CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-980 and Intel Core i7-3770K represent two distinct approaches to high-end desktop computing from the early 2010s. The i7-980 is a six-core Gulftown part on the aging LGA1366 platform, while the i7-3770K is a four-core Ivy Bridge chip on LGA1155 with a modern feature set. Benchmark data shows the i7-980 winning every single head-to-head test, but the margin is consistently narrow, and the i7-3770K counters with lower power draw, a newer platform, and an unlocked multiplier. This comparison hinges on whether raw multi-threaded throughput or platform efficiency matters more to you.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-980 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, but never by a commanding margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-980 scores 589 against 558 for the i7-3770K, a 5.6% lead. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story, with the i7-980 at 83 points versus 78 points, a 6.4% advantage. This pattern holds across the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the i7-980 posts 2458 versus 2327, again a 5.6% gap. The R20 single-core result shows 346 against 328, a 5.5% edge. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows suit at 5853 versus 5542 (5.6%), and R23 single-core lands at 826 versus 782 (5.6%).

The consistency of these deltas is telling. Across every test, the i7-980 leads by roughly 5.5% to 6.5%, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This suggests the performance advantage comes from architectural efficiency rather than just core count. The i7-980 has six cores and twelve threads, while the i7-3770K has four cores and eight threads, yet the six-core chip only manages a 5.6% multi-core lead. That is a surprisingly small gap. The i7-3770K's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 3.33 GHz, and boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, likely helps close the core-count deficit in lightly-threaded tasks. In single-core tests, the i7-980 still wins by 5.5-6.4%, which means its per-core performance is noticeably better than the clock-speed advantage alone would suggest.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the two are nearly twins. The i7-980 averages 1693 points, while the i7-3770K averages 1688. That is a 0.3% difference, placing them in the same percentile tier at 40. The nearest rival data confirms this: the i7-980 is 0.3% ahead of the i7-3770K, and the i7-3770K is 0.3% behind the i7-980. Interestingly, the i7-3770K also has a Geekbench multi-core score of 3027 and single-core score of 860, which are not directly comparable to the Cinebench numbers but provide additional reference points. In practical terms, these two processors are effectively tied in overall performance, with the i7-980 enjoying a narrow but consistent edge in every measured workload.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-980 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15, it scores 589 versus 558 (5.6% ahead). In R20, it scores 2458 versus 2327 (5.6% ahead). In R23, it scores 5853 versus 5542 (5.6% ahead). The margin is consistent across all tests.

Q: Is the i7-3770K better in single-core performance due to its higher clocks?

A: No. Despite having a higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.33 GHz) and boost clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz), the i7-3770K loses every single-core test. The i7-980 leads by 6.4% in R15 single-core (83 versus 78), 5.5% in R20 single-core (346 versus 328), and 5.6% in R23 single-core (826 versus 782).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The i7-980 has an average benchmark score of 1693, while the i7-3770K scores 1688. This is a 0.3% difference in favor of the i7-980, and both sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Does the i7-3770K have any advantage in power consumption?

A: Yes, significantly. The i7-3770K has a TDP of 77 watts, while the i7-980 has a TDP of 130 watts. This means the i7-3770K draws substantially less power, which could translate to lower cooling requirements and quieter operation.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i7-3770K includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4000. The i7-980 has no integrated graphics, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Only the i7-3770K has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-980's multiplier is locked. This gives the i7-3770K a significant flexibility advantage for enthusiasts who want to push performance beyond stock settings.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is substantial, reflecting two different generations of Intel design. The i7-980 is built on the Westmere architecture, codenamed Gulftown, using a 32 nm process. It packs 1,170 million transistors into a 239 mm² die. In contrast, the i7-3770K uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, also codenamed Ivy Bridge, on a more advanced 22 nm process. It fits 1,400 million transistors into a smaller 160 mm² die. The newer process node allows the i7-3770K to pack more transistors into less space while consuming less power.

Core configuration is a major differentiator. The i7-980 offers six cores and twelve threads, while the i7-3770K offers four cores and eight threads. Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. However, the L3 cache is notably different: the i7-980 has 12 MB shared, while the i7-3770K has 8 MB shared. The larger L3 cache on the i7-980 likely contributes to its per-core performance advantage despite lower clock speeds.

Memory architecture also diverges. The i7-980 supports triple-channel DDR3 memory, while the i7-3770K uses dual-channel DDR3. The i7-3770K has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the i7-980. The i7-980 uses PCIe Gen 2, whereas the i7-3770K uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i7-3770K also includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, a feature entirely absent from the i7-980.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification that matters. Core count is the most obvious: 6 cores and 12 threads for the i7-980 versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the i7-3770K. Clock speeds favor the i7-3770K, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 3.33 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. Power draw heavily favors the i7-3770K, with a TDP of 77 watts compared to 130 watts for the i7-980.

Socket compatibility is completely different. The i7-980 uses Intel Socket 1366, while the i7-3770K uses Intel Socket 1155. This means they cannot be swapped into the same motherboard. The process node differs, with the i7-980 at 32 nm and the i7-3770K at 22 nm. Transistor count is higher on the i7-3770K (1,400 million versus 1,170 million), but die size is smaller (160 mm² versus 239 mm²). L3 cache is larger on the i7-980 at 12 MB versus 8 MB. Memory bus width differs, with triple-channel on the i7-980 and dual-channel on the i7-3770K, which also has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

PCIe generation is another split, with Gen 2 on the i7-980 and Gen 3 on the i7-3770K. Integrated graphics are present only on the i7-3770K (Intel HD 4000). The i7-3770K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-980 does not. Release dates differ by about ten months, with the i7-980 launching in June 2011 and the i7-3770K in April 2012. The i7-3770K has a launch MSRP of $313. Both processors are now end-of-life, and neither supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i7-980 wins every performance benchmark, but by a narrow margin of roughly 5.5% to 6.4% across all tests. Its six cores and twelve threads, combined with 12 MB of L3 cache, give it a consistent edge in both single- and multi-threaded workloads. The i7-3770K, however, counters with a dramatically lower TDP of 77 watts versus 130 watts, integrated graphics, PCIe Gen 3 support, and an unlocked multiplier. Both processors share the same 40th percentile ranking and average scores within 0.3% of each other.

For pure performance, the i7-980 is the winner based on benchmark results. It is faster in every measured test, and the consistency of its advantage suggests it will remain ahead in most real-world workloads. However, the practical differences are small. A 5.6% lead in multi-core performance is unlikely to be noticeable in day-to-day use. The i7-3770K's advantages are architectural rather than performance-based: lower power consumption, modern platform features, and overclocking headroom. The unlocked multiplier on the i7-3770K is particularly significant, as it allows users to potentially close or exceed the performance gap through manual tuning. The i7-980's locked multiplier means its 3.60 GHz boost clock is the ceiling for stock operation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-980 wins in every measured benchmark category. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core (589 versus 558), R15 single-core (83 versus 78), R20 multi-core (2458 versus 2327), R20 single-core (346 versus 328), R23 multi-core (5853 versus 5542), and R23 single-core (826 versus 782). This makes it the clear choice for users who prioritize maximum performance in Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its six cores and larger 12 MB L3 cache give it an edge in heavily threaded applications, and its per-core efficiency is strong enough to win single-threaded tests as well. The i7-980 is also the only option here for those needing triple-channel memory support, which can provide higher memory bandwidth in specific workloads.

The Intel Core i7-3770K wins in areas that benchmarks do not directly measure. Its 77-watt TDP makes it far more efficient than the 130-watt i7-980, which means lower cooling requirements and potentially quieter operation. It includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, so it can run a system without a discrete GPU. It supports PCIe Gen 3, offering newer connectivity standards. Its unlocked multiplier provides overclocking flexibility, allowing users to push clock speeds beyond the stock 3.90 GHz boost. The dual-channel memory architecture is less capable than triple-channel on paper, but the 25.6 GB/s specified bandwidth is sufficient for most tasks. For a builder focused on power efficiency, modern platform features, or overclocking potential, the i7-3770K is the more practical choice.