CPU
GPU
Core i7-6970HQ
Core 2 Extreme QX9770
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 i7-6970HQ is positioned at rank 486 and the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is on rank 1088, so the Core i7-6970HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6970HQ
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9770
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6970HQ | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6970HQ | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399) |
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 i7-6970HQ and Core 2 Extreme QX9770
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-6970HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core 2 Extreme QX9770's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-6970HQ versus 3.2 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-6970HQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-6970HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6970HQ scores 4,632 against the Core 2 Extreme QX9770's 4,611 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-6970HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-6970HQ vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770.
| Feature | Core i7-6970HQ | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+16% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.2 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 12 MB (total)+1100% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 4,632 | 4,611 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 2,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 451 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,583 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-6970HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-6970HQ | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6970HQ) / VT-x (Core 2 Extreme QX9770). Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme QX9770 targets Enthusiast.
| Feature | Core i7-6970HQ | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Enthusiast |
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