Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 vs Core i9-10980XE
Ryzen AI Max PRO 385
Core i9-10980XE
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 Ryzen AI Max PRO 385
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10980XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($620) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Strix Halo (2025) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-X (2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($620) |
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 Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 and Core i9-10980XE
Ryzen AI Max PRO 385
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Halo (2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP11. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,508 points. Launch price was $499.
Core i9-10980XE
The Core i9-10980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: 32,187 points. Launch price was $979.
Processing Power
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses the Strix Halo (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Core i9-10980XE uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 scores 31,508 against the Core i9-10980XE's 32,187 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i9-10980XE. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 16,500 vs 24,309 (38.3% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,886 vs 1,242, a 79.7% lead for the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,136 vs 16,275 (14.1% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 18 / 36+125% |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+4% | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+20% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+29% | 24.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-71% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Strix Halo (2025) | Cascade Lake-X (2019) |
| PassMark | 31,508 | 32,187+2% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 16,500 | 24,309+47% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,886+132% | 1,242 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 14,136 | 16,275+15% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 uses the FP11 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-8000 on the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE — the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10980XE supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385) vs 4 (Core i9-10980XE). PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385) vs 48 (Core i9-10980XE) — the Core i9-10980XE offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Strix Halo platform (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385) and X299 (Core i9-10980XE).
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP11 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5x-8000+25% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 8+100% | 4 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 48+140% |
Advanced Features
Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen AI Max PRO 385) vs Yes (Core i9-10980XE). The Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 8050S), while the Core i9-10980XE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 targets Enterprise AI Mobile. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 rivals M3 Max.
| Feature | Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 8050S | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | Yes |
| Target Use | Enterprise AI Mobile | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 and Core i9-10980XE
