AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U vs Intel Core i7-980 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U and the Intel Core i7-980 represent two very different eras of computing, yet benchmark results place them surprisingly close in overall performance. The data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the AMD mobile chip across all measured workloads. In the six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U wins every single test, with margins ranging from 1.2% to 2.3%. While the Intel part, a six-core desktop processor from 2011, holds advantages in core count and cache, the newer AMD architecture proves more efficient in executing the tested tasks, making this a fascinating comparison of process technology versus raw physical resources.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a pattern of modest but unanimous AMD wins. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U scores 601 against the Core i7-980's 589, a 2% advantage. This is notable because the Intel chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD chip has only 4 cores and 8 threads. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story, with the AMD part scoring 84 versus 83, a 1.2% lead.

Moving to the more demanding Cinebench R20 suite, the AMD processor extends its lead slightly. In the multi-core test, it scores 2507 against Intel's 2458, again a 2% delta. The single-core R20 test shows the AMD chip at 354 versus 346, a 2.3% margin, its largest win in any comparison. This pattern of a slightly larger lead in single-core performance suggests the AMD architecture has a stronger per-core efficiency advantage.

The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U achieves a multi-core score of 5971, outperforming the Intel Core i7-980's 5853 by 2%. In single-core R23, the AMD chip scores 843 versus 826, a 2.1% difference. Across all six benchmarks, the AMD chip's smallest victory is 1.2%, and its largest is 2.3%. The consistency of these results is striking; there is no test where the older Intel architecture manages to pull ahead, even in heavily threaded workloads where its additional cores should theoretically provide an advantage. The data indicates that the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U's newer design, with its higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, more than compensates for the Intel part's two extra physical cores.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is the superior processor in this matchup. It wins every single benchmark test, from single-core to multi-core workloads, with margins consistently around 2%. The data shows no scenario where the Intel Core i7-980 outperforms the AMD part. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U also achieves this with a dramatically lower TDP of 15 watts versus the Intel's 130 watts, making its performance-per-watt profile vastly better, though this efficiency gap is not directly measured in the benchmark scores. The Intel Core i7-980, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, cannot translate its hardware advantage into a performance win against the newer AMD architecture. For any user choosing between these two solely on performance, the data clearly points to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD chip is still active, further solidifying its position as the more practical choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U wins all multi-core tests. It scores 601 vs 589 in Cinebench R15, 2507 vs 2458 in R20, and 5971 vs 5853 in R23, each a 2% advantage over the Intel Core i7-980.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-980 better in single-core performance?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U also wins every single-core test, with scores of 84 vs 83 in R15, 354 vs 346 in R20, and 843 vs 826 in R23.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U leads the Intel Core i7-980 by 2.3%.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has an average benchmark score of 1715, while the Intel Core i7-980 has an average of 1693. The AMD part also sits slightly higher in the percentile ranking at 41 versus 40.

Q: Does the Intel processor have more cores?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this, the AMD chip wins all multi-core benchmarks.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U has a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-980's boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Specification Differences

The most prominent differences between the two processors lie in their core configurations and power envelopes. The Intel Core i7-980 offers 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U provides 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with the AMD chip having a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel chip starts at a higher 3.33 GHz base but only boosts to 3.60 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator: the AMD mobile part is rated at 15 watts, while the Intel desktop part is rated at 130 watts. They use different sockets (AMD Socket FP5 vs Intel Socket 1366) and support different memory types, with the AMD chip using dual-channel DDR4 and the Intel chip using triple-channel DDR3. The AMD processor includes integrated Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics, while the Intel Core i7-980 has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip is also an active production part, whereas the Intel chip is end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

These processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is based on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, and is manufactured on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-980 uses the Westmere architecture, codenamed Gulftown, built on a 32 nm process by Intel, with 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The cache layouts also differ significantly. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a much larger 12 MB shared L3 cache. Other architectural differences include memory bandwidth, with the AMD chip rated at 38.4 GB/s, and PCIe support, where the AMD chip uses Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Intel chip uses Gen 2.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U wins in every tested category. This includes all multi-core and single-core workloads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The data shows that the AMD chip's architectural efficiency and higher boost clock are decisive factors, allowing it to outperform the Intel Core i7-980 despite having fewer cores and threads. The Intel Core i7-980's wins are limited to its specification sheet; it has more cores, more threads, and a larger L3 cache. However, these hardware advantages do not translate into a single benchmark victory. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U is the clear winner in all measured performance metrics, making it the recommended choice for anyone prioritizing benchmark performance, as well as those who value the significant power efficiency advantage and the inclusion of integrated graphics.