Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 385

CPU

GPU

Core i9-10980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019

Core family

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Ryzen AI Max PRO 385

8 Cores16 Thrd55 WWMax: 5 GHz2025

Similar parts

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Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-10980XE

18 / 36

32,187

+2.2%

31,508

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 AI Max PRO 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.

Core i9-10980XE vs Ryzen AI Max PRO 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

2019

Why buy it

✅+47.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,242 vs 2,886).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $979 MSRP, while Ryzen AI Max PRO 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 PRO 385 moves to FP11 and DDR5.

Ryzen AI Max PRO 385

2025

Why buy it

✅+132.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+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.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,500 vs 24,309).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 better than Core i9-10980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is ahead with a 0.9% 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 47.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 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 47.3% 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 AI Max PRO 385 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10980XE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $979 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-10980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 47.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-10980XE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (32.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 AI Max PRO 385 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FP11 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 AI Max PRO 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 PRO 385

The Ryzen AI Max PRO 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: 31,508 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 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 PRO 385 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 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 PRO 385 uses Strix Halo (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10980XE scores 32,187 against the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385's 31,508 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. 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 2,886, a 79.7% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,275 vs 14,136 (14.1% 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 PRO 385.

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen AI Max PRO 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+2%	31,508
Cinebench R23 Multi	24,309+47%	16,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,242	2,886+132%
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,275+15%	14,136

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI Max PRO 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 PRO 385 — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 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. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 8 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10980XE) vs 20 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 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 PRO 385).

Feature	Core i9-10980XE	Ryzen AI Max PRO 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	8+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	48+140%	20

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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 PRO 385). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 8050S), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 targets Enterprise AI Mobile. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 rivals M3 Max.