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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-3970X

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8809G across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 18.8 PassMark/$ ($990 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
❌50% higher power demand at 150W vs 100W.

Core i7-8809G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $540 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Delivers 117.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.8 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Draws 100W instead of 150W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,448 vs 8,554).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-3970X

2012

Core i7-8809G

2018

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $540 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Delivers 117.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.8 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Draws 100W instead of 150W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8809G across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 18.8 PassMark/$ ($990 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
❌50% higher power demand at 150W vs 100W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,448 vs 8,554).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8809G better than Core i7-3970X?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-8809G is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3970X pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-3970X also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3970X is the better fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-8809G is the smarter buy today. Core i7-8809G is $540 cheaper on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $990 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-3970X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 117.3% better value on MSRP (18.8 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i7-8809G is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

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 i7-3970X Benchmark Check

Core i7-8809G Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
1080p
low	169 FPS	188 FPS
medium	144 FPS	149 FPS
high	116 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	94 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	151 FPS
medium	119 FPS	118 FPS
high	93 FPS	93 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	74 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	71 FPS
medium	57 FPS	59 FPS
high	45 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i7-3970X Open Core i7-8809G

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
1080p
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	206 FPS	211 FPS
high	186 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	151 FPS	191 FPS
1440p
low	209 FPS	211 FPS
medium	181 FPS	211 FPS
high	164 FPS	198 FPS
ultra	136 FPS	169 FPS
4K
low	164 FPS	208 FPS
medium	144 FPS	176 FPS
high	128 FPS	146 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	121 FPS

Open Core i7-3970X Open Core i7-8809G

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
1080p
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	214 FPS	211 FPS
high	214 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	211 FPS
1440p
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	214 FPS	211 FPS
high	214 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	211 FPS
4K
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	214 FPS	211 FPS
high	214 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	211 FPS

Open Core i7-3970X Open Core i7-8809G

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
1080p
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	214 FPS	211 FPS
high	214 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	211 FPS
1440p
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	214 FPS	211 FPS
high	214 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	211 FPS
4K
low	214 FPS	211 FPS
medium	214 FPS	211 FPS
high	214 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	211 FPS

Open Core i7-3970X Open Core i7-8809G

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3970X and Core i7-8809G

Core i7-3970X

The Core i7-3970X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,554 points. Launch price was $593.

Core i7-8809G

The Core i7-8809G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 8,448 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3970X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-8809G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-3970X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-3970X versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8809G — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-8809G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-3970X uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-8809G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3970X scores 8,554 against the Core i7-8809G's 8,448 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-3970X. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-3970X vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8809G.

Feature	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.2 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+88%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	8,554+1%	8,448
Geekbench 6 Single	742	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3970X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-8809G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3970X) / not specified (Core i7-8809G). Primary use case: Core i7-3970X targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3970X rivals FX-9590.

Feature	Core i7-3970X	Core i7-8809G
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	HEDT Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-3970X launched at $990 MSRP, while the Core i7-8809G debuted at $450. On MSRP ($990 vs $450), the Core i7-8809G is $540 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3970X delivers 8.6 pts/$ vs 18.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-8809G — making the Core i7-8809G the 73.9% better value option.