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 i7-13700HX 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 i7-13700HX 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 i7-13700HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+21.2% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $494 less on MSRP ($485 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.3 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 165W, a 110W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 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.
❌Lower PassMark (32,157 vs 32,187).

Core i9-10980XE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 66.3 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 165W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i7-13700HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13700HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10980XE better than Core i7-13700HX?

Yes. Core i9-10980XE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10980XE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10980XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Core i9-10980XE is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-10980XE comes in 101.9% more expensive on MSRP at $979 MSRP versus $485 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-13700HX only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.7% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-13700HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and 21.2% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-13700HX vs Core i9-10980XE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-13700HX

The Core i7-13700HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,157 points. Launch price was $485.

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 i7-13700HX packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-10980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-13700HX versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-13700HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10980XE uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700HX scores 32,157 against the Core i9-10980XE's 32,187 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700HX vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-10980XE
Cores / Threads	16 / 24	18 / 36+13%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+4%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+21%	24.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Cascade Lake-X (2019)
PassMark	32,157	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 i7-13700HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i7-13700HX versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE — the Core i7-13700HX supports 63.7% 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 i7-13700HX) vs 4 (Core i9-10980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700HX) vs 48 (Core i9-10980XE) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Core i7-13700HX) and X299 (Core i9-10980XE).

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-10980XE
Socket	FCBGA1964	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+64%	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

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13700HX) vs Yes (Core i9-10980XE). The Core i7-13700HX includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-10980XE
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-13700HX was priced at $485, while the Core i9-10980XE came in at $979. On launch pricing ($485 vs $979), Core i7-13700HX was $494 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700HX delivers 66.3 pts/$ vs 32.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-10980XE — making the Core i7-13700HX the 67.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-13700HX	Core i9-10980XE
MSRP	$485-50%	$979
Performance per Dollar	66.3+102%	32.9
Release Date	2023	2019

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