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Intel Core i9-9980XE vs AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

Intel
VS
AMD
Performance
Core i9-9980XE2% better
19,23752% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 3900X
18,93251% of 36,991

The Core i9-9980XE has 2% better performance than the Ryzen 9 3900X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i9-9980XE
9.728% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 3900X290% better
37.9431% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3900X has 290% better value for the money than the Core i9-9980XE for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

#

About the Intel Core i9-9980XE CPU

The Intel Core i9-9980XE is an end-of-life 18-core (36-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2018 with a suggested retail price of $1,979. It is part of Intel's Core i9 Extreme lineup, which is based on the X-Series 9th Gen microarchitecture. The i9-9980XE is compatible with Intel Socket 2066 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Core i9-9980XE supports DDR4 memory and features a quad-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 4 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i9-9980XE has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 24.75 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i9-9980XE features 18 total cores which can process 36 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.5 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i9-9980XE does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i9-9980XE has the 77th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 52.00% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 19,237 score and $1,979 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 9.72. This is the 194th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2019 with a suggested retail price of $499. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3900X is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3900X supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 3900X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 64 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 9 3900X features 12 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.8 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.6 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 9 3900X does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 3900X has the 80th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 51.18% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 18,932 score and $499 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 37.94. This is the 86th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i9 ExtremeRyzen 9
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2018Q3 2019
Launch Price (MSRP)$1,979$499
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i9-9980XE2% better
19,23752% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 3900X
18,93251% of 36,991

The Core i9-9980XE has 2% better performance than the Ryzen 9 3900X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i9-9980XE is ranked 77th with a score of 19,237, and the Ryzen 9 3900X is ranked 80th with a score of 18,932.

Performance per dollar
Core i9-9980XE
9.728% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 3900X290% better
37.9431% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3900X has 290% better value for the money than the Core i9-9980XE for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i9-9980XE is ranked 194th with a performance per dollar of 9.72, and the Ryzen 9 3900X is ranked 86th with a performance per dollar of 37.94.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i9-9980XE or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i9-10980XE20,452+6%
Ryzen 7 5700X20,010+4%
Ryzen 5 5600X19,649+2%
Core i5-12400F19,436+1%
Core i9-9980XE19,237
Ryzen 9 3900X18,932-2%
Ryzen 7 3800XT18,905-2%
Core i9-9900KS18,694-3%
Ryzen 7 3700X18,283.5-5%
Core i7-1170018,083-6%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i9-9980XE or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 9 5900X38.33+294%
Core i7-9700K38.07+292%
Ryzen 9 3900X37.94+290%
Core i9-9900KS36.44+275%
Core i9-9900K35.38+264%
Ryzen Threadripper 1950X17.85+84%
Core i9-7900X15.28+57%
Core i9-9980XE9.72
Core i9-9900T9.65-1%
Core i7-6950X9.52-2%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
19,237
(+1.61%)
18,932
3DMark Time Spy CPU
10,963
11,923
(+8.76%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
3,735.5
(+22.52%)
3,049
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
197.5
207
(+4.81%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
11,359
(+14.05%)
9,960
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,430
1,711
(+19.65%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
31,988
32,647
(+2.06%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,564
2,706
(+5.54%)
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelTSMC
Process Size14 nm7 nm
Transistors--7,600 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
SeriesCore i9 ExtremeRyzen 9
MicroarchitectureX-Series 9th GenZen 2
CodenameSkylake-XMatisse
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4
Memory ChannelsQuad-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
Cores1812
Threads3624
Clock Speed3.0 GHz3.8 GHz
Turbo Clock4.5 GHz4.6 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier30.0x38.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache24.75 MB64 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
SocketIntel Socket 2066AMD Socket AM4
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x44PCIe 4.0 x24
Thermal Design Power (TDP)165 W105 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)--142 W
Tcase Max--95 °C
TJ Max84 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i9-9980XERyzen 9 3900X
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 2.0, Boost 3.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.