Core i9-9990XE vs Ryzen 9 8945H

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9990XE

14 Cores28 Thrd255 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2019

Similar parts

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Ryzen 9 8945H

8 Cores16 Thrd8 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2023

Ryzen family

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Core i9-9990XE vs Ryzen 9 8945H Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9990XE

14 / 28

30,162

0.0%

30,240

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

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 i9-9990XE vs Ryzen 9 8945H 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 i9-9990XE vs Ryzen 9 8945H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9990XE

2019

Why buy it

✅+27.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).
✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,392 vs 2,617).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,000 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 8945H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3087.5% higher power demand at 255W vs 8W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 8945H moves to FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 8945H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 8945H

2023

Why buy it

✅+88% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 8W instead of 255W, a 247W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP7r2/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Core i9-9990XE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (12,662 vs 16,199).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 19 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 8945H better than Core i9-9990XE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 8945H is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9990XE pulls ahead with 27.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i9-9990XE also has the bigger cache pool with 20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9990XE is the stronger fit. You are getting 27.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 8945H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-9990XE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 8945H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,000 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-9990XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 27.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i9-9990XE is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 8945H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9990XE vs Ryzen 9 8945H Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9990XE

The Core i9-9990XE 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 255 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,162 points. Launch price was $2,800.

Ryzen 9 8945H

The Ryzen 9 8945H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,240 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9990XE packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8945H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9990XE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-9990XE versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8945H — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H (base: 4 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i9-9990XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9990XE scores 30,162 against the Ryzen 9 8945H's 30,240 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,392 vs 2,617, a 61.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,199 vs 12,662 (24.5% advantage for the Core i9-9990XE). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9990XE vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 9 8945H.

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	Ryzen 9 8945H
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz	5.2 GHz+2%
Base Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)+20%	16 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	8 MB+700%
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark	30,162	30,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	17,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,392	2,617+88%
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,199+28%	12,662

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9990XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9990XE versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 8945H — the Ryzen 9 8945H supports 110.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 8945H supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 8945H). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 20 (Ryzen 9 8945H) — the Core i9-9990XE offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9990XE) and FP7,FP7r2,FP8 (Ryzen 9 8945H).

Feature	Core i9-9990XE	Ryzen 9 8945H
Socket	LGA2066	FP7/FP7r2/FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5600+110%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	44+120%	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 8945H). The Ryzen 9 8945H includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core i9-9990XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-9990XE targets HEDT, Ryzen 9 8945H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i9-9990XE rivals Threadripper 2970WX; Ryzen 9 8945H rivals Core i9-13900H.