Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-970

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Core i7-3930K compared with Core i7-970

	IntelCore i7-3930K	IntelCore i7-970
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	July 2010
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	6
Threads
Threads	12	12
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.8 GHz (better)	3.46 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB
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.	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading. Clubic and bit-tech explicitly describe a multiplier locked upwards; base-clock overclocking remains possible.
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.	3.2 GHz base and up to 3.46 GHz Turbo Boost. Intel lists Q3 2010. July on-sale precision uses TechSpot's contemporary 19 July 2010 report of the exact processor in stock; a maker-confirmed first-sale day was not found.
Cache
Cache	–	12 MB shared L3 cache.
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.	Intel's exact-model comparison chart lists no processor graphics.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1366
Base power
Base power	130 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	Yes
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.	DDR3-1066 rated maximum in Intel's exact-model chart; Clubic confirms three-channel memory. Optional maximum capacity is omitted.
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes according to Intel's specification page.	Intel's WX58BP processor compatibility table lists a 4.8 GT/s QPI connection for the exact i7-970. PCIe expansion is provided by the chipset, so no CPU lane count is assumed.
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; Gulftown.
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's 32 nm Core i7-900 datasheet includes an unattached fan heatsink with boxed processors. Clubic describes the supplied copper-base tower cooler; second-hand and tray packages may differ.