Intel Core i7-980X processor review

Intel Core i7-980X

Core i7-980X processor released by Intel; release date: March 2010. At the time of release, the processor cost $959. The processor is designed for desktop-computers and based on Gulftown microarchitecture.

CPU is unlocked for overclocking. Total number of cores - 6, threads - 12. Maximum CPU clock speed - 3.60 GHz. Maximum operating temperature - 67.9°C. Manufacturing process technology - 32 nm. Cache size: L1 - 64 KB (per core), L2 - 256 KB (per core), L3 - 12288 KB (shared).

Supported memory types: DDR3 1066. Maximum memory size: 24 GB.

Supported socket types: FCLGA1366. Maximum number of processors in a configuration - 1. Power consumption (TDP): 130 Watt.

Benchmarks

PassMark
Single thread mark
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
4870
1526
PassMark
CPU mark
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
156834
6826
Geekbench 4
Single Core
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
5311
628
Geekbench 4
Multi-Core
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
36691
3462
3DMark Fire Strike
Physics Score
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
25463
0
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Face Detection
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
97.640 mPixels/s
1.652 mPixels/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Ocean Surface Simulation
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
741.453 Frames/s
48.420 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
T-Rex
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
4.623 Frames/s
0.512 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Video Composition
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
49.002 Frames/s
1.942 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Bitcoin Mining
Top 1 CPU
This CPU
218.231 mHash/s
7.262 mHash/s
Name Value
PassMark - Single thread mark 1526
PassMark - CPU mark 6826
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 628
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 3462
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 0
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection 1.652 mPixels/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation 48.420 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex 0.512 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition 1.942 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining 7.262 mHash/s

Specifications (specs)

Essentials

Architecture codename Gulftown
Launch date March 2010
Launch price (MSRP) $959
Place in performance rating 2573
Price now $218.99
Processor Number i7-980X
Series Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status Discontinued
Value for money (0-100) 11.82
Vertical segment Desktop

Performance

64 bit support
Base frequency 3.33 GHz
Bus Speed 6.4 GT/s QPI
Die size 239 mm2
L1 cache 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache 256 KB (per core)
L3 cache 12288 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology 32 nm
Maximum core temperature 67.9°C
Maximum frequency 3.60 GHz
Number of cores 6
Number of QPI Links 1
Number of threads 12
Transistor count 1170 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range 0.800V-1.375V

Memory

Max memory channels 3
Maximum memory bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size 24 GB
Supported memory types DDR3 1066

Compatibility

Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration 1
Package Size 42.5mm X 45.0mm
Sockets supported FCLGA1366
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 130 Watt

Security & Reliability

Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)

Advanced Technologies

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions Intel® SSE4.2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Physical Address Extensions (PAE) 36-bit
Thermal Monitoring

Virtualization

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)