i9-12900KF vs i9-7980XE

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7980XE
2017
18 cores / 36 threads, 165 Watt
18.93
Core i9-12900KF
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
25.88
+36.7%

Core i9-12900KF outperforms Core i9-7980XE by a substantial 37% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking310187
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.6636.79
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9Intel Core i9
Power efficiency10.8619.59
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date30 May 2017 (7 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999$564

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 1283% better value for money than i9-7980XE.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF 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 cores18 (Octadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads3624
Base clock speed2.6 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 4.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data32
L1 cache1.125 MB768 KB
L2 cache18 MB4 MB
L3 cache24.75 MB (shared)6 MB
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size484 mm2215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature94 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4420

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.

i9-7980XE 18.93
i9-12900KF 25.88
+36.7%

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.

i9-7980XE 30070
i9-12900KF 41115
+36.7%

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.

i9-7980XE 1442
i9-12900KF 2600
+80.3%

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.

i9-7980XE 11220
i9-12900KF 15069
+34.3%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.93 25.88
Recency 30 May 2017 27 October 2021
Physical cores 18 16
Threads 36 24
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 125 Watt

i9-7980XE has 12.5% more physical cores and 50% more threads.

i9-12900KF, on the other hand, has a 36.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, and 32% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-7980XE in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-7980XE
Core i9-7980XE
Intel Core i9-12900KF
Core i9-12900KF

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Community ratings

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