Core i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9980XE

18 / 36

29,127

+64.7%

17,685

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.7 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($1,979 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,780 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 503.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i9-9980XE.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9980XE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 22,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9980XE better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Core i9-9980XE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 131.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 64.7% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9980XE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 i9-9980XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 131.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Core i9-9980XE is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9980XE comes in 894.5% more expensive on MSRP at $1,979 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 503.8% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 14.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9980XE

The Core i9-9980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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. Passmark benchmark score: 29,127 points. Launch price was $1,979.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9980XE has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-9980XE (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-9980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9980XE scores 29,127 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 48.9% lead for the Core i9-9980XE. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 22,000 vs 9,500 (79.4% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,459 vs 1,295, a 11.9% lead for the Core i9-9980XE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,177 vs 1,898 (146.1% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980XE vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+200%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+7%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	29,127+65%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	22,000+132%	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459+13%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,177+542%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9980XE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Core i9-9980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9980XE) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9980XE) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9980XE was priced at $1979, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($1979 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $1780 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9980XE delivers 14.7 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 143.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$1979	$199-90%
Performance per Dollar	14.7	88.9+505%
Release Date	2018	2019

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