Core i7-980 vs Xeon E-2124

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 i7-980 vs Xeon E-2124 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 i7-980 vs Xeon E-2124: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-980

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,890 vs 6,915).
❌Launch MSRP is still $583 MSRP, while Xeon E-2124 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌83.1% higher power demand at 130W vs 71W.

Xeon E-2124

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 71W instead of 130W, a 59W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-980 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2124 better than Core i7-980?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2124 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-980 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2124 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E-2124 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E-2124 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-980 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1366.

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

Xeon E-2124 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-980 vs Xeon E-2124 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E-2124

The Xeon E-2124 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 71 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 6,915 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-980 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2124 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-980 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980 versus 4.3 GHz on the Xeon E-2124 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2124 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-980 uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E-2124 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980 scores 6,890 against the Xeon E-2124's 6,915 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E-2124. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2124.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E-2124
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.3 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3.33 GHz	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	6,890	6,915

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E-2124 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.