Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-10980XE

18 / 36

32,187

+43.5%

22,430

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $650 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 107.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 32,187).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10980XE better than Ryzen 7 3700X?

Yes. Core i9-10980XE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 43.5% 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 1.9% 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 43.5% 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 still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3700X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10980XE comes in 197.6% more expensive on MSRP at $979 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 107.4% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 3700X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-10980XE (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 35.7% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+9%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	32 MB+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-X (2019)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	32,187+43%	22,430
Cinebench R23 Multi	24,309	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,242	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,275	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 9.1% 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 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10980XE) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48+100%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i9-10980XE) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10980XE was priced at $979, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($979 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $650 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10980XE delivers 32.9 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 69.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$979	$329-66%
Performance per Dollar	32.9	68.2+107%
Release Date	2019	2019

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