Core i7-980X
VS
Ryzen 7 2700U

Core i7-980X vs Ryzen 7 2700U

Intel

Core i7-980X

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 2700U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 Ryzen 7 2700U is on rank 748, so the Ryzen 7 2700U 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

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
45706%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
43188%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
31358%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
9447%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
7483%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
6546%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
3749%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
3700%
#9
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 Ryzen 7 2700U

#735
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1071%
#736
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1055%
#737
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
969%
#738
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
964%
#739
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
955%
#741
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
923%
#742
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
885%
#743
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
883%
#744
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
859%
#747
Ryzen 3 7320C
MSRP: $299|Avg: $200
100%
#748
Ryzen 7 2700U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#756
Core i7-11370H
MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A
99%
#760
Core i3-N300
MSRP: $309|Avg: $309
98%
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 Ryzen 7 2700U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and **DDR4 Dual-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i7-980XRyzen 7 2700U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($150)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Gulftown (2010−2011) / 32 nm)
✨ Modern (Raven Ridge (2017−2019) / 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.
InsightCore i7-980XRyzen 7 2700U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($150)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-980X and Ryzen 7 2700U

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 2700U

The Ryzen 7 2700U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 26 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 6,850 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i7-980X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 2700U 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 Ryzen 7 2700U — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 2700U (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-980X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 7 2700U uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980X scores 6,817 against the Ryzen 7 2700U's 6,850 — a 0.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 2700U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980X vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 2700U.

FeatureCore i7-980XRyzen 7 2700U
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock
3.33 GHz+51%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+200%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Gulftown (2010−2011)
Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark
6,817
6,850
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980X uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 2700U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-980XRyzen 7 2700U
Socket
LGA1366
FP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%