Intel Core i5-5675C vs Intel Core i7-980X Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5675C and the Intel Core i7-980X represent two very different answers to the same question: how to get desktop performance from Intel silicon. One is a modern, efficient quad-core with modern integrated graphics, while the other is an older, power-hungry six-core built for extreme multi-threading. Benchmark data shows a stark split in their capabilities, with the older i7-980X dominating Cinebench while the newer i5-5675C takes a decisive lead in Geekbench.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the complete inversion of results across the two benchmark suites. In Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-980X wins every single round. Its lead is remarkably consistent, hovering around 15% across all three versions of the test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-980X scores 584 against the i5-5675C's 495, a delta of -15.2% for the i5. The single-core R15 result tells the same story: 82 versus 69, again a 15.9% deficit for the newer chip. This trend continues in Cinebench R20 and R23, with the i7-980X maintaining roughly a 15.2% to 15.3% advantage in both multi-core and single-core results. The i7-980X's R23 multi-core score of 5797 is 15.3% higher than the i5-5675C's 4912.

However, the narrative flips completely when looking at Geekbench. Here, the Intel Core i5-5675C is the clear winner, and its margins are enormous. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-5675C scores 4159 against the i7-980X's 3247, representing a 28.1% lead. The single-core result is even more lopsided: 1388 versus 659, a staggering 110.6% advantage for the i5-5675C. This means the newer chip is more than twice as fast as the older one in Geekbench's single-core test. This dramatic split suggests that the two CPUs are optimized for fundamentally different workloads, and the "winner" depends entirely on which benchmark you trust.

Out of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-980X wins six, but the i5-5675C takes the two that are most consequential for modern everyday use. The average benchmark score for both chips is nearly identical—1759 for the i5-5675C and 1746 for the i7-980X—placing both at the 41st percentile of all CPUs. This parity in average performance is mirrored by their nearest rivals, which include chips like the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE, all within a fraction of a percent of each other.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap between these two processors is vast, spanning several generations of Intel design. The Intel Core i5-5675C is built on the Broadwell architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-980X uses the older Westmere architecture on a 32 nm node. This process shrink is a primary reason for the massive difference in efficiency and single-core performance.

Core and thread counts are where the i7-980X flexes its muscle. It packs six physical cores and twelve threads, while the i5-5675C is limited to four cores and four threads. The i7-980X also has a much larger L3 cache at 12 MB shared, three times the 4 MB shared on the i5-5675C. The i7-980X's die is larger at 239 mm² and contains 1,170 million transistors, compared to the i5-5675C's 182 mm² die. Interestingly, both chips have the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2.

The platforms they connect to are entirely different as well. The i5-5675C uses the Intel Socket 1150 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-980X uses the older Intel Socket 1366 with PCIe Gen 2. Memory support also differs: both use DDR3, but the i5-5675C has a dual-channel memory bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i7-980X uses a triple-channel bus with no listed bandwidth figure. A major feature separating them is integrated graphics—the i5-5675C includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the i7-980X has none. The i5-5675C is also a much more power-efficient design with a 65 W TDP, half of the i7-980X's 130 W TDP.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. If your priority is raw multi-threaded rendering in applications like Cinebench, the Intel Core i7-980X is unequivocally the stronger processor. It holds a consistent ~15% advantage in every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core runs. Its six cores and twelve threads are a tangible benefit for heavily threaded workloads.

However, for almost everything else, the Intel Core i5-5675C is the better buy. The Geekbench results are not even close. The i5-5675C is 28.1% faster in multi-core and a massive 110.6% faster in single-core performance. This indicates a far superior architecture per clock, which translates to snappier everyday tasks and better performance in applications that rely heavily on single-thread speed. The i5-5675C also brings a modern platform with PCIe Gen 3, integrated graphics, and dramatically lower power consumption, making it the more practical and versatile choice for a general-purpose desktop.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-980X is faster, scoring 5797 compared to the Intel Core i5-5675C's 4912, a difference of 15.3%.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i5-5675C in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-5675C is 110.6% faster, with a score of 1388 versus the i7-980X's 659.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-980X has six cores and twelve threads, while the Intel Core i5-5675C has four cores and four threads.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-980X has a 12 MB shared L3 cache, which is three times larger than the 4 MB shared L3 cache on the Intel Core i5-5675C.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-980X have integrated graphics?

A: No, it does not. The Intel Core i5-5675C includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200.

Q: What are the TDPs of these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-5675C has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-980X has a 130 W TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-980X is the winner for multi-threaded rendering and any workload that scales with core count. Its Cinebench results are uniformly superior, showing a 15.2% lead in both R15 and R20 multi-core, and a 15.3% lead in R23 multi-core. This makes it the clear pick for video encoding, 3D rendering, and other productivity tasks that can utilize its six cores and twelve threads. Its larger 12 MB L3 cache also provides an advantage in data-heavy workloads that fit within that pool.

The Intel Core i5-5675C is the winner for general-purpose computing and single-threaded applications. Its Geekbench scores are dramatically better, with a 28.1% lead in multi-core and a 110.6% lead in single-core. This suggests it will feel much quicker in everyday use, web browsing, and office applications. Its integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200 means it can function in a system without a discrete GPU, and its 65 W TDP makes it far easier to cool and power. The modern PCIe Gen 3 support also makes it a more sensible foundation for a contemporary system.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the key specification fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-5675C | Intel Core i7-980X |

|:--- |:--- |:--- |

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 4 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.33 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 130 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Westmere |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,170 million |

| Die Size | 182 mm² | 239 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 | None |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2015-05-14 | 2010-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $276 | Not listed |