Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 7745HX

Intel

Core i9-10980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7745HX

8 Cores16 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 7745HX Performance Spectrum

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 7745HX 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 7745HX: 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

  • +30.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • 71.4% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7745HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $979 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 7745HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 200% higher power demand at 165W vs 55W.
  • Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7745HX moves to FL1 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 7745HX

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
  • Draws 55W instead of 165W, a 110W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FL1 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 610M, while Core i9-10980XE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,606 vs 24,309).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7745HX better than Core i9-10980XE?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 7745HX is ahead with a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10980XE pulls ahead with 30.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 7 7745HX also has the bigger cache pool with 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
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 30.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7745HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10980XE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 7745HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $979 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-10980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 30.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-10980XE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 7745HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FL1 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 7745HX Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7745HX

The Ryzen 7 7745HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Dragon Range (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,515 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7745HX 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 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7745HX — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7745HX (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7745HX uses Dragon Range (Zen 4) (2023) (CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Ryzen 7 7745HX's 32,515 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 7 7745HX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 24,309 vs 18,606 (26.6% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,242 vs 2,623, a 71.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 7745HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,275 vs 14,000 (15% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7745HX.

FeatureCore i9-10980XERyzen 7 7745HX
Cores / Threads
18 / 36+125%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock
3 GHz
3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache
24.75 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+29%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm-64%
Architecture
Cascade Lake-X (2019)
Dragon Range (Zen 4) (2023)
PassMark
32,187
32,515+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
24,309+31%
18,606
Geekbench 6 Single
1,242
2,623+111%
Geekbench 6 Multi
16,275+16%
14,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7745HX uses FL1 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7745HX — the Ryzen 7 7745HX supports 77.3% 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 64 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 7745HX). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7745HX) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10980XE) and FL1 (Ryzen 7 7745HX).

FeatureCore i9-10980XERyzen 7 7745HX
Socket
LGA2066
FL1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR5-5200+77%
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB+300%
64 GB
RAM Channels
4+100%
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48+71%
28
🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-10980XE) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7745HX). The Ryzen 7 7745HX includes integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7745HX targets Performance Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7745HX rivals Core i7-13700HX.

FeatureCore i9-10980XERyzen 7 7745HX
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 610M
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
Yes
AMD-V
Target Use
Performance Gaming Laptop