i7-980 vs i7-6800K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6800K
2016
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
6.78
+55.1%
Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.37

Core i7-6800K outperforms Core i7-980 by an impressive 55% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10241349
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.540.19
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency4.583.18
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)26 June 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$345$1,109

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-6800K has 711% better value for money than i7-980.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.4 GHz3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rateno data4.8 GT/s
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data239 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data69 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switchingno data-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980 are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB24 GB
Max memory channels43

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes28no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-6800K 6.78
+55.1%
i7-980 4.37

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-6800K 10764
+55.2%
i7-980 6936

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-6800K 14300
+80.3%
i7-980 7930

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.78 4.37
Recency 31 May 2016 26 June 2011
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 130 Watt

i7-6800K has a 55.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

i7-980, on the other hand, has 7.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6800K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6800K and Core i7-980, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-6800K
Core i7-6800K
Intel Core i7-980
Core i7-980

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4 239 votes

Rate Core i7-6800K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.1 45 votes

Rate Core i7-980 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-6800K or Core i7-980, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.