i5-9600KF vs i7-980

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.53
Core i5-9600KF
2019
6 cores / 6 threads, 95 Watt
6.98
+54.1%

Core i5-9600KF outperforms Core i7-980 by an impressive 54% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13441022
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.207.48
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Power efficiency3.186.70
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Release date26 June 2011 (13 years ago)7 January 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,109$262

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-9600KF has 3640% better value for money than i7-980.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF 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)
Threads126
Base clock speed3.33 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz4.6 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate4.8 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data37
L1 cache64 KB (per core)384 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.5 MB
L3 cache12 MB (shared)9 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size239 mm2149 mm2
Maximum core temperature69 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors1,170 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF. 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-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching-no data

Security technologies

Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
MPX-+
Identity Protection-+
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF 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 i5-9600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size24 GB128 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidthno data41.6 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980 and Core i5-9600KF.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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 4.53
i5-9600KF 6.98
+54.1%

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
i5-9600KF 10679
+54%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.53 6.98
Recency 26 June 2011 7 January 2019
Threads 12 6
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

i7-980 has 100% more threads.

i5-9600KF, on the other hand, has a 54.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 36.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-9600KF 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 i5-9600KF, 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 i5-9600KF
Core i5-9600KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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