Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Core i7-8700

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.

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Core i7-8700 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Core i7-8700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.0 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($990 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $687 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Delivers 222.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 13.0 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,747 vs 12,900).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700 better than Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8700 is ahead with a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-8700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700 comes in $687 cheaper on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 222.9% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 13.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-8700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Core i7-8700 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

The Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Max frequency: 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1,536 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 12,900 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-8700 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700. The Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-8700 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition scores 12,900 against the Core i7-8700's 12,747 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 742 vs 1,535, a 69.7% lead for the Core i7-8700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700.

Feature	Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition	Core i7-8700
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.6 GHz+31%
Base Clock	—	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB+25%	12288 kB
L2 Cache	1,536 kB+500%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,900+1%	12,747
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,969
Geekbench 6 Single	742	1,535+107%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,200

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition uses the FCLGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-8700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 — the Core i7-8700 supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-8700 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition) vs 2 (Core i7-8700). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition) vs 16 (Core i7-8700) — the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X79 (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition) and 300-series (Core i7-8700).

Feature	Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition	Core i7-8700
Socket	FCLGA2011	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2666+67%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700). The Core i7-8700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop, Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition rivals FX-9590; Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition	Core i7-8700
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	HEDT Desktop	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition was priced at $990, while the Core i7-8700 came in at $303. On launch pricing ($990 vs $303), Core i7-8700 was $687 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition delivers 13.0 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700 — making the Core i7-8700 the 105.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition	Core i7-8700
MSRP	$990	$303-69%
Performance per Dollar	13.0	42.1+224%
Release Date	2012	2017

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