Intel Core i9-10980XE vs AMD Ryzen 5 2500X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-10980XE and AMD Ryzen 5 2500X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

Intel Core i9-10980XE

AMD Ryzen 5 2500X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-10980XE

14 more cores, run more applications at once: 18 vs 4
28 more threads: 36 vs 8
Around 15% higher clock speed: 4.60 GHz vs 4 GHz
3x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
9x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
3.1x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 14% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2651 vs 2323
3.5x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 32861 vs 9482
Around 19% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1173 vs 987
4.2x better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 15885 vs 3765

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	18 vs 4
Number of threads	36 vs 8
Maximum frequency	4.60 GHz vs 4 GHz
L1 cache	1152 KB vs 384 KB
L2 cache	18 MB vs 2 MB
L3 cache	24.75 MB vs 8 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2651 vs 2323
PassMark - CPU mark	32861 vs 9482
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1173 vs 987
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	15885 vs 3765

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 10% higher maximum core temperature: 95°C vs 86°C
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 12 nm vs 14 nm
2.5x lower typical power consumption: 65 Watt vs 165 Watt

Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum core temperature	95°C vs 86°C
Manufacturing process technology	12 nm vs 14 nm
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65 Watt vs 165 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-10980XE
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 5 2500X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2651

2323

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

32861

9482

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1173

987

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

15885

3765

Name	Intel Core i9-10980XE	AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
PassMark - Single thread mark	2651	2323
PassMark - CPU mark	32861	9482
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1173	987
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	15885	3765
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10844

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-10980XE	AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Cascade Lake	Zen
Launch date	Q4'19	10 September 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$979
Place in performance rating	616	1274
Processor Number	i9-10980XE
Series	Intel Core X-series Processors	AMD Ryzen 5 Desktop Processors
Status	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Family		AMD Ryzen Processors
OPN Tray		YD250XBBM4KAF
OS Support		Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit
Performance
Base frequency	3.00 GHz	3.6 GHz
L1 cache	1152 KB	384 KB
L2 cache	18 MB	2 MB
L3 cache	24.75 MB	8 MB
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	12 nm
Maximum core temperature	86°C	95°C
Maximum frequency	4.60 GHz	4 GHz
Number of cores	18	4
Number of threads	36	8
64 bit support
Die size		192 mm
Transistor count		4800 million
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory size	256 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4
Supported memory frequency		2933 MHz
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	FCLGA2066	AM4
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	165 Watt	65 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2017X	Not included
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	48
PCI Express revision	3.0	3.0
Scalability	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2, Intel AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units	2
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)