iXBT Labs - Intel Core i7-3970X Processor Extreme Edition

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Processors progressed much in 2012. The LGA1155 and AM3+ platforms were improved, and the whole new FM2 platform entered the market. As a result, the desktop version of LGA2011 was cannibalized and paled into insignificance. Its cheapest CPU, Core i7-3820, yields to Core i7-3770, which offers integrated graphics, four cores, and newer microarchitecture for the same money. Moreover, the prices of LGA2011 motherboards start from $200 when you can get a decent LGA1155 one for just $100 (or a simpler one for just $50).

The cheapest LGA2011 processor that makes sense is Core i7-3930K. It has no counterparts but costs a solid $600, staying above the middle range. Both Core i7-3930K and extreme Core i7-3960X remained the most powerful desktop solutions, even though they were released (and reviewed) a year ago. Today we can dust off those results: the brand new extreme Core i7-3970X is out!

The new Intel processor has six cores. The basic Sandy Bridge-E design features eight, but in our case two cores and a part of the L3 cache are locked. In Core i7-3970X the standard core clock is increased by 200 MHz to 3.5 GHz (vs. the 3.3 GHz of i7-3960X). Besides, the maximum core clock is increased by 100 GHz, reaching a psychological barrier of 4 GHz (AMD has done it first with FX-8150). Under full load the 12 threads of Core i7-3970X require much power, so the TDP is increased to 150 W, the highest for Intel desktop processors as yet (with the exception of Core 2 Extreme Q9775).

The new Intel Core i7-3970X can certainly attract gamers, because it officially supports PCIe 3.0, unlike the previous LGA2011 processors. Now, let's take a closer look at the novelty.

Testbeds

Our testbeds include the top processors for the LGA2011, AM3+, LGA1366, LGA1156, AM3, and even AM2+ platforms.

CPU	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-3770K	Core i7-990X	Core i7-880
Core	Sandy Bridge-E	Ivy Bridge	Gulftown	Lynnfield
Process technology, nm	32	22	32	45
Core clock (std/max), GHz	3.5/4.0	3.5/3.9	3.47/3.73	3.06/3.73
Cores/threads	6/12	4/8	6/12	4/8
L1 cache (sum), I/D, KB (per core)	192/192	128/128	192/192	128/128
L2 cache, KB	6 x 256	4 x 256	6 x 256	4 x 256
L3 cache, MB	15	8	12	8
Uncore clock, GHz	3.5	3.5	2.66	2.4
RAM	4 x DDR3-1600	2 x DDR3-1600	3 x DDR3-1333	2 x DDR3-1333
GPU	-	HD 4000	-	-
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1155	LGA1366	LGA1156
TDP, W	150	77	130	95

CPU	FX-8350	Phenom II X6 1100T	Phenom II X4 940
Core	Vishera	Thuban	Deneb
Process technology, nm	32	45	45
Core clock (std/max), GHz	4.2/4.3	3.3/3.7	3.0
Cores/threads	8/8	6/6	4/4
L1 Cache (sum), I/D, KB	256/128	384/384	256/256
L2 Cache, KB	4 x 2048	6 x 512	4 x 512
L3 Cache, MB	8	6	6
Uncore clock, GHz	2.2	2.0	1.8
RAM	2 x DDR3-1866	2 x DDR3-1333	2 x DDR2-1066
GPU	-	-	-
Socket	AM3+	AM3	AM2+
TDP, W	125	125	125

In spite of Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge-E capabilities, we are still using DDR3-1333 RAM with Intel processors in our testbeds to simplify comparison. According to our tests, using DDR-1600 hardly changes anything anyway.

Socket	Motherboard	RAM
LGA2011	ASUS P9X79 (X79)	Corsair Dominator Platinum CMD16GX3M4A2666C10 (4 x 1333; 9-9-9-24)
LGA1366	Intel DX58SO2 (X58)	12 GB DDR3 (3 x 1333; 9-9-9-24)
LGA1155	Biostar TH67XE (H67)	Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (2 x 1333; 9-9-9-24)
LGA1156	ASUS P7H55-M Pro (H55)	Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (2 x 1333; 9-9-9-24)
AM3+	ASUS Crosshair V Formula (990 FX)	G.Skill [RipjawsX] F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL (2x1866; 9-10-9-28)
AM3	ASUS M4A78T-E (790GX)	Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (2 x 1333; 9-9-9-24-2T, Unganged Mode)
AM2+	ASUS M3A78-T (790GX)	8 GB DDR2 (2 x 800; 5-5-5-18; Unganged Mode)

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Intel Core i7-3970X Processor Extreme Edition

The newest Extreme Edition powerhouse.

Testbeds