Core i9-9980HK vs Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

Intel

Core i9-9980HK

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 5 GHz2019
VS
AMD

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

8 Cores16 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2022

Core i9-9980HK vs Ryzen Embedded V3C18I Performance Spectrum

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 i9-9980HK vs Ryzen Embedded V3C18I 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 i9-9980HK vs Ryzen Embedded V3C18I: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-9980HK

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +31.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • 200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Ryzen Embedded V3C18I moves to FP7 and DDR5.

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP7 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9980HK across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,856 vs 13,966).
  • Launch MSRP is still $500 MSRP, while Core i9-9980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9980HK better than Ryzen Embedded V3C18I?
Yes. Core i9-9980HK is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 31.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9980HK is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 31.4% 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, Core i9-9980HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-9980HK is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-9980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Embedded V3C18I only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 31.4% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen Embedded V3C18I makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FP7 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9980HK vs Ryzen Embedded V3C18I Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i9-9980HK

The Core i9-9980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,966 points. Launch price was $583.

AMD

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

The Ryzen Embedded V3C18I is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Rembrandt (2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,856 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-9980HK and Ryzen Embedded V3C18I share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9980HK versus 3.8 GHz on the Ryzen Embedded V3C18I — a 27.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-9980HK (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i9-9980HK uses the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Embedded V3C18I uses Rembrandt (2022) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9980HK scores 13,966 against the Ryzen Embedded V3C18I's 13,856 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-9980HK. Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i9-9980HKRyzen Embedded V3C18I
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5 GHz+32%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+26%
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
6 nm-57%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
Rembrandt (2022)
PassMark
13,966
13,856
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9980HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Embedded V3C18I uses FP7 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-9980HKRyzen Embedded V3C18I
Socket
BGA1440
FP7
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%