Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition

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Core i7-3970X compared with Core i7-990X Extreme Edition

	IntelCore i7-3970X	IntelCore i7-990X Extreme Edition
Overview
Released
Released	November 2012	February 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	6
Threads
Threads	12	12
Base clock
Base clock	3.5 GHz	3.46 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4 GHz (better)	3.73 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	15 MB (better)	12 MB
Cores
Cores	Sandy Bridge-E; 6 cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier is confirmed by the exact-model reviews.	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading; unlocked multiplier confirmed by bit-tech’s exact review.
Clocks
Clocks	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.	3.46 GHz base and up to 3.73 GHz Turbo Boost. Intel gives Q1 2011; contemporary TechSpot launch coverage and Newegg’s exact listing support February availability. 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, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model comparison-chart row; 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	150 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	Yes
Memory support
Memory support	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.	Three-channel DDR3-1066 in Intel’s exact-model chart.
PCIe
PCIe	40 CPU lanes; PCIe 2.0 according to the current Intel specification page.	The exact Newegg listing specifies 6.4 GT/s QPI. No processor PCIe lane count is assumed for this chipset-based platform.
Chipsets
Chipsets	X79 and LGA2011, confirmed by the exact-model reviews.	–
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package size 52.5 × 45.0 mm.	32 nm; Gulftown.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product; a separate compatible cooler is required.	Intel's 32 nm Core i7-900 datasheet includes an unattached fan heatsink with boxed processors. Tray and second-hand packages may differ.