i7-980 vs FX-8320

VS

Aggregate performance score

FX-8320
2012
8 cores / 8 threads, 125 Watt
3.56
Core i7-980
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.53
+27.2%

Core i7-980 outperforms FX-8320 by a significant 27% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing FX-8320 and Core i7-980 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking15441343
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.20
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency2.603.18
Architecture codenameVishera (2012−2015)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release date23 October 2012 (12 years ago)26 June 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$1,109

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

FX-8320 and Core i7-980 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads812
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rateno data4.8 GT/s
L1 cacheno data64 KB (per core)
L2 cache8192 KB256 KB (per core)
L3 cacheno data12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size315 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature61 °C69 °C
Number of transistors1,200 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-
P0 Vcore voltageMin: 1.2 V - Max: 1.4 Vno data

Compatibility

Information on FX-8320 and Core i7-980 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
SocketAM3+FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by FX-8320 and Core i7-980. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
FMA+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data1.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-

Security technologies

FX-8320 and Core i7-980 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by FX-8320 and Core i7-980 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by FX-8320 and Core i7-980. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data24 GB
Max memory channelsno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by FX-8320 and Core i7-980.

PCIe versionn/a2.0

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.

FX-8320 3.56
i7-980 4.53
+27.2%

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.

FX-8320 5444
i7-980 6936
+27.4%

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

FX-8320 6460
i7-980 7930
+22.8%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.56 4.53
Recency 23 October 2012 26 June 2011
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 8 12
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 130 Watt

FX-8320 has an age advantage of 1 year, 33.3% more physical cores, and 4% lower power consumption.

i7-980, on the other hand, has a 27.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more threads.

The Core i7-980 is our recommended choice as it beats the FX-8320 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between FX-8320 and Core i7-980, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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AMD FX-8320
FX-8320
Intel Core i7-980
Core i7-980

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Community ratings

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


4.2 1374 votes

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4.1 45 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about FX-8320 or Core i7-980, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.