Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

+32.1%

22,430

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

✅+32.1% higher PassMark.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +29.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 359.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 29,634).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i9-7980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 3700X is ahead with a 29.5% 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 32.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X 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 i9-7980XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 32.1% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $1,670 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 29.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-7980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 32.1% better PassMark. It is also 359.9% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 27.7% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	32 MB+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	29,634+32%	22,430

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7980XE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 3700X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7980XE) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7980XE was priced at $1999, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($1999 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $1670 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7980XE delivers 14.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 128.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$1999	$329-84%
Performance per Dollar	14.8	68.2+361%
Release Date	2017	2019

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