Intel Core i9-9900KF vs Intel Core i7-980

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-9900KF or Intel Core i9-9900KF – 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 i9-9900KF features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2019 and belongs to the 9 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-9900KF, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151-2 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 i9-9900KF Name Intel Core i7-980
Intel Core i9 Family Intel Core i7
9 Generation 1
Intel Core i 9000 Group Intel Core i7 900
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-9900KF has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-9900KF is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 5.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
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.
5.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.6 GHz
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.6 GHz Frequency 3.33 GHz
16 Threads 12
4.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
8 CPU Cores 6
8x Cores 6x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-9900KF does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-980 does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

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

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 42.7 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.
2 Memory channels 3
128.0 GB Max. Memory 24.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI No
No ECC No
42.7 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
DDR4-2666 Memory type DDR3-1066
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 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.
100 °C Tjunction max --
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-9900KF is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 16.0 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.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
Q1/2019 Release date Q2/2011
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 1.5 MB
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Coffee Lake S Refresh Architecture Gulftown
14 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1151-2 Socket LGA 1366
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
600 $ Release price 594 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
16.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
18702
18702
Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
6895
6895

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
8779
8779
Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
3370
3370

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
8182
8182
Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2714
2714

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
5564
5564
Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2275
2275

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
1650
1650
Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
645
645

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C 16T @ 3.6 GHz
1342
1342
Intel Core i7-980
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
614
614