Intel Core i7-980 vs Intel Core i7-980X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i7-980 CPU1 vs CPU2 Intel Core i7-980X
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980X

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i7-980 and the Intel Core i7-980X and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Intel Core i7-980 6 core processor released in Q2/2011 with the Intel Core i7-980X which has 6 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2010.
Intel Core i7 (298) Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition (24)
Intel Core i7 900 (4) CPU group Intel Core i7 900 (4)
1 Generation 1
Gulftown Architecture Gulftown
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
-- Predecessor --
-- Successor --

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-980 is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.33 GHz (3.60 GHz). The processor can compute 12 threads at the same time. The Intel Core i7-980X clocks with 3.33 GHz (3.60 GHz), has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.

Intel Core i7-980 Characteristic Intel Core i7-980X
6 Cores 6
12 Threads 12
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking ? Yes
3.33 GHz Frequency 3.33 GHz
3.60 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 Core) 3.60 GHz
-- Turbo Frequency (All Cores) --

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Intel Core i7-980 Characteristic Intel Core i7-980X
-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --

Internal Graphics

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

no iGPU GPU no iGPU
GPU frequency --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- GPU Generation --
Technology
Max. displays
-- Compute units --
-- Shader --
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
-- Max. GPU Memory --
-- DirectX Version --

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

no iGPU GPU no iGPU
No Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No Codec h264 No
No Codec VP9 No
No Codec VP8 No
No Codec AV1 No
No Codec AVC No
No Codec VC-1 No
No Codec JPEG No

Memory & PCIe

Up to 24 GB of memory in a maximum of 3 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i7-980, while the Intel Core i7-980X supports a maximum of 24 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s enabled.

Intel Core i7-980 Characteristic Intel Core i7-980X
DDR3-1066 Memory DDR3-1066
24 GB Max. Memory 24 GB
3 Memory channels 3
25.6 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
No ECC No
1.50 MB L2 Cache 1.50 MB
12.00 MB L3 Cache 12.00 MB
-- PCIe version --
-- PCIe lanes --
-- PCIe Bandwidth --

Thermal Management

The Intel Core i7-980 has a TDP of 130 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i7-980X is 130 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Intel Core i7-980 Characteristic Intel Core i7-980X
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-980 has 13.50 MB cache and is manufactured in 32 nm. The cache of Intel Core i7-980X is at 13.50 MB. The processor is manufactured in 32 nm.

Intel Core i7-980 Characteristic Intel Core i7-980X
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
LGA 1366 Socket LGA 1366
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
No AES-NI No
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Q2/2011 Release date Q1/2010
594 $ Release price 1059 $
show more data show more data


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Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Intel Core i7-980 (100%)
Intel Core i7-980X (100%)
⌀ Multi core performance in 4 CPU benchmarks
Intel Core i7-980 (98%)
Intel Core i7-980X (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz
614 (100%)
Intel Core i7-980X Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz
614 (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
3370 (99%)
Intel Core i7-980X Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
3391 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz
645 (100%)
Intel Core i7-980X Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.60 GHz
645 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2714 (95%)
Intel Core i7-980X Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2847 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
6895 (100%)
Intel Core i7-980X Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
6897 (100%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2275 (97%)
Intel Core i7-980X Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2354 (100%)

Devices using this processor

Intel Core i7-980 Intel Core i7-980X
Unknown Unknown

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