Core i7-980 vs Xeon E5-1620 v3

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 E5-1620 v3 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 E5-1620 v3: 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

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 140W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,890 vs 6,959).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 23.7 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Xeon E5-1620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Costs $289 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 100.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.7 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 v3 better than Core i7-980?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1620 v3 comes in $289 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.3% better value on MSRP (23.7 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011), more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-980 vs Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 E5-1620 v3

The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-980 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-980 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-980 uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980 scores 6,890 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz	3.5 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+20%	10 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	6,890	6,959+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Socket	LGA1366	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-980) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-980 was priced at $583, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($583 vs $294), Xeon E5-1620 v3 was $289 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-980 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 23.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — making the Xeon E5-1620 v3 the 66.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-980	Xeon E5-1620 v3
MSRP	$583	$294-50%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	23.7+101%
Release Date	2011	2014

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