i5-3570K vs i7-980

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.38
+39.9%
Core i5-3570K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
3.13

Core i7-980 outperforms Core i5-3570K by a considerable 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13471614
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.190.43
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5 (Desktop)
Power efficiency3.183.83
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date26 June 2011 (13 years ago)29 April 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,109$235

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-3570K has 126% better value for money than i7-980.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K 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 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus rate4.8 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size239 mm2160 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °C67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data67 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K 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,LGA1366FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt77 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K 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 i5-3570K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB32 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidthno data25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.15 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K.

PCIe version2.03.0

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 4.38
+39.9%
i5-3570K 3.13

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 6936
+40%
i5-3570K 4955

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-980 7930
+30.6%
i5-3570K 6070

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.38 3.13
Recency 26 June 2011 29 April 2012
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 77 Watt

i7-980 has a 39.9% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i5-3570K, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 10 months, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 68.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-980 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3570K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980 and Core i5-3570K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-980
Core i7-980
Intel Core i5-3570K
Core i5-3570K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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