Processor comparison
Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Core i5-6600K
Intel
Intel Core i7-3970X
Intel Socket 2011
3500 MHz
6 cores
Nov 2012
DESKTOP
VS
Intel
Intel Core i5-6600K
Intel Socket 1151
3500 MHz
4 cores
Jul 2015
DESKTOP
Summary
Synthetic performance index
- Intel Core i7-3970X124%
- Intel Core i5-6600K100%
Relative performance
Single thread performance index
- Intel Core i7-3970X100%
- Intel Core i5-6600K117%
Relative performance
Multi thread performance index
- Intel Core i7-3970X163%
- Intel Core i5-6600K100%
Relative performance
Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-3970X
- Much higher multi threaded performance (around 63% higher). This allows for higher performance in professional applications like encoding or heavy multitasking.
Reasons to consider the Intel Core i5-6600K
- 17% higher single threaded performance.
- 55 watts lower power draw.
- This is a newer product, it might have better application compatibility/performance (check features chart below).
- Has an integrated GPU, which allows to run the system without a dedicated graphics card, unlike the Intel Core i7-3970X.
Gaming
No clear winner declared
Productivity
HWSpot recommends the Intel Core i7-3970X
Based on productivity benchmarks, overall multithreaded performance and theoretical specifications.
Specifications
Features
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|
| MMX | | |
| SSE | | |
| SSE2 | | |
| SSE3 | | |
| SSSE3 | | |
| SSE4.2 | | |
| AVX | | |
| EIST | | |
| Intel 64 | | |
| XD bit | | |
| VT-x | | |
| VT-d | | |
| Hyper-Threading | | |
| AES-NI | | |
| AVX2 | | |
| CLMUL | | |
| FMA3 | | |
| F16C | | |
| BMI1 | | |
| BMI2 | | |
| Boost 2.0 | | |
Architecture
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|
| Architecture | Intel_SandyBridge | Intel_Skylake |
| Market | Desktop | Desktop |
| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |
| Codename | Sandy Bridge-E | Skylake |
| Release Date | Nov 2012 | Jul 2015 |
Cores
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|
| Cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| SMPs | 1 | 1 |
| Integrated Graphics | No | HD Graphics 530 |
Cache
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|
| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 Cache | 15360 KB (shared) | 6144 KB (shared) |
Physical
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|
| Socket | Intel Socket 2011 | Intel Socket 1151 |
| Max Case Temp | 70°C | 72°C |
| Package | FC-LGA10 | FC-LGA12C |
| Die Size | 435mm² | unknown |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm |
Performance
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-6600K |
|---|
| Cpu Frequency | 3500 MHz | 3500 MHz |
| Turbo Clock | 4000 MHz | 3900 MHz |
| Base Clock | 100 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Voltage | 1.35 V | unknown |
| TDP | 150 W | 95 W |
Raw performance index
Raw single-thread performance estimation
- Intel Core i7-3970X4000 points
- Intel Core i5-6600K4485 points
Points - higher is better
Raw multi-thread performance estimation
- Intel Core i7-3970X25200 points
- Intel Core i5-6600K16100 points
Points - higher is better
Synthetic benchmarks
GeekBench 3 (32-bit Multi Core)
- Intel Core i7-3970X20077
- Intel Core i5-6600K13321
points - higher is better
GeekBench 3 (64-bit Single Core)
- Intel Core i7-3970X3616
- Intel Core i5-6600K4677
points - higher is better
GeekBench 3 (64-bit Multi Core)
- Intel Core i7-3970X20578
- Intel Core i5-6600K15019
points - higher is better
GeekBench 3 (32-bit Single Core)
- Intel Core i7-3970X3477
- Intel Core i5-6600K4217
points - higher is better
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
- Intel Core i7-3970X (simulated)163.08
- Intel Core i5-6600K166
points - higher is better
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
- Intel Core i7-3970X (simulated)1228.18
- Intel Core i5-6600K602
points - higher is better