Intel Core i5-7600T vs Intel Core i7-980 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-980 and the Intel Core i5-7600T represent two distinct philosophies from different eras of desktop computing. The i7-980 is a six-core, twelve-thread Gulftown part from 2011, built on a 32 nm process with a 130 W TDP, while the i5-7600T is a four-core, four-thread Kaby Lake chip from 2017, built on a 14 nm process with a 35 W TDP. Despite the six-year gap and the massive difference in power consumption, the benchmark data reveals a surprising and consistent performance hierarchy: the older i7-980 wins every single recorded benchmark, albeit with margins that are narrower than the architectural gulf might suggest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-980 wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons, with the Intel Core i5-7600T failing to take a single victory. The consistency of the margin is striking. Across the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 suites, the i7-980 holds a lead that hovers almost exactly at 17.8% in multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-980 scores 589 against the i5-7600T's 500, a delta of 17.8%. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (2458 vs 2086, 17.8%) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (5853 vs 4968, 17.8%). This uniformity suggests that the performance gap is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental throughput advantage rooted in the core and thread configuration.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though with slightly more variance. The i7-980 leads by 18.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (83 vs 70), by 17.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core (346 vs 294), and by 17.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (826 vs 701). The fact that the older chip, with a lower boost clock of 3.60 GHz compared to the i5-7600T's 3.70 GHz, still wins single-threaded tests is notable. This implies that the i7-980's architectural efficiency in these specific Cinebench workloads outweighs the raw clock frequency disadvantage. The data suggests that the i7-980's twelve threads provide a significant advantage in multi-threaded rendering, but its single-core performance also appears superior in these tests, which is unexpected given the newer process node and higher boost clock of the i5-7600T.

It is also worth noting the broader context from the database's nearest rivals. The i7-980's average benchmark score is 1693, placing it at the 40th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H (avg score 1690, delta 0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-3770K (avg score 1688, delta 0.3%). The i5-7600T, with an average score of 1664, also sits at the 40th percentile, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core i7-6700TE (avg score 1666, delta -0.1%). Both chips occupy the same performance tier overall, which makes the consistent 17.8% head-to-head margins somewhat surprising. The average scores suggest a near-tie, but the specific Cinebench tests show a clear, repeatable winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 wins decisively, scoring 5853 against the Intel Core i5-7600T's 4968. This represents a 17.8% advantage for the i7-980 in this multi-threaded rendering workload.

Q: Is the newer Intel Core i5-7600T faster in single-core tests?

A: No. The benchmark data contradicts the expectation based on release date. The i7-980 leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 826 points versus 701 points for the i5-7600T, a 17.8% margin. The i7-980 also wins in R15 and R20 single-core tests.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has an average benchmark score of 1693, while the Intel Core i5-7600T has an average score of 1664. The difference is 29 points, or roughly 1.7% in favor of the i7-980, which is much smaller than the head-to-head Cinebench deltas.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-7600T has 4 cores and 4 threads. This 2-core and 8-thread difference is the primary driver of the multi-core performance gap.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600T has a higher boost clock at 3.70 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-980's 3.60 GHz. Despite this, the i7-980 still wins every single-core benchmark in the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has a TDP of 130 W, while the Intel Core i5-7600T has a TDP of 35 W. The i5-7600T draws significantly less power, which is a major consideration for system builders focused on efficiency.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear verdict for raw performance: the Intel Core i7-980 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with a consistent 17.8% lead in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. For users whose primary concern is maximum processing throughput in rendering or similar multi-threaded workloads, the i7-980 is the superior choice, despite its age. Its twelve threads allow it to outpace the four-thread i5-7600T by a wide margin in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

However, the i5-7600T is not without its own merits. Its 35 W TDP is dramatically lower than the i7-980's 130 W, making it a far more power-efficient option. The i5-7600T also supports DDR4 memory and has integrated graphics (HD 630), features that the i7-980 lacks entirely. The i7-980 requires a discrete graphics card and uses older DDR3 memory. The i5-7600T is also on a newer socket (Intel Socket 1151) and has a smaller process node (14 nm vs 32 nm), which typically implies better thermal characteristics and longevity. The choice between these two hinges on whether raw compute performance or system efficiency and modern platform features are prioritized.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every fundamental specification. The Intel Core i7-980 uses the Intel Socket 1366, while the Intel Core i5-7600T uses the Intel Socket 1151. The i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the i5-7600T has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.33 GHz for the i7-980 and 2.80 GHz for the i5-7600T; boost clocks are 3.60 GHz and 3.70 GHz respectively. TDP is a major differentiator: 130 W for the i7-980 versus 35 W for the i5-7600T. Memory support differs as well: the i7-980 uses DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus, while the i5-7600T uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a rated memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. PCIe support also differs: the i7-980 has PCIe Gen 2, while the i5-7600T has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-7600T includes integrated graphics (HD 630), a feature entirely absent from the i7-980. The i7-980 has a larger L3 cache at 12 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the i5-7600T. The i7-980 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-7600T is marked as active production.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is vast, reflecting a half-decade of Intel development. The i7-980 is based on the Westmere architecture with the Gulftown codename, manufactured on a 32 nm process. It packs 1,170 million transistors into a 239 mm² die. The i5-7600T is based on the Kaby Lake architecture with the same codename, built on a 14 nm process. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the i5-7600T. The core count difference is the most impactful architectural feature: the i7-980's six cores with Hyper-Threading produce 12 threads, while the i5-7600T's four cores lack Hyper-Threading, producing just 4 threads. This is why the i7-980 maintains such a consistent lead in multi-threaded tests. The i7-980 also has a larger shared L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB). The i5-7600T benefits from a newer memory controller supporting DDR4 and a more modern PCIe Gen 3 interface. The process node shrink from 32 nm to 14 nm is likely why the i5-7600T achieves a much lower TDP, despite having a similar boost clock. The i7-980's architecture relies on a triple-channel memory bus, whereas the i5-7600T uses a dual-channel configuration.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-980 wins in every scenario that demands raw computational throughput from the CPU. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5853 versus 4968 shows a 17.8% advantage, which translates directly to faster rendering times in 3D applications and video encoding tasks that scale with thread count. Its single-core wins in Cinebench R15 (83 vs 70), R20 (346 vs 294), and R23 (826 vs 701) also indicate that it is not merely a multi-threaded brute; it is faster in single-threaded tasks as well, according to the recorded data. This makes it the clear choice for any application that is CPU-bound, from compiling code to running complex simulations.

The Intel Core i5-7600T wins where efficiency and platform modernity matter. Its 35 W TDP is a fraction of the i7-980's 130 W, making it the superior choice for compact, low-power builds or systems where thermal output is a concern. It supports DDR4 memory, which offers higher bandwidth per module and is the standard for modern systems. The inclusion of integrated HD 630 graphics means a system can be built without a discrete GPU, reducing cost and power draw for basic tasks. Its PCIe Gen 3 support is also a generational improvement over the i7-980's Gen 2. The i5-7600T does not win any benchmark comparison, but it wins on the less tangible but crucial metrics of power efficiency, memory compatibility, and having a modern feature set. The data shows the i7-980 is the performance king, but the i5-7600T is the more practical, modern platform choice for efficiency-focused builds.