i3-12100F vs i7-980

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.37
Core i3-12100F
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 58 Watt
8.87
+103%

Core i3-12100F outperforms Core i7-980 by a whopping 103% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1356867
Place by popularitynot in top-1005
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.22no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency3.1814.47
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date26 June 2011 (13 years ago)January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,109no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F 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)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.33 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz4.3 GHz
Bus rate4.8 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size239 mm2163 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,170 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F 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
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt58 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size24 GB128 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidthno data76.8 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F.

PCIe version2.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanesno data20

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
i3-12100F 8.87
+103%

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
i3-12100F 14096
+103%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.37 8.87
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 58 Watt

i7-980 has 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.

i3-12100F, on the other hand, has a 103% higher aggregate performance score, and 124.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-12100F is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980 and Core i3-12100F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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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 i3-12100F
Core i3-12100F

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

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4.1 8251 vote

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-980 or Core i3-12100F, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.