Core i9-10980HK vs Xeon E5-2680 v4

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 i9-10980HK vs Xeon E5-2680 v4 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 i9-10980HK vs Xeon E5-2680 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10980HK

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 120W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,037 vs 17,292).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2680 v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2680 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅+118.8% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10980HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌166.7% higher power demand at 120W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10980HK better than Xeon E5-2680 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2680 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-10980HK is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2680 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 118.8% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Core i9-10980HK still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-10980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10980HK vs Xeon E5-2680 v4 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E5-2680 v4

The Xeon E5-2680 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,292 points. Launch price was $1,745.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10980HK packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10980HK versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v4 — a 42.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-10980HK (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i9-10980HK uses the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980HK scores 17,037 against the Xeon E5-2680 v4's 17,292 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v4. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980HK vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2680 v4.

Feature	Core i9-10980HK	Xeon E5-2680 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+55%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	35 MB+119%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	3.5 MB+1300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-H (2020)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	17,037	17,292+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-10980HK	Xeon E5-2680 v4
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-10980HK) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2680 v4). Direct competitor: Xeon E5-2680 v4 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.