Core Ultra 9 185H vs Core i9-7980XE
Core Ultra 9 185H
Core i9-7980XE
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 Ultra 9 185H
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-7980XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-7980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-H (2023) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-7980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
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 Ultra 9 185H and Core i9-7980XE
Core Ultra 9 185H
The Core Ultra 9 185H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 29,360 points. Launch price was $640.
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.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 9 185H packs 16 cores / 22 threads, while the Core i9-7980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-7980XE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 185H versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7980XE — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 185H (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 185H uses the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i9-7980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 185H scores 29,360 against the Core i9-7980XE's 29,634 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-7980XE. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 185H vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-7980XE.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-7980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 22 | 18 / 36+13% |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+16% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz+50% | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total) | 24.75 MB (total)+3% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Meteor Lake-H (2023) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 29,360 | 29,634 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 18,030 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,700 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 17,000 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 9 185H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 9 185H versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7980XE — the Core Ultra 9 185H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-7980XE supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 9 185H) vs 4 (Core i9-7980XE). PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 9 185H) vs 44 (Core i9-7980XE) — the Core i9-7980XE offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-7980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 96 GB | 128 GB+33% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28 | 44+57% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-7980XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-7980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 9 185H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7980XE). The Core Ultra 9 185H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)), while the Core i9-7980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 9 185H targets Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads, Core i9-7980XE targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 9 185H rivals Ryzen 9 8945HS.
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 185H | Core i9-7980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores) | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mainstream Performance / AI Workloads | Workstation |
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