CPU
GPU
Core i7-4770R
Core i7-970
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 i7-4770R is positioned at rank 833 and the Core i7-970 is on rank 1063, so the Core i7-4770R offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4770R
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-970
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4770R | Core i7-970 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($89) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($289) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gulftown (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4770R | Core i7-970 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+225%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($89) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($289) |
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 i7-4770R and Core i7-970
Core i7-4770R
The Core i7-4770R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,561 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-970
The Core i7-970 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,547 points. Launch price was $662.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4770R packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-970 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-970 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770R versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-970 — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i7-4770R (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-4770R uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-970 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4770R scores 6,561 against the Core i7-970's 6,547 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-4770R. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-4770R vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-970.
| Feature | Core i7-4770R | Core i7-970 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+13% | 3.46 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 12 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Gulftown (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 6,561 | 6,547 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,163 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,204 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4770R uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-970 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i7-4770R supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 24 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-4770R) vs 3 (Core i7-970). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-4770R) vs 36 (Core i7-970) — the Core i7-970 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-4770R | Core i7-970 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1364 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+33% | 24 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 3+50% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 36+125% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-4770R) vs VT-x (Core i7-970). The Core i7-4770R includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Core i7-970 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-970 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-4770R | Core i7-970 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Iris Pro Graphics 5200 | — |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-4770R launched at $360 MSRP, while the Core i7-970 debuted at $1083. At current prices ($89 vs $289), the Core i7-4770R is $200 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4770R delivers 73.7 pts/$ vs 22.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-970 — making the Core i7-4770R the 106% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-4770R | Core i7-970 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $360-67% | $1083 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $89-69% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 73.7+225% | 22.7 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2010 |
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