Xeon w5-2445 vs Core i9-10980XE
Xeon w5-2445
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 w5-2445
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10980XE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon w5-2445 | 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 (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake-X (2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon w5-2445 | 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 w5-2445 and Core i9-10980XE
Xeon w5-2445
The Xeon w5-2445 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 26.25 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 32,213 points. Launch price was $839.
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 w5-2445 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-10980XE offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Core i9-10980XE has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-2445 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10980XE — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10980XE (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon w5-2445 uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10980XE uses Cascade Lake-X (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon w5-2445 scores 32,213 against the Core i9-10980XE's 32,187 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon w5-2445. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,500 vs 24,309 (44.3% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,822 vs 1,242, a 37.9% lead for the Xeon w5-2445 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,719 vs 16,275 (41.2% advantage for the Core i9-10980XE). L3 cache: 26.25 MB on the Xeon w5-2445 vs 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-10980XE.
| Feature | Xeon w5-2445 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 18 / 36+80% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz | 4.8 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+3% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 26.25 MB+6% | 24.75 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) | Cascade Lake-X (2019) |
| PassMark | 32,213 | 32,187 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 15,500 | 24,309+57% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,822+47% | 1,242 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,719 | 16,275+52% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon w5-2445 uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10980XE uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Xeon w5-2445 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10980XE — the Xeon w5-2445 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w5-2445 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 64 (Xeon w5-2445) vs 48 (Core i9-10980XE) — the Xeon w5-2445 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: W790 (Xeon w5-2445) and X299 (Core i9-10980XE).
| Feature | Xeon w5-2445 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2048 GB+700% | 256 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 64+33% | 48 |
Advanced Features
Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon w5-2445) vs Yes (Core i9-10980XE). Primary use case: Xeon w5-2445 targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon w5-2445 rivals Threadripper 7945WX.
| Feature | Xeon w5-2445 | Core i9-10980XE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Professional Workstation | — |
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