Core i9-7980XE vs EPYC 7371

Core i9-7980XE vs EPYC 7371 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

0.0%

30,156

+1.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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 i9-7980XE vs EPYC 7371 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 i9-7980XE vs EPYC 7371: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-7980XE

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 165W instead of 200W, a 35W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7371 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,634 vs 30,156).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7371, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,999 MSRP, while EPYC 7371 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

EPYC 7371

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 44.
✅190.9% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 44) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌21.2% higher power demand at 200W vs 165W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7371 better than Core i9-7980XE?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7371 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i9-7980XE is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7371 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7371 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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

EPYC 7371 is still the much better call for a fresh build. EPYC 7371 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7980XE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

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

EPYC 7371 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-7980XE vs EPYC 7371 Technical Specifications

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

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.

EPYC 7371

The EPYC 7371 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 November 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,156 points. Launch price was $1,550.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the EPYC 7371 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 3.8 GHz on the EPYC 7371 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-7980XE (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7371 uses Naples (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the EPYC 7371's 30,156 — a 1.7% lead for the EPYC 7371. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7371.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	EPYC 7371
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+13%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.1 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+159%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Naples (2017−2018)
PassMark	29,634	30,156+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,216
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,941

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7371 uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The EPYC 7371 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 8 (EPYC 7371). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 128 (EPYC 7371) — the EPYC 7371 offers 84 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	EPYC 7371
Socket	LGA2066	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44	128+191%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-7980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7980XE) vs AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7371). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, EPYC 7371 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: EPYC 7371 rivals Xeon Gold 6134.