Core i7-980X vs Core i5-8305G

Core i7-980X

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010

Core i5-8305G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-980X

6 / 12

6,817

+0.2%

6,801

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-980X is positioned at rank 1052 and the Core i5-8305G is on rank 896, so the Core i5-8305G offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-980X

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

45706%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

43188%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

31358%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

9447%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

7483%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

6546%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3749%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3700%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3369%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3369%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3331%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3241%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3196%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3183%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3154%

#1052

Core i7-980X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

100%

#1053

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $10

100%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

99%

#1055

Pentium D 940

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

97%

#1056

Phenom X4 9600B

MSRP: $278|Avg: $20

97%

#1057

Phenom II X3 B77

MSRP: $281|Avg: $35

96%

#1058

Core 2 Duo E6300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

95%

#1059

Core 2 Duo E6400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

94%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

93%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

89%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

89%

#1064

Core i7-880

MSRP: $583|Avg: $40

86%

#1065

Pentium D 820

MSRP: $241|Avg: $20

86%

#1066

Celeron 2.10

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

85%

#1067

Core i7-950

MSRP: $562|Avg: $15

85%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8305G

#884

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1510%

#885

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1488%

#886

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1366%

#887

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1360%

#888

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1347%

#890

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1301%

#891

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1248%

#892

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1245%

#893

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1212%

#896

Core i5-8305G

MSRP: $350|Avg: $350

100%

#897

Celeron 6305

MSRP: $107|Avg: $80

100%

#900

Core i7-8705G

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

98%

#902

Pentium Dual Core T2410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

98%

#903

FX-8800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

97%

#905

Core i7-8809G

MSRP: $450|Avg: $450

97%

#911

Core i7-6820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-8305G (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-980X	Core i5-8305G
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($150)	⚠️ Higher cost ($350)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Gulftown (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake G (2018) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-980X (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-980X	Core i5-8305G
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+134%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($150)	⚠️ Higher cost ($350)

Performance Check

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 i7-980X Benchmark Check

Core i5-8305G Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-980X and Core i5-8305G

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.

Core i5-8305G

The Core i5-8305G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,801 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-980X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-8305G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-980X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980X versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-8305G — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-8305G (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-980X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-8305G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980X scores 6,817 against the Core i5-8305G's 6,801 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-980X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980X vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8305G.

Feature	Core i7-980X	Core i5-8305G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+19%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	6,817	6,801

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980X uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-8305G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-980X	Core i5-8305G
Socket	LGA1366	FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-980X launched at $999 MSRP, while the Core i5-8305G debuted at $350. At current prices ($150 vs $350), the Core i7-980X is $200 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-980X delivers 45.4 pts/$ vs 19.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-8305G — making the Core i7-980X the 80.2% better value option.