Intel Core i3-12100F vs Intel Core i7-980

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i3-12100F or Intel Core i3-12100F – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i3-12100F features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2022 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-12100F, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The Intel Core i7-980 features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2011 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-980, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i3-12100F Name Intel Core i7-980
Intel Core i 12000 Group Intel Core i7 900
12 Generation 1
Intel Core i3 Family Intel Core i7
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i3-12100F has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-12100F is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.3 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-980 has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-980 is 3.33 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
4 CPU Cores 6
4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.6 GHz
4x Golden Cove Cores 6x
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
8 Threads 12
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.33 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
No Overclocking No
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i3-12100F does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-980 does not have integrated graphics.
-- Direct X --
-- Execution units --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Release date --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- Shaders --
GPU name
-- Generation --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Technology --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- AVC --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AV1 --
-- VC-1 --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- JPEG --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 24.0 GB distributed across 3 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR3-1066
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
No ECC No
2 Memory channels 3
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI No
128.0 GB Max. Memory 24.0 GB
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 58 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
89 W TDP (PL2) None
100 °C Tjunction max --
58 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i3-12100F is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-980 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
12.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
LGA 1700 Socket LGA 1366
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
5.0 MB L2-Cache 1.5 MB
Q1/2022 Release date Q2/2011
Alder Lake S Architecture Gulftown
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
97 $ Release price 594 $
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
-- Part Number --
10 nm Technology 32 nm