Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 5700X

CPU

GPU

Core i9-7980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 5700X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

+11.4%

26,609

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 5700X 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 5700X: 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

✅+11.4% 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 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,700 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 500.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (26,609 vs 29,634).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i9-7980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 5700X is ahead with a 25.6% 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 11.4% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 5700X 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 11.4% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in $1,700 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-7980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 11.4% better PassMark. It is also 500.3% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 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 5700X 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 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 10.8% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.4 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	29,634+11%	26,609
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	14,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,116
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,715

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 5700X — the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 5700X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700X) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 5700X
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

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 (Ryzen 7 5700X). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7980XE was priced at $1999, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($1999 vs $299), Ryzen 7 5700X was $1700 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7980XE delivers 14.8 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 142.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 5700X
MSRP	$1999	$299-85%
Performance per Dollar	14.8	89.0+501%
Release Date	2017	2022

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