Core 2 Extreme QX9770 vs Core i7-6970HQ

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

4 Cores4 Thrd136 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2008

Core i7-6970HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd1 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

4 / 4

4,611

0.0%

4,632

+0.5%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is positioned at rank 1088 and the Core i7-6970HQ is on rank 486, so the Core i7-6970HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9770

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

94459%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

89255%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

64806%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

19523%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

15465%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

13528%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

7748%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

7647%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

6963%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

6962%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

6885%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

6699%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

6605%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

6578%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

6519%

#1088

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399

100%

#1089

Athlon 64 X2 5600+

MSRP: $505|Avg: $15

100%

#1090

Athlon 64 2000+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

100%

#1091

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

MSRP: $485|Avg: $78

99%

#1092

Celeron 2.30

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1093

Phenom X4 9450e

MSRP: $450|Avg: $430

98%

#1094

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

MSRP: $354|Avg: $20

94%

#1095

Athlon 64 3000+

MSRP: $149|Avg: $10

92%

#1096

Athlon XP 3100+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

86%

#1097

Athlon 64 3300+

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

79%

#1098

Athlon 64 2800+

MSRP: $178|Avg: $15

72%

#1099

Athlon 64 3700+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $20

69%

#1100

Athlon 64 FX-72

MSRP: $799|Avg: $40

68%

#1101

Athlon 64 X2 4200+

MSRP: $581|Avg: $110

65%

#1102

Athlon 64 3500+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $10

64%

#1103

Pentium D 830

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

59%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6970HQ

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

99%

#474

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

633%

#475

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

624%

#476

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

573%

#477

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

570%

#478

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

565%

#480

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

546%

#481

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

523%

#482

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

522%

#483

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

508%

#486

Core i7-6970HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-6970HQ (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i7-6970HQ
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i7-6970HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Benchmark Check

Core i7-6970HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Extreme QX9770 and Core i7-6970HQ

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 136 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,611 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i7-6970HQ

The Core i7-6970HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,632 points. Launch price was $623.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-6970HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-6970HQ — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-6970HQ (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 scores 4,611 against the Core i7-6970HQ's 4,632 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-6970HQ. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6970HQ.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i7-6970HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB
L2 Cache	12 MB (total)+1100%	1 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,611	4,632
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,200	—
Geekbench 6 Single	451	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,583	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i7-6970HQ
Socket	LGA775	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Extreme QX9770) / not specified (Core i7-6970HQ). Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme QX9770 targets Enthusiast.