Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

CPU

GPU

Core i9-7980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023

Ryzen family

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Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

0.0%

34,293

+15.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

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 7800X3D 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 7800X3D: 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

✅57.1% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 31 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,634 vs 34,293).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
❌37.5% higher power demand at 165W vs 120W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +65.4% higher average FPS across 31 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,550 less on MSRP ($449 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 415.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 165W, a 45W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core i9-7980XE?

Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 65.4% average FPS lead across 31 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 65.4% more average FPS across 31 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 25 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 287.9% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in $1,550 cheaper on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 65.4% average FPS lead across 31 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 415.2% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 25 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 18/36. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 2.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 14.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+69%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	96 MB (total)+288%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark	29,634	34,293+16%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	18,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,700
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	15,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7980XE versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 95% 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 7800X3D). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Socket	LGA2066	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+57%	28

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7980XE) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Core i9-7980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7980XE was priced at $1999, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($1999 vs $449), Ryzen 7 7800X3D was $1550 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7980XE delivers 14.8 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 135% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP	$1999	$449-78%
Performance per Dollar	14.8	76.4+416%
Release Date	2017	2023

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