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.
12 Generation 1
Intel Core i3-12100F Name Intel Core i7-980
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i3 Family Intel Core i7
Intel Core i 12000 Group Intel Core i7 900
 
 

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
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.6 GHz
4x Golden Cove Cores 6x
No Overclocking No
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.33 GHz
8 Threads 12
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
normal Core architecture normal
 
 

Internal Graphics

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

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.
-- h264 --
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- VP9 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
 
 

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.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI No
128.0 GB Max. Memory 24.0 GB
2 Memory channels 3
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
No ECC No
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR3-1066
 
 

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.
58 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
100 °C Tjunction max --
89 W TDP (PL2) None
 
 

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
Alder Lake S Architecture Gulftown
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
Q1/2022 Release date Q2/2011
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
-- Part Number --
5.0 MB L2-Cache 1.5 MB
97 $ Release price 594 $
10 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1700 Socket LGA 1366
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
12.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux