Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Intel Core i7-980

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Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition compared with Core i7-980

	IntelCore i7-3960X Extreme Edition	IntelCore i7-980
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	June 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	6
Threads
Threads	12	12
Base clock
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.33 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.9 GHz (better)	3.6 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	15 MB (better)	12 MB
Cores
Cores	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading; fully unlocked multiplier confirmed by Intel’s exact product brief. Intel states that VT-d requires C2 stepping.	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading. TechSpot's exact non-Extreme launch report confirms a locked multiplier; this is distinct from the unlocked i7-980X.
Clocks
Clocks	3.30 GHz base and up to 3.90 GHz Turbo Boost 2.0. Intel gives Q4 2011; EE Times’ contemporary 14 November report quotes Intel confirming the exact model is available now. Newegg’s earlier listing date alone does not establish sale.	3.33 GHz base and up to 3.6 GHz Turbo Boost. Intel lists Q2 2011. June retail availability is confirmed by ASCII's contemporary 26 June 2011 shop report; the month is retained because a maker-confirmed first-sale day was not found.
Cache
Cache	15 MB shared L3 cache.	12 MB shared L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	Intel’s exact-model Extreme Edition chart lists no processor graphics.	Intel's exact-model comparison chart lists no processor graphics.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1366
Base power
Base power	130 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	Yes
Memory support
Memory support	Up to 64 GB across four DDR3-1066/1333/1600 channels; maximum 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC.	DDR3-1066 rated maximum in Intel's exact-model chart; the exact Newegg listing confirms three-channel memory. Optional maximum capacity is omitted.
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes in Intel’s current exact specification page.	The exact Newegg listing specifies a 4.8 GT/s QPI connection. No CPU PCIe lane count is assumed for this chipset-based platform.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel’s 66.8°C limit is TCASE, not junction temperature.	32 nm; Gulftown.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly says the boxed product has no fan or heatsink. Requires separate LGA2011-compatible cooling; the original product brief names X79.	Intel's 32 nm Core i7-900 datasheet includes an unattached fan heatsink with boxed processors. Tray and second-hand packages may differ.