Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 9 7940H
Core i9-7980XE
Ryzen 9 7940H
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-7980XE
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-7980XE | Ryzen 9 7940H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Phoenix (2023−2024) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-7980XE | Ryzen 9 7940H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 7940H
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 7940H
The Ryzen 9 7940H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600. Passmark benchmark score: 29,151 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7940H 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 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7940H — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7940H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7940H uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Ryzen 9 7940H's 29,151 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7940H.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Ryzen 9 7940H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36+125% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.2 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 4 GHz+54% |
| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB (total)+55% | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 4 nm-71% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Phoenix (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 29,634+2% | 29,151 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 17,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,646 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 13,495 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 7940H uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7980XE versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 7940H — the Ryzen 9 7940H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 7940H supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 7940H). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 20 (Ryzen 9 7940H) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Ryzen 9 7940H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-5600+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 44+120% | 20 |
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, SVM (Ryzen 9 7940H). The Ryzen 9 7940H includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core i9-7980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Ryzen 9 7940H targets High-performance Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 7940H rivals Core i9-13900H.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Ryzen 9 7940H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon 780M |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V, SVM |
| Target Use | Workstation | High-performance Gaming Laptop |
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