Core i9-10980XE
Ryzen AI Max 385
Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen AI Max 385 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 AI Max 385 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen AI Max 385: 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
2019Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌Launch MSRP is still $979 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max 385 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 AI Max 385 moves to FP11 and DDR5.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen AI Max 385 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Ryzen AI Max 385
2025Why buy it
- ✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
- ✅Draws 55W instead of 165W, a 110W reduction.
- ✅Newer platform on FP11 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 8050S, while Core i9-10980XE needs a discrete GPU.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i9-10980XE.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,500 vs 24,309).
Quick Answers
So, is Core i9-10980XE better than Ryzen AI Max 385?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen AI Max 385 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 AI Max 385
The Ryzen AI Max 385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP11. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,274 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 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 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max 385 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Ryzen AI Max 385's 32,274 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 385. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 24,309 vs 16,500 (38.3% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,242 vs 2,800, a 77.1% lead for the Ryzen AI Max 385 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 AI Max 385.
| Feature | Core i9-10980XE | Ryzen AI Max 385 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36+125% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz | 5 GHz+4% |
| 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 | 4 nm-71% |
| Architecture | Cascade Lake-X (2019) | Strix Halo (2025) |
| PassMark | 32,187 | 32,274 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 24,309+47% | 16,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,242 | 2,800+125% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 16,275+16% | 14,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI Max 385 uses FP11 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE versus LPDDR5x-8000 on the Ryzen AI Max 385 — the Ryzen AI Max 385 supports 172.8% 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. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 20 (Ryzen AI Max 385) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10980XE) and Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max 385).
| Feature | Core i9-10980XE | Ryzen AI Max 385 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | FP11 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2933 | LPDDR5x-8000+173% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| 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 AI Max 385). The Ryzen AI Max 385 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 8050S), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI Max 385 targets High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max 385 rivals Core Ultra 9 285H.
| Feature | Core i9-10980XE | Ryzen AI Max 385 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon 8050S |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | Yes | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | High-performance AI / Gaming Laptop |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i9-10980XE was priced at $979, while the Ryzen AI Max 385 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($979 vs $0), Ryzen AI Max 385 was $979 cheaper.
| Feature | Core i9-10980XE | Ryzen AI Max 385 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $979 | $0-100% |
| Performance per Dollar | 32.9 | — |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2025 |
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