i7-980 vs i9-9900K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9900K
2018
8 cores / 16 threads, 95 Watt
11.49
+163%
Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.37

Core i9-9900K outperforms Core i7-980 by a whopping 163% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking6861356
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation7.920.22
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i9 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency11.453.18
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-R (2018−2019)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release date8 October 2018 (6 years ago)26 June 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$488$1,109

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9900K has 3500% better value for money than i7-980.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900K 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed3.6 GHz3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed5 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s4.8 GT/s
L1 cache512 KB64 KB (per core)
L2 cache2 MB256 KB (per core)
L3 cache16 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size178 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C69 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900K 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketLGA-1151FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
SIPP+-
Demand Based Switchingno data-

Security technologies

Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+no data
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB24 GB
Max memory channels23
Maximum memory bandwidth44.668 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630no data
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes16no data

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.

i9-9900K 11.49
+163%
i7-980 4.37

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.

i9-9900K 18250
+163%
i7-980 6941

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 11.49 4.37
Recency 8 October 2018 26 June 2011
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 130 Watt

i9-9900K has a 162.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 36.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-9900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900K and Core i7-980, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-9900K
Core i9-9900K
Intel Core i7-980
Core i7-980

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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