AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-7980XE

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Combined performance score

i9-7980XE
19.68

Ryzen 9 3950X outperforms Core i9-7980XE by 28% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking253164
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money7.6415.28
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9AMD Ryzen 9
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Release date1 September 2017 (6 years old)14 November 2019 (4 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999$799
Current price$1186 (0.6x MSRP)$1336 (1.7x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 3950X has 100% better value for money than i9-7980XE.

Technical specs

Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores18 (Octadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads3632
Base clock speed2.6 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus support4 × 8 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)96K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache24.75 MB (shared)64 MB
Chip lithography14 nm7 nm
Die size484 mm22 x 72 mm + 125 mm (IO-Die) mm2
Maximum core temperature94 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data19,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2066AM4
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-51286x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
StatusDiscontinuedno data

Security technologies

Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno data+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85 GB/s51.196 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/A-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes44no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-7980XE 19.68
Ryzen 9 3950X 25.27
+28.4%

Ryzen 9 3950X outperforms Core i9-7980XE by 28% in our combined benchmark results.


Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i9-7980XE 30228
Ryzen 9 3950X 38820
+28.4%

Ryzen 9 3950X outperforms Core i9-7980XE by 28% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-7980XE 1495
Ryzen 9 3950X 1708
+14.2%

Ryzen 9 3950X outperforms Core i9-7980XE by 14% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-7980XE 11616
+8.2%
Ryzen 9 3950X 10735

Core i9-7980XE outperforms Ryzen 9 3950X by 8% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 19.68 25.27
Recency 1 September 2017 14 November 2019
Physical cores 18 16
Threads 36 32
Cost $1999 $799
Chip lithography 14 nm 7 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 105 Watt

The Ryzen 9 3950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-7980XE in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7980XE and Ryzen 9 3950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-7980XE
Core i9-7980XE
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Ryzen 9 3950X

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