CPU Comparison

Core i7-970 vs Intel Core i7-990X

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-970 is a high-end desktop processor launched in July 2010, based on the 32nm Gulftown architecture. It was notable for bringing 6 cores and 12 threads to a slightly more accessible price point than the Extreme Edition i7-980X. Operating at a base frequency of 3.2 GHz and boosting up to 3.466 GHz via Turbo Boost, it offered immense multi-threaded performance for its era. It features a massive 12 MB L3 cache and utilizes the LGA 1366 socket. The processor supports triple-channel DDR3 memory, providing exceptional memory bandwidth. With a 130W TDP, it required robust cooling. The Gulftown architecture was a die-shrink of Nehalem to 32nm, allowing Intel to fit 6 cores onto a single die. Although obsolete today, the i7-970 was a formidable CPU for content creators, 3D renderers, and enthusiasts who needed more than 4 cores without paying the Extreme Edition premium.