Is my Intel i7 980 futureproof?

[Trimax]

I have had a lot of people say to me that my CPU is very dated and is not going to be futureproof. But the CPU has higher specs then 98% of the CPU's on the market atm.

Here are the detailed specs:
Processor Number i7-980
# of Cores 6
# of Threads 12
Clock Speed 3.33 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency 3.6 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache 12 MB
Intel® QPI Speed 4.8 GT/s
# of QPI Links 1
Instruction Set 64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions SSE4.2
Embedded Options Available No
Lithography 32 nm
Max TDP 130 W
VID Voltage Range 0.800V-1.300V
Socket LGA1366

More info on the CPU here: http://ark.intel.com/products/58664/Intel-Core-i7-980-Processor-12M-Cache-3_33-ghz-4_8-gts-Intel-qpi

 

[logainofhades]

There is no such thing as future proof. Hardware changes quite often. That being said, your CPU is still pretty good for another year or two at least. Most programs cannot take full advantage of the power of your CPU as it is. If your concern is gaming at all, GPU matters far more and your CPU is definitely still very capable for games.

 

[Trimax]

There is no such thing as future proof. Hardware changes quite often. That being said, your CPU is still pretty good for another year or two at least. Most programs cannot take full advantage of the power of your CPU as it is. If your concern is gaming at all, GPU matters far more and your CPU is definitely still very capable for games.

Ok thanks. I mostly use it for rendering videos and gaming. So I thought I was fine aswell.

 

[gamerk316]

CPU if fine; about the same performance as the 2600k series CPU, which isn't going to be obsolete for a few years at least.

 

[Master-flaw]

Overclock that thing...
Still a great CPU that can go even further with a decent overclock.

 

[Trimax]

Overclock that thing...
Still a great CPU that can go even further with a decent overclock.

I don't know how to.... I'm a complete noob. No one has a detailed tutorial on how to overlock the i7 980 as no one has it

I know how to get into the Bios, but I need to know how what settings to change etc. Help if you can ? Thanks

 

[Master-flaw]

Overclock that thing...
Still a great CPU that can go even further with a decent overclock.

I don't know how to.... I'm a complete noob. No one has a detailed tutorial on how to overlock the i7 980 as no one has it

I know how to get into the Bios, but I need to know how what settings to change etc. Help if you can ? Thanks

Try posting another thread in the overclocking section...I'm sure someone will help you.

 

[blairdeee]

Overclock that thing...
Still a great CPU that can go even further with a decent overclock.

I don't know how to.... I'm a complete noob. No one has a detailed tutorial on how to overlock the i7 980 as no one has it

I know how to get into the Bios, but I need to know how what settings to change etc. Help if you can ? Thanks

I have the exact same CPU. The easiest way to overclock is to get a motherboard with an overclocking feature already programed into the BIOS. I use the Gigabyte X58A-OC board. it has a 1 button 4GHz feature right on the board. I completely agree that the high end LGA 1366 is still a great set up. I have mine running at 4.2 Ghz all day long and it will run at 33 C at idle, 45 C gaming and 72C stress test. I think I have a stable configuration at 4.6 Ghz but my cooler can't keep up. I keep trying to find an excuse to build a new rig, but when I run Passmark and compare to what's out there, It's a lot of coin for a new board, CPU, and RAM for a small gain.

The old girl still has some life left in her:


Compared to the best:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html