Intel Core i7-980X vs AMD Opteron 3280

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-980X or Intel Core i7-980X – 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 i7-980X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-980X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
The AMD Opteron 3280 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2012 and belongs to the 1 generation of the AMD Opteron series.
To use the AMD Opteron 3280, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3+ socket.
Intel Core i7 900 Group AMD Opteron 3000
1 Generation 1
Intel Core i7-980X Name AMD Opteron 3280
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD Opteron
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-980X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-980X 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.
The AMD Opteron 3280 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Opteron 3280 is 2.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
None None 2.7 GHz
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.5 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
3.33 GHz Frequency 2.4 GHz
6 CPU Cores 8
Yes Overclocking No
Yes Hyperthreading No
6x Cores 8x
12 Threads 8
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-980X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Opteron 3280 does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Release date --
GPU name
-- Shaders --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- Max. displays --
 
 

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

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.
DDR3-1066 Memory type DDR3-1866
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth --
No AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
pci PCIe pci
24.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
3 Memory channels 2
 
 

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.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W watts.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-980X is manufactured using a 32 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 AMD Opteron 3280 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V
32 nm Technology 32 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
-- Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design --
Q1/2010 Release date Q1/2012
1059 $ Release price 229 $
1.5 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
12.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB
LGA 1366 Socket AM3+
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Gulftown Architecture Zurich (Bulldozer)