Intel Core i7-14700K vs Intel Core i7-3970X

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Core i7-14700K compared with Core i7-3970X

	IntelCore i7-14700K	IntelCore i7-3970X
Overview
Released
Released	October 2023	November 2012
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	20 (8 performance, 12 efficiency) (better)	6
Threads
Threads	28 (better)	12
Base clock
Base clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	5.6 GHz (better)	4 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	33 MB (better)	15 MB
Cores
Cores	8 Performance-cores and 12 Efficient-cores, with Hyper-Threading; codename Raptor Lake	Sandy Bridge-E; 6 cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier is confirmed by the exact-model reviews.
Clocks
Clocks	P-core base 3.4 GHz, max turbo 5.5 GHz; E-core base 2.5 GHz, max turbo 4.3 GHz; Turbo Boost Max 3.0 5.6 GHz	Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.00 GHz. November retail availability is established by Golem’s 14 November 2012 report of the exact model being offered by German retailers; Intel gives Q4 2012. An exact maker first-sale day was not established.
Cache
Cache	33 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 28 MB L2	–
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	Yes	No
Graphics
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770, 32 execution units, up to 1.6 GHz; outputs eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1; up to 4 displays	No processor graphics, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model comparison-chart row; a separate graphics solution is required.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
Base power
Base power	125 W	150 W
Maximum power
Maximum power	253 W	–
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	–	No
Memory support
Memory support	Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s or up to DDR4 3200 MT/s; 2 channels, up to 192 GB; ECC supported	Four channels of DDR3-1066/1333/1600; maximum bandwidth 51.2 GB/s; no ECC. Current Intel ARK gives an anomalous 64.45 GB maximum memory size; that literal wording is retained here without treating it as a reliable numeric limit.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 5.0 and 4.0; 20 lanes (Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4); DMI 4.0 x8	40 CPU lanes; PCIe 2.0 according to the current Intel specification page.
Chipsets
Chipsets	Intel 600 and 700 series	X79 and LGA2011, confirmed by the exact-model reviews.
Process
Process	Intel 7	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package size 52.5 × 45.0 mm.
Cooler
Cooler	max operating temperature 100 °C; thermal specification PCG 2020A	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product; a separate compatible cooler is required.