Core i9-7980XE vs Core i9-9980XE

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
1% HIGHER MSRP
$1,999 MSRPvs$1,979 MSRP

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($1,979 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (29,127 vs 29,634).

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($1,979 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
1% HIGHER MSRP
$1,999 MSRPvs$1,979 MSRP

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (29,127 vs 29,634).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-7980XE better than Core i9-9980XE?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i9-9980XE is ahead with a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7980XE pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7980XE is the better fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Core i9-7980XE is the smarter buy today. Core i9-7980XE is 1.0% more expensive on MSRP at $1,999 MSRP versus $1,979 MSRP, and it gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i9-9980XE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.7% better value on MSRP (14.8 vs 14.7 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i9-9980XE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-7980XE Benchmark Check

Core i9-9980XE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	167 FPS	168 FPS
medium	147 FPS	148 FPS
high	116 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	97 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	140 FPS
medium	120 FPS	120 FPS
high	95 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	78 FPS	76 FPS
medium	71 FPS	70 FPS
high	56 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	44 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i9-7980XE Open Core i9-9980XE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	470 FPS	498 FPS
medium	405 FPS	429 FPS
high	355 FPS	370 FPS
ultra	321 FPS	335 FPS
1440p
low	411 FPS	430 FPS
medium	361 FPS	377 FPS
high	319 FPS	329 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	286 FPS
4K
low	265 FPS	268 FPS
medium	232 FPS	234 FPS
high	220 FPS	222 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	192 FPS

Open Core i9-7980XE Open Core i9-9980XE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	636 FPS	728 FPS
medium	530 FPS	728 FPS
high	480 FPS	728 FPS
ultra	417 FPS	645 FPS
1440p
low	567 FPS	728 FPS
medium	479 FPS	659 FPS
high	432 FPS	624 FPS
ultra	377 FPS	554 FPS
4K
low	431 FPS	492 FPS
medium	354 FPS	414 FPS
high	319 FPS	371 FPS
ultra	262 FPS	306 FPS

Open Core i9-7980XE Open Core i9-9980XE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
1080p
low	741 FPS	728 FPS
medium	741 FPS	728 FPS
high	697 FPS	728 FPS
ultra	614 FPS	679 FPS
1440p
low	741 FPS	728 FPS
medium	680 FPS	728 FPS
high	578 FPS	639 FPS
ultra	501 FPS	558 FPS
4K
low	532 FPS	581 FPS
medium	479 FPS	525 FPS
high	422 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	365 FPS	409 FPS

Open Core i9-7980XE Open Core i9-9980XE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-9980XE

Core i9-7980XE

The Core i9-7980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,634 points. Launch price was $1,999.

Core i9-9980XE

The Core i9-9980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: 29,127 points. Launch price was $1,979.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-9980XE share an identical 18-core/36-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9980XE (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). Both are built on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Core i9-9980XE's 29,127 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. Both processors carry 24.75 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
Cores / Threads	18 / 36	18 / 36
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	24.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	29,634+2%	29,127
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	22,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,459
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	12,177

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2066 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 44 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
Socket	LGA2066	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	44	44

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Core i9-9980XE
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Workstation	HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-7980XE launched at $1999 MSRP, while the Core i9-9980XE debuted at $1979. On MSRP ($1999 vs $1979), the Core i9-9980XE is $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7980XE delivers 14.8 pts/$ vs 14.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-9980XE — making the Core i9-7980XE the 0.7% better value option.