Core 2 Quad Q9500 vs Core i7-980

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.37
+212%
Core 2 Quad Q9500
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.40

Core i7-980 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9500 by a whopping 212% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13572226
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.22no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency3.181.39
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)no data
Release date26 June 2011 (13 years ago)no data
Launch price (MSRP)$1,109no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.33 GHz2.83 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHzno data
Bus rate4.8 GT/s1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)no data
L3 cache12 MB (shared)6 MB L2 Cache
Chip lithography32 nm45 nm
Die size239 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature69 °C71 °C
Number of transistors1,170 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage rangeno data0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500 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 configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
AES-NI+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Demand Based Switching--

Security technologies

Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500 are enumerated here.

VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory size24 GBno data
Max memory channels3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500.

PCIe version2.0no 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.

i7-980 4.37
+212%
Core 2 Quad Q9500 1.40

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.

i7-980 6941
+212%
Core 2 Quad Q9500 2224

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.37 1.40
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

i7-980 has a 212.1% higher aggregate performance score, 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

Core 2 Quad Q9500, on the other hand, has 36.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-980 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Quad Q9500 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980 and Core 2 Quad Q9500, 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 i7-980
Core i7-980
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9500
Core 2 Quad Q9500

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.


4.1 46 votes

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

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.6 1225 votes

Rate Core 2 Quad Q9500 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-980 or Core 2 Quad Q9500, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.