Intel Core i7-3970X vs AMD FX-8350

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-3970X or Intel Core i7-3970X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-3970X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3970X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The AMD FX-8350 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2012 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD FX series.
To use the AMD FX-8350, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3+ socket.
Intel Core i 3000X Group AMD FX-8000
3 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3970X Name AMD FX-8350
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD FX
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3970X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3970X is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD FX-8350 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD FX-8350 is 4.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.
12 Threads 8
6x Cores 8x
6 CPU Cores 8
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.2 GHz
3.5 GHz Frequency 4.0 GHz
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 4.1 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3970X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD FX-8350 does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1600 Memory type
No ECC Yes
64.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
4 Memory channels 2
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth --
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 150 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
150 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 125 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3970X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD FX-8350 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q4/2012 Release date Q4/2012
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization AMD-V
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, FMA3, FMA4
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design --
820 $ Release price 170 $
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Vishera (Bulldozer)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011 Socket AM3+
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
19425
19425
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
11164
11164

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
8517
8517
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
5992
5992

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
4981
4981
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
2777
2777

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3512
3512
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
2361
2361

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3350
3350
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
2144
2144

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
2623
2623
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
1543
1543

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
1065
1065
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
665
665

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
812
812
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
573
573

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
742
742
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
576
576

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
691.3
691.3

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
135
135
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
96
96

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
10.1
10.1
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
6.9
6.9

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
1.6
1.6
AMD FX-8350
8C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
1.1
1.1