PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-14600 vs Core i9-10980XE FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-14600 vs Core i9-10980XE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-14600

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $724 less on MSRP ($255 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 285.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($255 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i9-10980XE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (32,187 vs 32,319).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 126.7 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $255 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i5-14600 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-14600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14600 better than Core i9-10980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10980XE is ahead with a 12.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14600 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-14600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-14600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-14600 comes in $724 cheaper on MSRP at $255 MSRP versus $979 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10980XE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 285.5% better value on MSRP (126.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-14600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 18/36. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-14600 vs Core i9-10980XE Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-14600

The Core i5-14600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 32,319 points. Launch price was $255.

Core i9-10980XE

The Core i9-10980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 32,187 points. Launch price was $979.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-14600 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-10980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i5-14600 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i5-14600 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-14600 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10980XE uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14600 scores 32,319 against the Core i9-10980XE's 32,187 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-14600. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14600 vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Core i9-10980XE
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	18 / 36+29%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+8%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	24.75 MB (total)+3%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Cascade Lake-X (2019)
PassMark	32,319	32,187
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	24,309
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,242
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	16,275

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14600 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-14600 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE — the Core i5-14600 supports 90.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10980XE supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-14600) vs 4 (Core i9-10980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-14600) vs 48 (Core i9-10980XE) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Core i9-10980XE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+91%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-10980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-14600) vs Yes (Core i9-10980XE). The Core i5-14600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Core i9-10980XE
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-14600 was priced at $255, while the Core i9-10980XE came in at $979. On launch pricing ($255 vs $979), Core i5-14600 was $724 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-14600 delivers 126.7 pts/$ vs 32.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-10980XE — making the Core i5-14600 the 117.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-14600	Core i9-10980XE
MSRP	$255-74%	$979
Performance per Dollar	126.7+285%	32.9
Release Date	2024	2019

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