CPU
GPU
Xeon Gold 5318H
Core i9-9980XE
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 Xeon Gold 5318H
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9980XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5318H | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($593) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cooper Lake-SP (2021) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 5318H | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($593) |
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 Xeon Gold 5318H and Core i9-9980XE
Xeon Gold 5318H
The Xeon Gold 5318H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 RDIMM. Passmark benchmark score: 29,301 points. Launch price was $800.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon Gold 5318H and Core i9-9980XE share an identical 18-core/36-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5318H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-9980XE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Gold 5318H uses the Cooper Lake-SP (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-9980XE uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 5318H scores 29,301 against the Core i9-9980XE's 29,127 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 5318H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,000 vs 22,000 (20% advantage for the Core i9-9980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,063 vs 1,459, a 31.4% lead for the Core i9-9980XE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,000 vs 12,177 (20.8% advantage for the Xeon Gold 5318H). Both processors carry 24.75 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5318H | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 18 / 36 | 18 / 36 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.5 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB (total) | 24.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Cooper Lake-SP (2021) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 29,301 | 29,127 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 18,000 | 22,000+22% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,063 | 1,459+37% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,000+23% | 12,177 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 5318H uses the LGA4189 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-9980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2667 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 5318H supports up to 1152 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 160% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Gold 5318H) vs 4 (Core i9-9980XE). PCIe lanes: 48 (Xeon Gold 5318H) vs 44 (Core i9-9980XE) — the Xeon Gold 5318H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C620 Series (Xeon Gold 5318H) and X299 (Core i9-9980XE).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5318H | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2667 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1152 GB+800% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 6+50% | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48+9% | 44 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-9980XE 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, EPT (Xeon Gold 5318H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9980XE). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5318H targets Cloud Infrastructure / Virtualization, Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 5318H rivals EPYC 7352; Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 5318H | Core i9-9980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Cloud Infrastructure / Virtualization | HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation |
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