Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 8700G

CPU

GPU

Core i9-10980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019

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Ryzen 7 8700G

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2024

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Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 8700G Performance Spectrum

Core i9-10980XE

18 / 36

32,187

+1.7%

31,649

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

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 8700G 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 8700G: 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

✅+35% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.9 vs 96.2 PassMark/$ ($979 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 8700G moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 8700G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 8700G

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $650 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 192.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.2 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,000 vs 24,309).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8700G better than Core i9-10980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 8700G is ahead with a 6.0% 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 35% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-10980XE also has the bigger cache pool with 54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 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 35% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 8700G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 8700G comes in $650 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $979 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-10980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 35% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 192.6% better value on MSRP (96.2 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 8700G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen 7 8700G 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 8700G

The Ryzen 7 8700G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,649 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700G 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 8700G — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G (base: 3 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700G uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Ryzen 7 8700G's 31,649 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 24,309 vs 18,000 (29.8% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,242 vs 2,720, a 74.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,275 vs 14,326 (12.7% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700G.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 8700G
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3 GHz	4.2 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)+55%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-X (2019)	Phoenix (2023−2024)
PassMark	32,187+2%	31,649
Cinebench R23 Multi	24,309+35%	18,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,242	2,720+119%
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,275+14%	14,326

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700G uses AM5 (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 8700G — the Ryzen 7 8700G supports 77.3% 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 (Ryzen 7 8700G). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 20 (Ryzen 7 8700G) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10980XE) and X670,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700G).

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 8700G
Socket	LGA2066	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-5200+77%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	256 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+140%	20

🔧

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 8700G). The Ryzen 7 8700G includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 8700G targets High-end Desktop APU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 8700G rivals Core i7-13700.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 8700G
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon 780M
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	—	High-end Desktop APU

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10980XE was priced at $979, while the Ryzen 7 8700G came in at $329. On launch pricing ($979 vs $329), Ryzen 7 8700G was $650 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10980XE delivers 32.9 pts/$ vs 96.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 8700G — making the Ryzen 7 8700G the 98.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen 7 8700G
MSRP	$979	$329-66%
Performance per Dollar	32.9	96.2+192%
Release Date	2019	2024

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