AMD Ryzen 7 2700E vs Intel Core i9-9980HK Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E and Intel Core i9-9980HK are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, yet they target entirely different platforms and design philosophies. The data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the AMD desktop part across every Cinebench iteration, while the Intel mobile chip counters with a higher boost clock and integrated graphics. The choice between them hinges not on raw compute potential, where the AMD part holds a slight edge, but on platform fit and the specific demands of a mobile versus desktop environment.

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark results, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E is the superior processor for pure multi-threaded and single-threaded compute workloads. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 5.2% to 5.4% across R15, R20, and R23 tests. The average benchmark score of 3603 for the AMD part also edges out the Intel’s 3577, placing the Ryzen 7 2700E 0.7% ahead of the Core i9-9980HK in the nearestRivals list for the Intel chip. However, the Intel Core i9-9980HK is a mobile processor, as indicated by its BGA 1440 socket and 45W TDP, meaning it is designed for laptops and compact systems where the AMD's 65W desktop TDP and AM4 socket are not viable options. The verdict is clear: if you are building a desktop and need the best Cinebench scores, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E is the pick. If you require a high-core-count processor in a mobile form factor, the Intel Core i9-9980HK is the only choice from this pair, despite its slightly lower performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E is built on the Zen (Pinnacle Ridge) architecture using a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, packing 4,800 million transistors into a 192 mm² die. The Intel Core i9-9980HK uses the Coffee Lake-HR architecture on a 14 nm process at Intel, with a smaller 149 mm² die size and no transistor count listed. Cache layouts differ significantly: the AMD part offers 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache, creating a parity point despite the per-core differences.

Clock speeds paint a contrasting picture. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i9-9980HK starts lower at 2.40 GHz but boosts significantly higher to 5.00 GHz. This suggests the Intel part is designed for short, bursty workloads where high frequency is key, while the AMD part relies on a more sustained baseline. The Intel chip also includes integrated UHD 630 graphics and supports PCIe Gen 3, whereas the AMD part has no listed integrated graphics or PCIe information. The AMD processor uses a dual-channel DDR4 memory bus with no listed bandwidth, while the Intel chip lists a specific memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Intel part is unlocked, with a multiplier available for overclocking, while the AMD part is not unlocked. Production statuses differ as well: the AMD is active, while the Intel is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E wins in every benchmark category where both were tested. In multi-core performance, it leads the Core i9-9980HK by 5.2% in Cinebench R15 (1255 vs 1193), 5.3% in R20 (5232 vs 4971), and 5.3% in R23 (12458 vs 11836). The single-core results follow the same pattern: the AMD part is 5.4% ahead in R15 (177 vs 168), 5.3% ahead in R20 (738 vs 701), and 5.2% ahead in R23 (1758 vs 1671). This consistency across all three Cinebench versions indicates that the AMD architecture delivers a uniform advantage in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded scenarios. The Intel Core i9-9980HK has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but it does offer unique features that the AMD part lacks: an integrated GPU (UHD 630) for systems without a discrete graphics card, a higher 5.00 GHz boost clock for peak single-core bursts, and a lower 45W TDP that is critical for thermal-constrained mobile designs. The Intel part also has Geekbench scores (6687 multi-core, 1389 single-core) that were not tested on the AMD side, giving it a data point in that specific benchmark.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has an average benchmark score of 3603, while the Intel Core i9-9980HK scores 3577. This places the AMD part 0.7% higher in the Intel's nearestRivals list.

Q: What is the performance difference in the largest benchmark win?

A: The largest margin for the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E occurs in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it scores 177 versus the Intel's 168, a delta of 5.4%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-9980HK have any integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-9980HK includes integrated UHD 630 graphics. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i9-9980HK has a TDP of 45W. This makes the Intel part more suitable for mobile platforms.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980HK has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E does not have multiplier unlocked status.

Q: How do the base and boost clocks compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i9-9980HK has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E, with the closest margins appearing in the single-core tests. In Cinebench R15, the AMD part scores 1255 versus the Intel's 1193 in multi-core, a 5.2% difference. The single-core R15 result is even more decisive in percentage terms: the AMD leads 177 to 168, a 5.4% delta. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20, where the AMD wins multi-core with 5232 against 4971 (5.3%) and single-core with 738 against 701 (5.3%). The R23 results mirror this exactly in percentage terms: multi-core is 12458 for AMD versus 11836 for Intel, a 5.3% delta, and single-core is 1758 versus 1671, a 5.2% delta. The consistent 5.2–5.4% margin across all tests suggests a fundamental per-clock efficiency advantage for the Zen architecture in this comparison, rather than a clock-speed-driven result. Notably, the Intel chip's higher 5.00 GHz boost clock does not translate into a single-core win, as the AMD part's 4.00 GHz boost still outperforms it in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The Intel Core i9-9980HK does have Geekbench scores (6687 multi-core and 1389 single-core), but these were not part of the head-to-head test suite, so no direct comparison is available for that benchmark. The data indicates that for Cinebench workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E is consistently 5% faster, regardless of thread count, making it the definitive winner in this specific test suite.