Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Core i7-8700
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-8700
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-3970X Extreme Edition is positioned at rank 943 and the Core i7-8700 is on rank 483, so the Core i7-8700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($175) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+57%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($175) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-8700
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.
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 |
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 28.6% 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 — 66.7% 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+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition launched at $990 MSRP, while the Core i7-8700 debuted at $303. At current prices ($175 vs $110), the Core i7-8700 is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition delivers 73.7 pts/$ vs 115.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700 — making the Core i7-8700 the 44.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $990 | $303-69% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $175 | $110-37% |
| Performance per Dollar | 73.7 | 115.9+57% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2017 |
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