Intel Core i9-10980XE vs AMD Ryzen 9 3800X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-10980XE and AMD Ryzen 9 3800X 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 9 3800X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-10980XE

2 more cores, run more applications at once: 18 vs 16
4 more threads: 36 vs 32
2.3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
811008x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 41% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 32444 vs 23078

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	18 vs 16
Number of threads	36 vs 32
L2 cache	18 MB vs 512K (per core)
L3 cache	24.75 MB vs 32MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	32444 vs 23078

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 9 3800X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 2% higher clock speed: 4.7 GHz vs 4.60 GHz
Around 33% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 32% lower typical power consumption: 125 Watt vs 165 Watt
Around 2% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2715 vs 2655

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency	4.7 GHz vs 4.60 GHz
L1 cache	96K (per core) vs 1152 KB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	125 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2715 vs 2655

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-10980XE
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 9 3800X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2655

2715

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

32444

23078

Name	Intel Core i9-10980XE	AMD Ryzen 9 3800X
PassMark - Single thread mark	2655	2715
PassMark - CPU mark	32444	23078
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1173
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	15885
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10599

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-10980XE	AMD Ryzen 9 3800X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Cascade Lake	Zen 2
Launch date	Q4'19	December 2019
Launch price (MSRP)	$979
Place in performance rating	599	673
Processor Number	i9-10980XE
Series	Intel Core X-series Processors
Status	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
Base frequency	3.00 GHz	3.9 GHz
L1 cache	1152 KB	96K (per core)
L2 cache	18 MB	512K (per core)
L3 cache	24.75 MB	32MB
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	86°C
Maximum frequency	4.60 GHz	4.7 GHz
Number of cores	18	16
Number of threads	36	32
64 bit support
Front-side bus (FSB)		7 nm
Transistor count		19,200 million
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	4
Maximum memory size	256 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1
Sockets supported	FCLGA2066	AM4
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	48
PCI Express revision	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
Fused Multiply-Add 3 (FMA3)
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2)
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)