Core i7-990X

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-990X

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i7-990X based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,612 Rank: 1183
Rank Name Score Visual
1179 Core i5-6300U 4,615
+0.1%
1180 Core i7-4650U 4,614
+0%
1181 Athlon Gold 3150U 4,613
+0%
1182 Pentium G3258 4,612
+0%
1183 Core i7-990X 4,612
1184 Core m5-6Y54 4,610
+-0%
1185 Core i3-7020U 4,610
+-0%
1186 Xeon X5687 4,607
-0.1%
1187 Xeon X3460 4,603
-0.2%
1188 Core i7-950 4,602
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-990X based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,700 Rank: 961
Rank Name Score Visual
957 Xeon E5-2630L v2 4,703
+0.1%
958 Core i7-975 4,703
+0.1%
959 Xeon E3-1535M v6 4,702
+0%
960 Core i5-2550K 4,702
+0%
961 Core i7-990X 4,700
962 Core i5-4460 4,699
+-0%
963 Ryzen 5 3500U 4,698
+-0%
964 Ryzen 3 PRO 3300U 4,698
+-0%
965 Xeon E3-1245 v5 4,696
-0.1%
966 Xeon E5-1603 v4 4,695
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-990X based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,553 Rank: 1249
Rank Name Score Visual
1245 Pentium G860 4,556
+0.1%
1246 Xeon E3-1225 4,556
+0.1%
1247 Pentium G3250T 4,555
+0%
1248 Xeon E5-2650L v4 4,553
+0%
1249 Core i7-990X 4,553
1250 Core i5-2500 4,550
-0.1%
1251 A8-9600 4,550
-0.1%
1252 Core i7-2675QM 4,549
-0.1%
1253 A10-5800B 4,549
-0.1%
1254 Core i5-3437U 4,544
-0.2%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i7-990X based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,714 Rank: 631
Rank Name Score Visual
627 Core i7-8809G 4,718
+0.1%
628 Core i7-7700 4,718
+0.1%
629 Core i5-10400H 4,716
+0%
630 Core i7-4980HQ 4,715
+0%
631 Core i7-990X 4,714
632 Core i5-8259U 4,713
+-0%
633 Xeon E-2224G 4,712
+-0%
634 Core i5-8500T 4,712
+-0%
635 Ryzen 5 2500X 4,712
+-0%
636 Core i3-10100 4,712
+-0%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-990X based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,739 Rank: 619
Rank Name Score Visual
615 Xeon Gold 5222 4,743
+0.1%
616 Xeon E5-2630 v2 4,743
+0.1%
617 Xeon X5690 4,741
+0%
618 Core i7-7700 4,740
+0%
619 Core i7-990X 4,739
620 Core i7-1185G7 4,738
+-0%
621 Xeon W3680 4,737
+-0%
622 Xeon E3-1245 v6 4,736
-0.1%
623 Xeon E3-1240 v6 4,736
-0.1%
624 Ryzen 5 2400GE 4,736
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-990X based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,658 Rank: 827
Rank Name Score Visual
823 Core i7-3770S 4,660
+0%
824 Xeon E3-1230 V2 4,659
+0%
825 Core i5-4430 4,659
+0%
826 Core i7-4700HQ 4,658
+0%
827 Core i7-990X 4,658
828 Core i5-10310U 4,658
+0%
829 Core i3-9100TE 4,658
+0%
830 Core i7-3940XM 4,657
+-0%
831 Core i5-8250U 4,656
+-0%
832 Core i7-4710HQ 4,656
+-0%

View full ranking →

Core i7-990X Details

The Intel Core i7-990X stands out from its predecessors by bridging the gap between enthusiast-level performance and mainstream desktop computing, offering a unique blend of raw power and overclocking flexibility that was rare at the time of its release. Launched in February 2011, this processor is based on Intel’s Gulftown architecture, built on a 32 nm process and featuring a die size of 239 mm² with 1.17 billion transistors. As part of the Core i7 Extreme lineup, it was designed for high-end desktop users who demanded top-tier performance, particularly in multithreaded workloads such as video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific simulations.

With six cores and 12 threads enabled via Intel Hyper-Threading, the Core i7-990X operates at a base frequency of 3.466 GHz, capable of boosting up to 3.733 GHz under load. This makes it one of the most powerful consumer processors of its era, though it comes with a substantial 130 W TDP, requiring robust cooling solutions. The processor supports triple-channel DDR3 memory, which, combined with a 12 MB L3 cache and a 32-bit FPU, ensures strong memory bandwidth and efficient data handling.

Despite lacking integrated graphics, the Core i7-990X relies on a PCIe 2.0 interface for communication with other system components, making it ideal for users with discrete GPUs. It supports a wide range of advanced instruction sets, including AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, and BMI1/BMI2, which enhance performance in encryption, multimedia, and machine learning tasks. The unlocked multiplier also makes it highly attractive to overclockers, allowing fine-tuned frequency adjustments.

In benchmark testing, the Core i7-990X achieves an overall score of 4612, ranking #1182 out of 2060 processors, with a single-core score of 4553 (#1248) and a multicore score of 4700 (#961). While it trails behind modern processors like the Ryzen Threadripper and Core Ultra series, it still holds its own against many current-generation CPUs in certain workloads. For example, it outperforms several mid-range modern processors such as the Ryzen 3 PRO 3300U and the Core i5-4460 in multicore performance, though it falls short in single-threaded tasks compared to newer designs.

As of March 2026, the Core i7-990X remains a testament to Intel’s engineering prowess during the early 2010s, offering a compelling mix of core count, clock speeds, and overclocking headroom. While it is now considered outdated due to its age and high power consumption, it still serves as a capable option for legacy systems or enthusiasts maintaining older platforms. Its legacy lives on in the foundation it laid for future high-end desktop CPUs.
Frequently Compared

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 33 views

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 31 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 30 views

AMD Ryzen 5 3500X 29 views

Intel Atom Z520 29 views

Intel Core i7-990X

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-990X
Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Base Frequency: 3466 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 26x (unlocked)
Core Name: Gulftown
Socket: Socket 1366
Package: FC-LGA10
Target Segment: Desktop
TDP: 130 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 11.444 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Die Area: 239 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel

CPU Features

MMX EMMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 ABM BMI1 BMI2 FMA3 AES RdRand ADX CLMUL F16C x86-16 x86-32 x86-64 Real Protected SMM FPU NX SSE4a SHA AMD-Vi AMD-V SenseMI Boost 2 XFR 2
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