Intel Core i7-960 vs Intel Core i7-980

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Core i7-960 compared with Core i7-980

	IntelCore i7-960	IntelCore i7-980
Overview
Released
Released	October 2009	June 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	4	6 (better)
Threads
Threads	8	12 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.33 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.46 GHz	3.6 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	8 MB	12 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Four cores and eight threads with Hyper-Threading. Hardware-Magazin's exact-model introduction explicitly describes a fixed multiplier; base-clock overclocking remains possible.	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	3.2 GHz base and up to 3.46 GHz Turbo Boost. Intel lists Q4 2009. The October on-sale month uses Tom's Hardware Italia's 20 October 2009 availability report and TweakTown's 21 October report of a listed OEM chip. Japan's boxed retail availability followed in February 2010.	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	8 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 comparison chart lists no processor graphics.	Intel's exact-model comparison chart lists no processor graphics.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1366
Base power
Base power	130 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	No	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	Yes	Yes
Memory support
Memory support	Three channels of DDR3-800 or DDR3-1066; up to 24 GB in Intel's 45 nm Core i7-900 datasheet. Faster memory used by reviews is not the maker's rated limit.	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	–	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	45 nm; Bloomfield.	32 nm; Gulftown.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel's boxed-processor datasheet includes an unattached fan and heatsink. An LGA1366 motherboard is required.	Intel's 32 nm Core i7-900 datasheet includes an unattached fan heatsink with boxed processors. Tray and second-hand packages may differ.