Xeon Platinum 8168 vs Core i9-10980XE
Xeon Platinum 8168
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 Xeon Platinum 8168
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10980XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8168 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($620) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-X (2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Platinum 8168 | 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 Xeon Platinum 8168 and Core i9-10980XE
Xeon Platinum 8168
The Xeon Platinum 8168 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 32,373 points. Launch price was $5,890.
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 Xeon Platinum 8168 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Core i9-10980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8168 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8168 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE — a 25.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-10980XE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8168 uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-10980XE uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Platinum 8168 scores 32,373 against the Core i9-10980XE's 32,187 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8168. L3 cache: 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8168 vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8168 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48+33% | 18 / 36 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.8 GHz+30% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 33 MB+33% | 24.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+2300% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Cascade Lake-X (2019) |
| PassMark | 32,373 | 32,187 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 24,309 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,242 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 16,275 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Platinum 8168 uses the LGA3647 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-10980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8168 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE — the Xeon Platinum 8168 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Platinum 8168 supports up to 768 of RAM compared to 256 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 6 (Xeon Platinum 8168) vs 4 (Core i9-10980XE). Both provide 48 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C621 (Xeon Platinum 8168) and X299 (Core i9-10980XE).
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8168 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA3647 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2666+66550% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 | 256 GB+34952433% |
| RAM Channels | 6+50% | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 48 | 48 |
Advanced Features
Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8168) vs Yes (Core i9-10980XE). Direct competitor: Xeon Platinum 8168 rivals EPYC 7501.
| Feature | Xeon Platinum 8168 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon Platinum 8168 and Core i9-10980XE
