CPU Comparison

Core i7-870 vs Core i7-980

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-870 is a high-end desktop processor launched in September 2009, based on the 45nm Lynnfield architecture. Operating at a base frequency of 2.933 GHz and boosting up to 3.6 GHz via Turbo Boost, it was the fastest Lynnfield chip at launch. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, supported by an 8 MB L3 cache. Utilizing the LGA 1156 socket, it brought the Nehalem microarchitecture to a more accessible platform than LGA 1366. It integrates a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller and 16 PCIe 2.0 lanes directly on the CPU. Like other Lynnfield chips, it lacks an integrated GPU. With a 95W TDP, it was relatively manageable to cool. The i7-870 was the premium choice for gamers and enthusiasts in 2009, offering excellent multi-threaded performance. It was eventually overshadowed by the unlocked i7-875K, but it remains a solid representative of the early Core i7 desktop era, though obsolete today.