Xeon E5-2420 v2 vs i7-980

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.37
+9.3%
Xeon E5-2420 v2
2013
6 cores / 12 threads, 80 Watt
4.00

Core i7-980 outperforms Xeon E5-2420 v2 by a small 9% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13561427
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.221.36
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency3.184.73
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
Release date26 June 2011 (13 years ago)1 September 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,109$480

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon E5-2420 v2 has 518% better value for money than i7-980.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.33 GHz2.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz2.7 GHz
Bus rate4.8 GT/s7.2 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size239 mm2160 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °C76 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366FCLGA1356
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt80 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data-
Demand Based Switching-+
PAEno data46 Bit

Security technologies

Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB384 GB
Max memory channels33
Maximum memory bandwidthno data38.4 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanesno data24

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-980 4.37
+9.3%
Xeon E5-2420 v2 4.00

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-980 6941
+9.2%
Xeon E5-2420 v2 6356

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.37 4.00
Recency 26 June 2011 1 September 2013
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 80 Watt

i7-980 has a 9.3% higher aggregate performance score.

Xeon E5-2420 v2, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 62.5% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2.

Note that Core i7-980 is a desktop processor while Xeon E5-2420 v2 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980 and Xeon E5-2420 v2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-980
Core i7-980
Intel Xeon E5-2420 v2
Xeon E5-2420 v2

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-980 or Xeon E5-2420 v2, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.