CPU
GPU
Ryzen 5 5500U
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
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 Ryzen 5 5500U is positioned at rank 73 and the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is on rank 943, so the Ryzen 5 5500U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5500U
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5500U | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($175) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) / 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5500U | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($175) |
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 Ryzen 5 5500U and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Ryzen 5 5500U
The Ryzen 5 5500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,736 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 5 5500U and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5500U. The Ryzen 5 5500U uses the Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5500U scores 12,736 against the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition's 12,900 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 742, a 38.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5500U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5500U vs 15 MB on the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500U | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+14% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 15 MB+88% |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 1,536 kB+200% |
| Process | 7 nm-78% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Lucienne-U (Zen 2) (2021) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 12,736 | 12,900+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,900 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,100+48% | 742 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,200 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5500U uses the FP6 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition uses FCLGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 3200 MHz on the Ryzen 5 5500U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition — the Ryzen 5 5500U supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5500U) vs 4 (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition). PCIe lanes: 12 (Ryzen 5 5500U) vs 40 (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition) — the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FP6 (Ryzen 5 5500U) and X79 (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500U | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP6 | FCLGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4 3200 MHz+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 40+233% |
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: true (Ryzen 5 5500U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition). The Ryzen 5 5500U includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (Vega 7)), while the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500U targets Mobile, Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition rivals FX-9590.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500U | Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | AMD Radeon Graphics (Vega 7) | None |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile | HEDT Desktop |
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