Core i9-7980XE vs Xeon Gold 6248
Core i9-7980XE
Xeon Gold 6248
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 6248
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 6248 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 6248 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 6248
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 6248
The Xeon Gold 6248 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 29,535 points. Launch price was $3,072.
Processing Power
The Core i9-7980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6248 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6248 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6248 — a 12% 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 6248 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7980XE scores 29,634 against the Xeon Gold 6248's 29,535 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6248.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 6248 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36 | 20 / 40+11% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+13% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+4% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB (total) | 27.5 MB+11% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 20 MB+1900% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 29,634 | 29,535 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 19,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,327 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 15,277 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-7980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6248 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6248 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6248). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7980XE) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6248) — the Xeon Gold 6248 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 6248 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1024 GB+700% |
| 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 6248). Primary use case: Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation, Xeon Gold 6248 targets General Purpose Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6248 rivals EPYC 7352.
| Feature | Core i9-7980XE | Xeon Gold 6248 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | General Purpose Enterprise Server |
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