Intel Pentium B980 vs Intel Core i7-2960XM

VS
Performance
Pentium B980
2,203.56% of 36,991
Core i7-2960XM268% better
8,09822% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 268% better performance than the Pentium B980 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Pentium B980
No data available
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53

The Core i7-2960XM has 6% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: Intel Core i5-13400F.

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Summary

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About the Intel Pentium B980 CPU

The Intel Pentium B980 is a 2-core (2-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q3 2012. It is part of Intel's Pentium lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The B980 is compatible with Intel Socket G2 (988B) motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD (Sandy Bridge) integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Pentium B980 supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Pentium B980 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 2 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Pentium B980 features 2 total cores which can process 2 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.4 GHz. Higher clock speeds result in higher performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Pentium B980 includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD (Sandy Bridge). This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance

The Pentium B980 has the 596th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 5.96% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

About the Intel Core i7-2960XM CPU

The Intel Core i7-2960XM is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q3 2011 with a suggested retail price of $1,096. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i7-2960XM is compatible with Intel Socket G2 (988B) motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-2960XM supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-2960XM has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-2960XM features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-2960XM includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-2960XM has the 306th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 21.89% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 8,098 score and $1,096 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 7.39. This is the 208th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesPentiumCore i7 Extreme
Market SegmentMobileMobile
Release DateQ3 2012Q3 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)--$1,096
Production Status--End-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Pentium B980
2,203.56% of 36,991
Core i7-2960XM268% better
8,09822% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 268% better performance than the Pentium B980 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Pentium B980 is ranked 596th with a score of 2,203.5, and the Core i7-2960XM is ranked 306th with a score of 8,098.

Performance per dollar
Pentium B980
No data available
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53

The Core i7-2960XM has 14% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Core i7-2960XM's 7.39 performance per dollar ranks it 0th among the other benchmarked CPUs in our database.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Pentium B980 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-8259U8,528.5+287%
Core i7-4900MQ8,490+285%
Core i7-2960XM8,098+268%
Core i7-4810MQ8,012+264%
Core i7-4710MQ7,979+262%
Core i5-450M2,222+1%
Celeron N41002,213+0%
Pentium B9802,203.5
Core i3-3227U2,195.5-0%
Core M-5Y102,171-1%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Pentium B980 orCore i7-2960XM
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-5650U8.92+21%
Core i7-4940MX8.58+16%
Core i7-840QM8.25+12%
Core i7-5550U8.15+10%
Core i7-4930MX7.96+8%
Core i7-2960XM7.39
Core i7-820QM7.33-1%
Core i7-2920XM7.22-2%
Core m7-6Y756.82-8%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
2,203.5
8,098
(+267.51%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
644
1,963
(+204.81%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
372
603
(+62.1%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
1,080
4,754
(+340.19%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
1,045
1,598
(+52.92%)
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size32 nm32 nm
Transistors504 million1,160 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
SeriesPentiumCore i7 Extreme
MicroarchitectureSandy BridgeSandy Bridge
CodenameSandy BridgeSandy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR3DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
Cores24
Threads28
Clock Speed2.4 GHz2.7 GHz
Turbo Clock--3.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier24.0x27.0x
Multiplier UnlockedNoYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB256 KB
L3 Cache2 MB8 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
SocketIntel Socket G2 (988B)Intel Socket G2 (988B)
PCI Express--PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)35 W55 W
TJ Max85 °C100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecPentium B980Core i7-2960XM
Integrated GraphicsIntel HD (Sandy Bridge)Intel HD 3000
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, Smart CacheMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.