Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i7-980X (Intel, 2010) and Core i7-3770 (Intel, 2012) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i7-980X is about 3.7% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1156 / LGA1155), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i7-980X | i7-3770 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 8,500 | 8,200 |
| Generation | 1st Gen | 3rd Gen |
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1155 |
| Release Year | 2010 | 2012 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 980 | GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i7-980X |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i7-3770 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i7-980X is about 3.7% higher by score (i7-980X: 8500 points / i7-3770: 8200 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i7-980X is 1st Gen, while i7-3770 is 3rd Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1156 / LGA1155), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 980 pairs well with i7-980X and GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER pairs well with i7-3770. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
