Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3970X 6-core LGA2011
The 32nm hexa-core design with a 4.0GHz boost clock and quad-channel DDR3 memory controller delivers strong multi-threaded throughput for its era, reflected in its 8603 PassMark score. Its unlocked multiplier on the LGA2011 socket provides straightforward overclocking headroom for enthusiasts seeking extra performance from the aging platform. This processor is best for legacy workstation users maintaining older rendering or virtualization rigs where replacing the entire board and RAM ecosystem is cost-prohibitive.
Cores 6
Threads 12
Boost Clock 4000 MHz
L3 Cache 15 MB
TDP 150 W
Socket LGA 2011
46 Overall Score
Price $225
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong platform (74th percentile) 74th
Cons
- Below average social proof (24th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Core i7 Extreme Edition |
| Model | 3970X |
| Codename | Sandy Bridge-E |
| Class | desktop |
| Process | 32 |
Cores & Clocks
| Cores | 6 |
| Threads | 12 |
| Base Clock | 3500 |
| Boost Clock | 4000 |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 1.5 |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB |
Performance
| PassMark Multi | 8603 |
| PassMark Single | 1846 |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR3 |
| Max Speed | 1600 |
| Channels | 4 |
Platform & Power
| Socket | LGA 2011 |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 |
| TDP | 150 |
| Unlocked | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3970X | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Dell Xeon E5-2637 V2 | be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 | DAKboard CPU v4 | Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7 CSF-AM5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 6 | 32 | 4 | 4 | - |
| Threads | 12 | 12 | 64 | 4 | - | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 4000 | 5400 | 3500 | 3400 | - | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 15 | 32 | 256 | 8 | - | - |
| Tdp W | 150 | 65 | 200 | 270 | - | - |
| Socket | LGA 2011 | AM5 | Socket A/Socket 462 (PGA 462) | AM4 | BGA | AM5 |
| Integrated Graphics | - | AMD Radeon Graphics | No | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AI | Feature | Platform | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Social Proof | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3970X | 55.9 | 62.2 | 74.1 | 41.8 | 58.5 | 24.2 | 46.7 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Compare | 84.8 | 93.3 | 95.1 | 94.7 | 86 | 96.5 | 96.7 |
| Dell Xeon E5-2637 V2 Compare | 99.1 | 90.7 | 76.2 | 97.3 | 99.2 | 1.5 | 89.3 |
| be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 Compare | 47.6 | 62.2 | 60.5 | 32.5 | 44.1 | 90.7 | 50.2 |
| DAKboard CPU v4 Compare | 12.6 | 20.1 | 17.5 | 11.9 | 17 | 59.7 | 20 |
| Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7 CSF-AM5 Compare | 3.3 | 20.1 | 17.5 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 96.5 | 3.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From $79
Newegg 1 offer From $79
Amazon 1 offer From $225
Price History
New Open Box / Refurbished
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
