Core i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 245T

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 i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 245T 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 i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 245T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10980XE

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

❌Lower PassMark (32,187 vs 32,444).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 120.2 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $270 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 245T moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 245T

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $709 less on MSRP ($270 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 265.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.2 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($270 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1851 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.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245T better than Core i9-10980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10980XE is ahead with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245T pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 245T is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 245T comes in $709 cheaper on MSRP at $270 MSRP versus $979 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10980XE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 265.5% better value on MSRP (120.2 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 5 245T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 18/36. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10980XE vs Core Ultra 5 245T Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 5 245T

The Core Ultra 5 245T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 32,444 points. Launch price was $270.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 245T offers 14 cores / 14 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE versus 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245T — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245T (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Core Ultra 5 245T's 32,444 — a 0.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245T. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 245T.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 245T
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+29%	14 / 14
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)+3%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	3 MB (per core)+200%
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-X (2019)	Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
PassMark	32,187	32,444
Cinebench R23 Multi	24,309	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,242	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,275	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 245T uses LGA1851 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245T — the Core Ultra 5 245T supports 118.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 256 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 2 (Core Ultra 5 245T). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 20 (Core Ultra 5 245T) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 245T
Socket	LGA2066	LGA1851
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-6400+118%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	256 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48+140%	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-10980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-10980XE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 245T). The Core Ultra 5 245T includes integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG 64EU), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 245T targets Desktop Low Power.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 245T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Arc Xe-LPG 64EU
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop Low Power

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10980XE was priced at $979, while the Core Ultra 5 245T came in at $270. On launch pricing ($979 vs $270), Core Ultra 5 245T was $709 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10980XE delivers 32.9 pts/$ vs 120.2 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 245T — making the Core Ultra 5 245T the 114.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Core Ultra 5 245T
MSRP	$979	$270-72%
Performance per Dollar	32.9	120.2+265%
Release Date	2019	2025

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