Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i9-7980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

0.0%

38,955

+31.5%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X: 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

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (29,634 vs 38,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
❌57.1% higher power demand at 165W vs 105W.

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,450 less on MSRP ($549 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 378.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 165W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core i9-7980XE?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 44.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31.5% 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 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 44.3% 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, Ryzen 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 31.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 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?

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in $1,450 cheaper on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 44.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 378.6% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 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 Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 27.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+50%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+42%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	64 MB+159%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	29,634	38,955+31%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
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 9 5900X). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7980XE was priced at $1999, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($1999 vs $549), Ryzen 9 5900X was $1450 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7980XE delivers 14.8 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 130.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$1999	$549-73%
Performance per Dollar	14.8	71.0+380%
Release Date	2017	2020

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