Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 9 7940H

Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 9 7940H Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7980XE

18 / 36

29,634

+1.7%

29,151

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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 7940H 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 7940H: 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

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅+54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 7940H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,999 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 7940H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌371.4% higher power demand at 165W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 7940H moves to FP8 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 7940H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 7940H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +45.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 165W, a 130W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Core i9-7980XE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (29,151 vs 29,634).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 7940H better than Core i9-7980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 7940H is ahead with a 45.2% 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 1.7% better PassMark. Core i9-7980XE also has the bigger cache pool with 54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 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 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 54.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 7940H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 9 7940H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 45.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7980XE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 9 7940H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7980XE vs Ryzen 9 7940H 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 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

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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 110.1% 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 — 100% 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+110%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
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