Intel Core i7-970 vs AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-970 or Intel Core i7-970 – 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 i7-970 features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-970, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2020 and belongs to the 4 generation of the AMD Ryzen 9 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i7 900 Group AMD Ryzen 5000
1 Generation 4
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-970 Name AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Intel Core i7 Family AMD Ryzen 9
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-970 has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-970 is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.46 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.9 GHz.
12 Threads 32
6x Cores 16x
6 CPU Cores 16
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking Yes
3.46 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.9 GHz
3.2 GHz Frequency 3.4 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-970 does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 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 24.0 GB distributed across 3 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 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
No AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1066 Memory type DDR4-3200
No ECC Yes
24.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
3 Memory channels 2
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 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 105 W watts.
None TDP (PL2) 142 W
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 105 W
-- Tjunction max 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-970 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 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 64.0 MB cache.
Q3/2010 Release date Q4/2020
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
32 nm Technology 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
594 $ Release price 799 $
Gulftown Architecture Vermeer (Zen 3)
12.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1366 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
1.5 MB L2-Cache 8.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
45910
45910
Intel Core i7-970
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
6517
6517

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
16606
16606
Intel Core i7-970
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
3263
3263

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
13214
13214
Intel Core i7-970
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
2654
2654

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
12265
12265
Intel Core i7-970
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
2209
2209

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
2215
2215
Intel Core i7-970
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
620
620

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
1759
1759
Intel Core i7-970
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
582
582