Intel Core i9-10980XE vs AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-10980XE and AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 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.

 

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
  • Around 13% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
  • 2.3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
  • Around 12% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 15885 vs 14150
Specifications (specs)
Number of cores 18 vs 16
Number of threads 36 vs 32
L1 cache 1152 KB vs 1 MB
L2 cache 18 MB vs 8 MB
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 15885 vs 14150
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 10844 vs 10804

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

  • Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
  • Around 2% higher clock speed: 4.7 GHz vs 4.60 GHz
  • A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 7 nm vs 14 nm
  • 2.6x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
  • Around 57% lower typical power consumption: 105 Watt vs 165 Watt
  • Around 2% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2705 vs 2651
  • Around 18% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 38809 vs 32850
  • Around 10% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1296 vs 1173
Specifications (specs)
Unlocked Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency 4.7 GHz vs 4.60 GHz
Manufacturing process technology 7 nm vs 14 nm
L3 cache 64 MB vs 24.75 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 105 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark 2705 vs 2651
PassMark - CPU mark 38809 vs 32850
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 1296 vs 1173

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-10980XE
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

PassMark - Single thread mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
2651
2705
PassMark - CPU mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
32850
38809
Geekbench 4 - Single Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
1173
1296
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
15885
14150
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score
CPU 1
CPU 2
10844
10804
Name Intel Core i9-10980XE AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
PassMark - Single thread mark 2651 2705
PassMark - CPU mark 32850 38809
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 1173 1296
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 15885 14150
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 10844 10804

Compare specifications (specs)

Intel Core i9-10980XE AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Essentials

Architecture codename Cascade Lake Zen 2
Launch date Q4'19 25 Nov 2019
Launch price (MSRP) $979 $749
Place in performance rating 613 593
Processor Number i9-10980XE
Series Intel Core X-series Processors
Status Launched
Vertical segment Desktop Desktop
OPN PIB 100-100000051WOF
OPN Tray 100-000000051

Performance

Base frequency 3.00 GHz 3.5 GHz
L1 cache 1152 KB 1 MB
L2 cache 18 MB 8 MB
L3 cache 24.75 MB 64 MB
Manufacturing process technology 14 nm 7 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
Unlocked

Memory

Max memory channels 4 2
Maximum memory size 256 GB
Supported memory types DDR4-2933 DDR4-3200

Compatibility

Max number of CPUs in a configuration 1
Sockets supported FCLGA2066 AM4
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 165 Watt 105 Watt
Thermal Solution PCG 2017X

Peripherals

Max number of PCIe lanes 48 40
PCI Express revision 3.0 4.0
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

Virtualization

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)