Core i7-980 vs Core i7-980X

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-980

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $416 less on MSRP ($583 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 73.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.8 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-980X

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,817 vs 6,890).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.8 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).

Core i7-980

2011

Core i7-980X

2010

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $416 less on MSRP ($583 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 73.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.8 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).

Why buy it

Trade-offs

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,817 vs 6,890).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.8 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-980 better than Core i7-980X?

Yes. Core i7-980 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.2% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, the two CPUs are effectively a wash in the available data.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-980 is the better fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-980 is the smarter buy today. Core i7-980 is $416 cheaper on MSRP at $583 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 73.2% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 6.8 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i7-980 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-980 Benchmark Check

Core i7-980X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-980	Core i7-980X
1080p
low	162 FPS	162 FPS
medium	139 FPS	139 FPS
high	112 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	93 FPS
1440p
low	136 FPS	136 FPS
medium	115 FPS	115 FPS
high	91 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	75 FPS
4K
low	62 FPS	62 FPS
medium	56 FPS	56 FPS
high	44 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i7-980 Open Core i7-980X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-980	Core i7-980X
1080p
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	160 FPS	160 FPS
high	149 FPS	149 FPS
ultra	116 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	161 FPS	161 FPS
medium	141 FPS	141 FPS
high	132 FPS	132 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	107 FPS
4K
low	138 FPS	138 FPS
medium	122 FPS	122 FPS
high	104 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	74 FPS	74 FPS

Open Core i7-980 Open Core i7-980X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-980	Core i7-980X
1080p
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	172 FPS	170 FPS
high	172 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	170 FPS
1440p
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	172 FPS	170 FPS
high	172 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	170 FPS
4K
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	172 FPS	170 FPS
high	172 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	170 FPS

Open Core i7-980 Open Core i7-980X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-980	Core i7-980X
1080p
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	172 FPS	170 FPS
high	172 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	170 FPS
1440p
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	172 FPS	170 FPS
high	172 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	170 FPS
4K
low	172 FPS	170 FPS
medium	172 FPS	170 FPS
high	172 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	172 FPS	170 FPS

Open Core i7-980 Open Core i7-980X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-980 and Core i7-980X

Core i7-980

The Core i7-980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,890 points. Launch price was $1,109.

Core i7-980X

The Core i7-980X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,817 points. Launch price was $959.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-980 and Core i7-980X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). Both are built on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-980 scores 6,890 against the Core i7-980X's 6,817 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-980. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-980	Core i7-980X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz	3.33 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,890+1%	6,817

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Core i7-980	Core i7-980X
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

The Core i7-980 launched at $583 MSRP, while the Core i7-980X debuted at $999. On MSRP ($583 vs $999), the Core i7-980 is $416 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-980 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 6.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-980X — making the Core i7-980 the 53.6% better value option.