Intel Core i7-970 vs Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition

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Core i7-970 compared with Core i7-990X Extreme Edition

	IntelCore i7-970	IntelCore i7-990X Extreme Edition
Overview
Released
Released	July 2010	February 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	6
Threads
Threads	12	12
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.46 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.46 GHz	3.73 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB
Cores
Cores	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading. Clubic and bit-tech explicitly describe a multiplier locked upwards; base-clock overclocking remains possible.	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading; unlocked multiplier confirmed by bit-tech’s exact review.
Clocks
Clocks	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.	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.	12 MB shared L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	Intel's exact-model comparison chart lists no processor graphics.	Intel's exact-model comparison chart lists no processor graphics.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1366
Base power
Base power	130 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	No	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	Yes	Yes
Memory support
Memory support	DDR3-1066 rated maximum in Intel's exact-model chart; Clubic confirms three-channel memory. Optional maximum capacity is omitted.	Three-channel DDR3-1066 in Intel’s exact-model chart.
PCIe
PCIe	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.	The exact Newegg listing specifies 6.4 GT/s QPI. No processor PCIe lane count is assumed for this chipset-based platform.
Process
Process	32 nm; Gulftown.	32 nm; Gulftown.
Cooler
Cooler	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.	Intel's 32 nm Core i7-900 datasheet includes an unattached fan heatsink with boxed processors. Tray and second-hand packages may differ.