Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-3970X

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Core i7-3930K compared with Core i7-3970X

	IntelCore i7-3930K	IntelCore i7-3970X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	November 2012
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	6
Threads
Threads	12	12
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.8 GHz	4 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	12 MB	15 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Six cores with Hyper-Threading; twelve threads. Fully unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel's exact-model brief and the reviews. VT-d is supported only by C2 stepping according to Intel.	Sandy Bridge-E; 6 cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier is confirmed by the exact-model reviews.
Clocks
Clocks	Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.80 GHz. First-sale day comes from Legit Reviews' 14 November 2011 report of the exact boxed processor in stock at Newegg, cross-checked with Puget Systems' same-day launch coverage; Intel's specification page gives Q4 2011.	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.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	No processor graphics; Intel's exact-model comparison-chart row lists graphics as not applicable. A separate graphics solution is required.	No processor graphics, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model comparison-chart row; a separate graphics solution is required.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
Base power
Base power	130 W	150 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	Four channels of DDR3-1066/1333/1600; up to 51.2 GB/s, without ECC. Intel's later comparison chart incorrectly lists two channels; the original brief and current specification page both establish four.	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	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes according to Intel's specification page.	40 CPU lanes; PCIe 2.0 according to the current Intel specification page.
Chipsets
Chipsets	–	X79 and LGA2011, confirmed by the exact-model reviews.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package measures 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel states a 66.8°C maximum case temperature, not a junction-temperature rating.	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package size 52.5 × 45.0 mm.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly says the boxed processor has no fan or heatsink. Requires an LGA2011-compatible cooler and motherboard; Intel's product brief names the X79 platform.	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product; a separate compatible cooler is required.