Intel Core i5-2320 vs Intel Core i7-980: comparison

Comparison of Intel Core i5-2320 and Intel Core i7-980: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

Intel Core i5-2320 has a lower TDP (95 W vs 130 W) and a higher maximum memory size (32 GB vs 24 GB).

At the same time, Intel Core i7-980 has more cores (6 vs 4), more threads (12 vs 4), a higher base clock (3.33 GHz vs 3 GHz) and a higher maximum clock (3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz).

Both processors match on: process node (32 nm).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterIntel Core i5-2320Intel Core i7-980
Cores / threads 4 / 4 6 / 12
Max boost clock 3.3 GHz 3.6 GHz
L3 cache 6 MB 12 MB
TDP 95 W 130 W
Process 32 nm 32 nm
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2000 —

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter Intel Core i5-2320 Intel Core i7-980
General
Model i5-2320 i7-980
Codename Sandy Bridge Gulftown
Segment Desktop Desktop
Product line Legacy Intel Core Processors Legacy Intel Core Processors
Process 32 nm 32 nm
Launch date Q3 2011 Q2 2011
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Expected discontinuance Q1 2013 —
Servicing status End of Servicing Lifetime End of Servicing Lifetime
End of servicing updates 12/31/2019 —
Embedded options available No No
CPU
Cores 4 6
Threads 4 12
Multithreading (SMT/HT) No Yes
Base clock 3 GHz 3.33 GHz
Max boost clock 3.3 GHz 3.6 GHz
Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency 3.3 GHz —
L3 cache 6 MB 12 MB
Bus speed 5 GT/s 4.8 GT/s
TDP 95 W 130 W
Turbo Boost Yes (2) Yes (1)
64-bit support Yes Yes
Instruction set width 64 bit 64 bit
Instruction set extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.2
QPI links — 1
Memory
Max memory size 32 GB 24 GB
Memory types DDR3 DDR3
Memory channels 2 3
Max memory bandwidth 21 GB/s —
ECC memory supported No —
Graphics
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2000 —
Has integrated graphics Yes —
Graphics base frequency 850 MHz —
Graphics max frequency 1.1 GHz —
Max displays 2 —
Graphics device ID 0x102 —
Quick Sync Video Yes —
InTru 3D Yes —
Flexible Display Interface Yes —
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 2 —
PCI Express lanes 16 —
Package and thermal
Sockets supported LGA1155 FCLGA1366
Max CPU configuration 1 1
Package size 37.5mm x 37.5mm 45mm x 42.5mm
TCASE 72.6 °C 68.8 °C
Die size — 239 mm²
Security and virtualization
Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) Yes Yes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) No —
Extended Page Tables (EPT) Yes Yes
AES-NI Yes Yes
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes
Technologies
Enhanced SpeedStep Yes Yes
Idle States Yes Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes No
Identity Protection Technology Yes —
Flex Memory Access Yes —
Fast Memory Access Yes —

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