Core i7-6950X vs Core i9-7980XE
Aggregate performance score
Core i9-7980XE outperforms Core i7-6950X by an impressive 73% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 270 | 648 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 7.84 | 2.48 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i9 | Intel Core i7 (Desktop) |
| Architecture codename | Skylake (server) (2017−2019) | Broadwell-E (2016) |
| Release date | 1 September 2017 (6 years ago) | 31 May 2016 (8 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,999 | $1,723 |
| Current price | $993 (0.5x MSRP) | $687 (0.4x MSRP) |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
i9-7980XE has 216% better value for money than i7-6950X.
Detailed specifications
Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X 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 cores | 18 (Octadeca-Core) | 10 (Deca-Core) |
| Threads | 36 | 20 |
| Base clock speed | 2.6 GHz | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.4 GHz | 4 GHz |
| Bus support | 4 × 8 GT/s | 9.6 GT/s / QPI |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 32K (per core) |
| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| L3 cache | 24.75 MB (shared) | 25 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Die size | 484 mm2 | 246 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | 94 °C | 67° |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | no data | 72 °C |
| Number of transistors | no data | 3,800 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
Compatibility
Information on Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X 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 configuration | 1 | 1 |
| Socket | FCLGA2066 | FCLGA2011 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 165 Watt | 140 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512 | no data |
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | + |
| TSX | + | no data |
| Idle States | no data | + |
| Smart Response | no data | + |
| Turbo Boost Max 3.0 | + | + |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Security technologies
Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | + |
| EDB | + | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | + |
| VT-x | + | + |
| EPT | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4-2666 | DDR4 |
| Maximum memory size | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max memory channels | 4 | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 85 GB/s | no data |
| ECC memory support | - | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | N/A | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 44 | 40 |
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.
Core i9-7980XE outperforms Core i7-6950X by 73% based on our aggregate 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%
Core i9-7980XE outperforms Core i7-6950X by 73% 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%
Core i9-7980XE outperforms Core i7-6950X by 15% 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%
Core i9-7980XE outperforms Core i7-6950X by 37% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 19.50 | 11.26 |
| Recency | 1 September 2017 | 31 May 2016 |
| Physical cores | 18 | 10 |
| Threads | 36 | 20 |
| Cost | $1999 | $1723 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 165 Watt | 140 Watt |
The Core i9-7980XE is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6950X in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-6950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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