Core 2 Extreme X9000 vs Pentium B980

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Extreme X9000 vs Pentium B980 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Extreme X9000 vs Pentium B980: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Extreme X9000

2008

Why buy it

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium B980

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,101 vs 1,108).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $125 MSRP, while Core 2 Extreme X9000 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Extreme X9000 better than Pentium B980?

Yes. Core 2 Extreme X9000 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Extreme X9000 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 16.7% higher max boost clock.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Extreme X9000 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 2 Extreme X9000 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Extreme X9000 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% higher PassMark. Pentium B980 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium B980 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Extreme X9000 vs Pentium B980 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Extreme X9000

The Core 2 Extreme X9000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,108 points. Launch price was $851.

Pentium B980

The Pentium B980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,101 points. Launch price was $125.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Extreme X9000 and Pentium B980 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X9000 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Extreme X9000 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X9000 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium B980 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X9000 scores 1,108 against the Pentium B980's 1,101 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Extreme X9000. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Extreme X9000 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B980.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme X9000	Pentium B980
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+17%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+17%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+200%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,108	1,101

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Extreme X9000 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium B980 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.