i3-1215U vs i7-980X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-980X
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.30
Core i3-1215U
2022
6 cores / 8 threads, 15 Watt
6.82
+58.6%

Core i3-1215U outperforms Core i7-980X by an impressive 59% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13681029
Place by popularitynot in top-10017
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.24no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Alder Lake-M
Power efficiency3.1343.00
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Alder Lake-U (2022)
Release date16 March 2010 (14 years ago)23 February 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$959no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U 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)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.33 GHz1.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz4.4 GHz
Bus rate6.4 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)10 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size239 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature68 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,170 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U 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
SocketFCLGA1366FCBGA1744
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U. 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++
FMA-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U 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 i7-980X and Core i3-1215U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size24 GB64 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
Quick Sync Video-+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
Execution Unitsno data64

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U.

PCIe version2.04.0
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.

i7-980X 4.30
i3-1215U 6.82
+58.6%

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.

i7-980X 6826
i3-1215U 10828
+58.6%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-980X 551
i3-1215U 1843
+234%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-980X 2588
i3-1215U 4884
+88.7%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.30 6.82
Recency 16 March 2010 23 February 2022
Threads 12 8
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 15 Watt

i7-980X has 50% more threads.

i3-1215U, on the other hand, has a 58.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, and 766.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-1215U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980X in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-980X is a desktop processor while Core i3-1215U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980X and Core i3-1215U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-980X
Core i7-980X
Intel Core i3-1215U
Core i3-1215U

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Community ratings

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


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-980X or Core i3-1215U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.