Intel Core i7-920 vs Intel Core i7-990X

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-920 or Intel Core i7-920 – 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 i7-920 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2008 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-920, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
The Intel Core i7-990X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-990X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
Intel Core i7 900 Group Intel Core i7 900
1 Generation 1
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-920 Name Intel Core i7-990X
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-920 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-920 is 2.66 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 2.93 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-990X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-990X is 3.46 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.73 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
8 Threads 12
4x Cores 6x
4 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking Yes
2.93 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.73 GHz
2.66 GHz Frequency 3.46 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-920 does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-990X does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

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

Memory & PCIe

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
No AES-NI No
DDR3-1066 Memory type DDR3-1066
No ECC No
24.0 GB Max. Memory 24.0 GB
3 Memory channels 3
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 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.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-920 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-990X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
Q4/2008 Release date Q1/2011
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
45 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
305 $ Release price 1059 $
Bloomfield Architecture Gulftown
8.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
BX80601920 Part Number --
LGA 1366 Socket LGA 1366
1.0 MB L2-Cache 1.5 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
6975
6975
Intel Core i7-920
4C 8T @ 2.66 GHz
2800
2800

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
3765
3765
Intel Core i7-920
4C 8T @ 2.66 GHz
2085
2085

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
3247
3247
Intel Core i7-920
4C 8T @ 2.66 GHz
1771
1771

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
2460
2460
Intel Core i7-920
4C 8T @ 2.66 GHz
1263
1263

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
660
660
Intel Core i7-920
4C 8T @ 2.66 GHz
525
525

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-990X
6C 12T @ 3.46 GHz
639
639
Intel Core i7-920
4C 8T @ 2.66 GHz
513
513