Core i7-7820X vs Core i9-10980HK

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 i7-7820X vs Core i9-10980HK 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 i7-7820X vs Core i9-10980HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7820X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $599 MSRP, while Core i9-10980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.

Core i9-10980HK

2020

Why buy it

✅+45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,037 vs 17,171).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10980HK better than Core i7-7820X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10980HK is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7820X pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i9-10980HK also has the bigger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7820X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-10980HK is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i9-10980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-7820X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (28.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

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

Core i9-10980HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and 45.5% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 11 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-7820X vs Core i9-10980HK Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7820X

The Core i7-7820X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 17,171 points. Launch price was $599.

Core i9-10980HK

The Core i9-10980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,037 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7820X and Core i9-10980HK share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7820X versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10980HK — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-10980HK (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-7820X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-10980HK uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7820X scores 17,171 against the Core i9-10980HK's 17,037 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-7820X. L3 cache: 11 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820X vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980HK.

Feature	Core i7-7820X	Core i9-10980HK
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5.1 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	11 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+45%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	17,171	17,037

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7820X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-10980HK uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.