Intel Core i7-2700K vs Core i7-980X

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Combined performance score

i7-980X
4.45
+19.6%

Core i7-980X outperforms Core i7-2700K by 20% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking12281367
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money2.361.92
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore i7 (Desktop)
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date16 March 2010 (14 years old)24 October 2011 (12 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$959$514
Current price$112 (0.1x MSRP)$90 (0.2x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-980X has 23% better value for money than i7-2700K.

Technical specs

Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.33 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.9 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size239 mm2216 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C73 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million1,160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1366LGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVXno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Identity Protectionno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB32 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.35 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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.

i7-980X 4.45
+19.6%
i7-2700K 3.72

Core i7-980X outperforms Core i7-2700K by 20% in our combined benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i7-980X 6833
+19.4%
i7-2700K 5721

Core i7-980X outperforms Core i7-2700K by 19% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-980X 554
i7-2700K 664
+19.9%

Core i7-2700K outperforms Core i7-980X by 20% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-980X 2601
+14.8%
i7-2700K 2266

Core i7-980X outperforms Core i7-2700K by 15% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

Benchmark coverage: 4%

i7-980X 7930
+49.6%
i7-2700K 5300

Core i7-980X outperforms Core i7-2700K by 50% in 3DMark Fire Strike Physics.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 4.45 3.72
Recency 16 March 2010 24 October 2011
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Cost $959 $514
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

The Core i7-980X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-2700K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980X and Core i7-2700K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

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


Intel Core i7-980X
Core i7-980X
Intel Core i7-2700K
Core i7-2700K

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Questions and comments

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