CPU
GPU
Core i9-7980XE
Xeon Gold 5318H
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 Xeon Gold 5318H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 5318H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower 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 (Cooper Lake-SP (2021) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 5318H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Xeon Gold 5318H
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.
Xeon Gold 5318H
The Xeon Gold 5318H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 RDIMM. Passmark benchmark score: 29,301 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Core i9-7980XE and Xeon Gold 5318H share an identical 18-core/36-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5318H — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-7980XE (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5318H uses Cooper Lake-SP (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Xeon Gold 5318H's 29,301 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. Both processors carry 24.75 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 5318H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36 | 18 / 36 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+16% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+4% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB (total) | 24.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Cooper Lake-SP (2021) |
| PassMark | 29,634+1% | 29,301 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 18,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,063 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 15,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5318H uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 5318H supports up to 1152 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 160% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5318H). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5318H) — the Xeon Gold 5318H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 5318H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | LGA4189 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1152 GB+800% |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 6+50% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 44 | 48+9% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-7980XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7980XE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 5318H). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Xeon Gold 5318H targets Cloud Infrastructure / Virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5318H rivals EPYC 7352.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 5318H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | Cloud Infrastructure / Virtualization |
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