Pentium B980 vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Pentium B980

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium B980

2 / 2

1,101

0.0%

38,955

+3438.1%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Pentium B980 is positioned at rank #1110 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium B980

#1098

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3330%

#1099

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3281%

#1100

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3012%

#1101

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2999%

#1102

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2971%

#1104

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2869%

#1105

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2751%

#1106

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2747%

#1107

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2673%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

100%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

99%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

98%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

98%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1117

Pentium 977

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

97%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

97%

#1119

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

96%

#1121

Core i5-560M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

96%

#1122

Pentium U5600

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

95%

#1124

Core m5-6Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1125

Core i7-610E

MSRP: $250|Avg: $40

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X

#141

Core i9-13900K

MSRP: $599|Avg: $500

105%

#142

Core i3-14100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $131

104%

#143

Ryzen 5 3400G

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

103%

#144

Core i7-10700KF

MSRP: $405|Avg: $160

103%

#145

Core i5-11600K

MSRP: $262|Avg: $170

103%

#146

Core i7-13700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $400

103%

#147

Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

102%

#148

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $150

102%

#149

Core i9-12900KS

MSRP: $739|Avg: $385

102%

#150

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

MSRP: $185|Avg: $180

101%

#151

Core Ultra 7 265T

MSRP: $384|Avg: $362

101%

#152

Ryzen 3 3200GE

MSRP: $85|Avg: $64

101%

#153

Core i3-9100T

MSRP: $122|Avg: $50

101%

#154

Ryzen 5 4600G

MSRP: $154|Avg: $143

100%

#155

Core i7-13700T

MSRP: $384|Avg: $250

100%

#156

Ryzen 9 5900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $350

100%

#157

Core i7-13700F

MSRP: $359|Avg: $345

100%

#158

Core i5-13600T

MSRP: $255|Avg: $255

99%

#159

Ryzen 5 3400GE

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

99%

#160

Core i7-12700F

MSRP: $314|Avg: $275

99%

#161

Core i5-9400

MSRP: $192|Avg: $85

99%

#162

Core i3-13100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $128

99%

#163

Core i9-10910

MSRP: $488|Avg: $200

96%

#164

Core i5-14600T

MSRP: $255|Avg: $255

96%

#165

Core i5-11500T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $120

95%

#166

Ryzen 7 5700X3D

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

95%

#167

Ryzen 3 8300GE

MSRP: $129|Avg: $129

95%

#168

Core i3-13100T

MSRP: $134|Avg: $122

94%

#169

Core i5-10600T

MSRP: $213|Avg: $110

94%

#170

Ryzen 3 3200G

MSRP: $100|Avg: $67

94%

#171

Core Ultra 9 285

MSRP: $589|Avg: $550

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen 9 5900X (2020) utilizes 7 nm, 12 nm technology and DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium B980	Ryzen 9 5900X
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($35)	⚠️ Higher cost ($350)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium B980 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium B980	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+254%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($35)	⚠️ Higher cost ($350)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Pentium B980 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 5900X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium B980 and Ryzen 9 5900X

Pentium B980

The Pentium B980 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,101 points. Launch price was $125.

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 Pentium B980 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Pentium B980 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Pentium B980 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B980 scores 1,101 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 189% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B980 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Pentium B980	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	12 / 24+500%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+100%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	64 MB+3100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	1,101	38,955+3438%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium B980 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium B980	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	PGA988	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium B980) / AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Pentium B980	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium B980 launched at $125 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900X debuted at $549. At current prices ($35 vs $350), the Pentium B980 is $315 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium B980 delivers 31.5 pts/$ vs 111.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 111.9% better value option.