Core i7-980 vs Core i7-990X EE

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-990X EE
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.28
Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.48
+4.7%

Core i7-980 outperforms Core i7-990X EE by a small 5% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking12761244
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data1.19
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release dateno data26 June 2011 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$1,109
Current priceno data$219 (0.2x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980 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 speedno data3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed3.73 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus support6400 MHzno data
L1 cacheno data64 KB (per core)
L2 cacheno data256 KB (per core)
L3 cacheno data12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data239 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data69 °C
Number of transistorsno data1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980 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 configurationno data1
SocketLGA-1366FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NIno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data1.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoringno data-
Demand Based Switchingno data-
Statusno dataDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980 are enumerated here.

VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data24 GB
Max memory channelsno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980.

PCIe versionno data2.0

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.

i7-990X EE 4.28
i7-980 4.48
+4.7%

Core i7-980 outperforms Core i7-990X EE by 5% based on our aggregated 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%

i7-990X EE 6624
i7-980 6926
+4.6%

Core i7-980 outperforms Core i7-990X EE by 5% in Passmark.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.28 4.48

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X EE and Core i7-980, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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


Intel Core i7-990X EE
Core i7-990X EE
Intel Core i7-980
Core i7-980

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.3 45 votes

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4.3 39 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-990X EE or Core i7-980, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.