Core i7-3970X

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-3970X

Sysbuilds Alpha Stage!

Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i7-3970X based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

5,132 Rank: 765
Rank Name Score Visual
761 FX-8300 5,140
+0.2%
762 Core i7-4960HQ 5,138
+0.1%
763 Core i3-8300 5,136
+0.1%
764 Ryzen 3 2300X 5,134
+0%
765 Core i7-3970X 5,132
766 Core i7-4820K 5,132
+0%
767 Xeon E3-1220 v6 5,131
+-0%
768 Core i5-4590 5,131
+-0%
769 Core i5-7260U 5,129
-0.1%
770 Core i7-8750H 5,127
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-3970X based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

5,080 Rank: 579
Rank Name Score Visual
575 Core i3-8350K 5,084
+0.1%
576 Ryzen 5 4600HS 5,084
+0.1%
577 Core i7 X 000 5,083
+0.1%
578 Core i5-6600K 5,080
+0%
579 Core i7-3970X 5,080
580 Core i5-10500T 5,080
+0%
581 Xeon E3-1240 v6 5,079
+-0%
582 Xeon E5-2695 v2 5,076
-0.1%
583 Xeon E-2324G 5,075
-0.1%
584 Core i7-8700B 5,072
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-3970X based on single-threaded benchmark results.

5,167 Rank: 836
Rank Name Score Visual
832 Core i7-3770K 5,171
+0.1%
833 Core i7-3930K 5,171
+0.1%
834 Ryzen 3 5300U 5,169
+0%
835 Xeon E5-1660 v2 5,168
+0%
836 Core i7-3970X 5,167
837 Ryzen Embedded V1605B 5,165
+-0%
838 Ryzen 3 PRO 3300U 5,164
-0.1%
839 Ryzen 5 7520U 5,164
-0.1%
840 Core i3-6100T 5,163
-0.1%
841 Core i5-5257U 5,163
-0.1%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i7-3970X based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,749 Rank: 582
Rank Name Score Visual
578 Core i5-1145G7 4,754
+0.1%
579 Xeon E-2234 4,752
+0.1%
580 Core i7-5775C 4,751
+0%
581 Core i7-7740X 4,749
+0%
582 Core i7-3970X 4,749
583 Xeon E-2244G 4,748
+-0%
584 Xeon E-2174G 4,747
+-0%
585 Core i7-7700K 4,747
+-0%
586 Core i5-8500B 4,746
-0.1%
587 Xeon E5-2650L v2 4,746
-0.1%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-3970X based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,817 Rank: 540
Rank Name Score Visual
536 Xeon E-2176M 4,822
+0.1%
537 Ryzen 5 2400G 4,822
+0.1%
538 Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U 4,820
+0.1%
539 Core i7-9750HF 4,820
+0.1%
540 Core i7-3970X 4,817
541 Ryzen 5 1500X 4,814
-0.1%
542 Xeon E5-2643 v2 4,814
-0.1%
543 Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G 4,813
-0.1%
544 Ryzen 3 5300U 4,813
-0.1%
545 Xeon E-2226G 4,812
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-3970X based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,786 Rank: 598
Rank Name Score Visual
594 Core i5-8400T 4,788
+0%
595 Ryzen 5 2600 4,787
+0%
596 Core i7-10710U 4,787
+0%
597 Core i7-8809G 4,786
+0%
598 Core i7-3970X 4,786
599 Xeon E5-2670 4,786
+0%
600 Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 4,785
+-0%
601 Core i7-7700 4,783
-0.1%
602 Ryzen 5 1600X 4,783
-0.1%
603 Core i5-7640X 4,782
-0.1%

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Core i7-3970X Details

Built on Intel's Sandy Bridge-E architecture at a 32 nm process node, the Core i7-3970X represents a high-end desktop processor that was released in November 2012. While now over a decade old, it was positioned as a flagship offering in Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, targeting enthusiasts and power users who required raw computational performance. The processor features six cores and twelve threads, enabled by Intel Hyper-Threading technology, and operates at a base frequency of 3.5 GHz with a turbo boost up to 4.0 GHz. Its 15 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel DDR3 memory support contribute to its ability to handle demanding workloads, though its 150 W TDP indicates significant power consumption and thermal demands.

The Core i7-3970X is designed for the LGA-1150 socket, a platform that supports a wide range of Intel processors, and it is capable of delivering strong performance in multi-threaded applications. It supports DDR3 memory with a maximum rated speed of 1600 MT/s and offers a memory bandwidth of up to 51.2 GB/s. The processor integrates the HD Graphics 4600 GPU, which operates at a base frequency of 350 MHz and can boost to 1200 MHz, supporting up to three displays. Despite its integrated graphics, the processor is primarily intended for systems with discrete GPUs, as it lacks dedicated video processing capabilities.

In terms of features, the Core i7-3970X includes support for advanced instruction sets such as AVX, SSE, and AES-NI, enhancing performance in multimedia and encryption tasks. It also supports hardware virtualization technologies like Intel VT-x and VT-d, enabling efficient virtual machine operation. The processor supports ECC memory, though this is typically limited to server or workstation environments. With a transistor count of 2.27 billion, the chip demonstrates the complexity of its design, and its unlocked multiplier allows for easy overclocking, a feature that appealed to overclocking enthusiasts at the time of its release.

Benchmark results place the Core i7-3970X at an overall score of 5132, ranking it #765 among 2060 processors, with a single-core score of 5167 (#836) and a multicore score of 5080 (#578). These scores highlight that while the processor is competitive in single-threaded tasks, its multicore performance is slightly behind modern offerings. It outperforms several contemporary CPUs, including the Xeon E3-1240 v6 and Xeon E5-2695 v2, but trails behind more recent processors like the Ryzen 5 4600HS and Ryzen 5 5500U. Its multicore performance is particularly strong compared to older models such as the Core i5-4590 and Core i7-8750H, but it is significantly outpaced by today’s top-tier CPUs.

As of March 2026, the Core i7-3970X is best suited for legacy systems or niche applications where its high clock speeds and extensive cache can still provide value. While it is no longer competitive in mainstream markets, its historical significance and overclocking potential make it a notable processor in Intel’s lineage. For users requiring modern performance, it is advisable to consider more recent architectures, but for those maintaining older systems or interested in retro computing, the i7-3970X remains a capable and well-documented option.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X 3 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 2 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 2 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 1 view

Intel Core i7-7500U 1 view

Intel Core i7-6500U 1 view

Intel Core i7-3970X

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-3970X
Model Number: i7-3970X
Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Base Frequency: 3500 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 35x (unlocked)
Core Name: Sandy Bridge-E
Socket: FCLGA1150
Package: FC-LGA10
Target Segment: Desktop
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 150 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 14.305 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 1066/1333/1600
Memory Channels: 4
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 40
PCIe Configuration: Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 4600
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1200 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Die Area: 435 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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