Intel Core i9-10980XE vs Intel Core i9-9960X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-10980XE and Intel Core i9-9960X 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

Intel Core i9-9960X

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 5% higher clock speed: 4.60 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Around 1% higher maximum core temperature: 86°C vs 85°C
Around 13% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 13% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 13% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
2x more maximum memory size: 256 GB vs 128 GB
Around 1% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2651 vs 2617
Around 7% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 32861 vs 30618
Around 1% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1173 vs 1158
Around 11% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 15885 vs 14294

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	18 vs 16
Number of threads	36 vs 32
Maximum frequency	4.60 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Maximum core temperature	86°C vs 85°C
L1 cache	1152 KB vs 64K (per core)
L2 cache	18 MB vs 1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	24.75 MB vs 22 MB (shared)
Maximum memory size	256 GB vs 128 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2651 vs 2617
PassMark - CPU mark	32861 vs 30618
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1173 vs 1158
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	15885 vs 14294

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9960X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 21% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 13076 vs 10844

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Benchmarks
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	13076 vs 10844

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-10980XE
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9960X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2651

2617

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

32861

30618

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1173

1158

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

15885

14294

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

10844

13076

Name	Intel Core i9-10980XE	Intel Core i9-9960X
PassMark - Single thread mark	2651	2617
PassMark - CPU mark	32861	30618
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1173	1158
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	15885	14294
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10844	13076

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-10980XE	Intel Core i9-9960X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Cascade Lake	Skylake
Launch date	Q4'19	October 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$979
Place in performance rating	616	620
Processor Number	i9-10980XE	i9-9960X
Series	Intel Core X-series Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status	Launched	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
Base frequency	3.00 GHz	3.10 GHz
L1 cache	1152 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	18 MB	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	24.75 MB	22 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	86°C	85°C
Maximum frequency	4.60 GHz	4.40 GHz
Number of cores	18	16
Number of threads	36	32
64 bit support
Bus Speed		8 GT/s DMI3
Number of QPI Links		0
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory size	256 GB	128 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4-2666
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	FCLGA2066	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	165 Watt	165 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2017X	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	48	44
PCI Express revision	3.0	3.0
Scalability	1S Only	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2, Intel AVX-512	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	2
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)