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 i7-14700T 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 i7-14700T 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 i7-14700T

2024

Why buy it

✅+13% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $595 less on MSRP ($384 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 150.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 82.3 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($384 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 165W, a 130W reduction.

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: +8.4% 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 Geekbench multi-core (16,275 vs 18,390).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 33 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 82.3 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $384 MSRP).
❌371.4% higher power demand at 165W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core i7-14700T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-14700T better than Core i9-10980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10980XE is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-14700T pulls ahead with 13% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-14700T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-14700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 13% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Core i7-14700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-14700T comes in $595 cheaper on MSRP at $384 MSRP versus $979 MSRP, and it still gives you 13% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-10980XE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 150.3% better value on MSRP (82.3 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), 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 i7-14700T 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, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (33 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 28 threads instead of 18/36. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-14700T vs Core i9-10980XE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-14700T

The Core i7-14700T 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 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 31,604 points. Launch price was $384.

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 i7-14700T packs 20 cores / 28 threads, while the Core i9-10980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i7-14700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i7-14700T versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-14700T (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-14700T 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 i7-14700T scores 31,604 against the Core i9-10980XE's 32,187 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,723 vs 1,242, a 74.7% lead for the Core i7-14700T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,390 vs 16,275 (12.2% advantage for the Core i7-14700T). L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-14700T vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE.

Feature	Core i7-14700T	Core i9-10980XE
Cores / Threads	20 / 28+11%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+8%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3 GHz+131%
L3 Cache	33 MB (total)+33%	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-R (2023−2025)	Cascade Lake-X (2019)
PassMark	31,604	32,187+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	24,309
Geekbench 6 Single	2,723+119%	1,242
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,390+13%	16,275

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-14700T uses the LGA1700 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 DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-14700T versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE — the Core i7-14700T 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 i7-14700T) vs 4 (Core i9-10980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-14700T) vs 48 (Core i9-10980XE) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760,H770,Z690,B660,H610 (Core i7-14700T) and X299 (Core i9-10980XE).

Feature	Core i7-14700T	Core i9-10980XE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	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, EPT (Core i7-14700T) vs Yes (Core i9-10980XE). The Core i7-14700T includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-14700T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-14700T rivals Ryzen 7 7700.

Feature	Core i7-14700T	Core i9-10980XE
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 770	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Productivity	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-14700T was priced at $384, while the Core i9-10980XE came in at $979. On launch pricing ($384 vs $979), Core i7-14700T was $595 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-14700T delivers 82.3 pts/$ vs 32.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-10980XE — making the Core i7-14700T the 85.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-14700T	Core i9-10980XE
MSRP	$384-61%	$979
Performance per Dollar	82.3+150%	32.9
Release Date	2024	2019

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