Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i7-12700K | |
CPU comparisonIntel Core i7-3970X or Intel Core i7-12700K - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The Intel Core i7-3970X has 6 cores with 12 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.00 GHz. Up to 64 GB of memory is supported in 4 memory channels. The Intel Core i7-3970X was released in Q4/2012. The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 cores with 20 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 5.00 GHz. The CPU supports up to 128 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Intel Core i7-12700K was released in Q4/2021. |
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Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition (24) | Family | Intel Core i7 (298) |
Intel Core i 3000X (4) | CPU group | Intel Core i 12000 (34) |
3 | Generation | 12 |
Sandy Bridge E | Architecture | Alder Lake S |
Desktop / Server | Segment | Desktop / Server |
-- | Predecessor | Intel Core i7-11700K |
-- | Successor | Intel Core i7-13700K |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Intel Core i7-3970X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3970X is 3.50 GHz (4.00 GHz) while the Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 CPU cores and 20 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-12700K is at 3.60 GHz (5.00 GHz). |
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Intel Core i7-3970X | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-12700K |
6 | Cores | 12 |
12 | Threads | 20 |
normal | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
Yes | Hyperthreading | Yes |
Yes | Overclocking ? | Yes |
3.50 GHz (4.00 GHz) | A-Core | 3.60 GHz (5.00 GHz) 8x Golden Cove |
-- | B-Core | 2.70 GHz (3.80 GHz) 4x Gracemont |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The Intel Core i7-3970X or Intel Core i7-12700K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short. The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die. |
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no iGPU | GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
GPU frequency | 0.30 GHz | |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | 1.50 GHz |
-- | GPU Generation | 11 |
Technology | 10 nm | |
Max. displays | 3 | |
-- | Compute units | 32 |
-- | Shader | 256 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
-- | Max. GPU Memory | 64 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | 12 |
Hardware codec supportA photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos. |
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no iGPU | GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
No | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
No | Codec AVC | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
No | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Intel Core i7-3970X can use up to 64 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-12700K supports up to 128 GB of memory in 2 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 76.8 GB/s. |
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Intel Core i7-3970X | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-12700K |
DDR3-1600 | Memory | DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 |
64 GB | Max. Memory | 128 GB |
4 (Quad Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
51.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s |
No | ECC | Yes |
-- | L2 Cache | 12.00 MB |
15.00 MB | L3 Cache | 25.00 MB |
2.0 | PCIe version | 5.0 |
40 | PCIe lanes | 20 |
20.0 GB/s | PCIe Bandwidth | 78.8 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Intel Core i7-3970X is 150 W, while the Intel Core i7-12700K has a TDP of 125 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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Intel Core i7-3970X | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-12700K |
150 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 125 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | 190 W |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Intel Core i7-3970X is manufactured in 32 nm and has 15.00 MB cache. The Intel Core i7-12700K is manufactured in 10 nm and has a 37.00 MB cache. |
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Intel Core i7-3970X | Characteristic | Intel Core i7-12700K |
32 nm | Technology | 10 nm |
Monolithic | Chip design | Monolithic |
x86-64 (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | x86-64 (64 bit) |
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX | ISA extensions | SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ |
LGA 2011 | Socket | LGA 1700 |
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) | Virtualization | VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d |
Yes | AES-NI | Yes |
Windows 10, Linux | Operating systems | Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux |
Q4/2012 | Release date | Q4/2021 |
820 $ | Release price | 409 $ |
show more data | show more data | |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 3.60 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
@ 0.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
Intel UHD Graphics 770 @ 1.50 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 4.70 GHz |
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 4.00 GHz |
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Intel Core i7-12700K
12C 20T @ 5.00 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i7-12700K |
Unknown | Unknown |