Core i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9980XE

18 Cores36 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9980XE

18 / 36

29,127

0.0%

38,955

+33.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X: 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

✅+4.8% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.7 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($1,979 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
❌57.1% higher power demand at 165W vs 105W.

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,430 less on MSRP ($549 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 382.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 165W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,000 vs 22,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core i9-9980XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 5900X is ahead with a 31.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9980XE pulls ahead with 4.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 9 5900X also has the bigger cache pool with 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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 4.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in $1,430 cheaper on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $1,979 MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-9980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 4.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 382.1% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 14.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9980XE vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-9980XE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-9980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9980XE scores 29,127 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 28.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 22,000 vs 21,000 (4.7% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,459 vs 2,174, a 39.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,177 vs 11,888 (2.4% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980XE vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+50%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.8 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	64 MB+159%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	29,127	38,955+34%
Cinebench R23 Multi	22,000+5%	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459	2,174+49%
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,177+2%	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Core i9-9980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9980XE) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
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	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

🔧

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 AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9980XE was priced at $1979, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($1979 vs $549), Ryzen 9 5900X was $1430 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9980XE delivers 14.7 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 131.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$1979	$549-72%
Performance per Dollar	14.7	71.0+383%
Release Date	2018	2020

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