Intel Core i9-10980XE vs Intel Core i9-9980XE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i9-9980XE and the Intel Core i9-10980XE is decisively one-sided. Across the eight recorded tests in the database, the Core i9-10980XE wins every single contest. The data shows no victories for the older Core i9-9980XE. This is not a matter of narrow margins in a few workloads; the newer part consistently posts higher scores in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.

The closest contests appear in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-10980XE scores 2734 against the i9-9980XE's 2699, a delta of -1.3 percent. The single-core R15 result is similarly tight: 385 versus 380, again a -1.3 percent gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i9-10980XE delivers 11394 multi-core points compared to 11247 for the i9-9980XE, while single-core shows 1608 against 1587. The delta remains a consistent -1.3 percent across all these Cinebench runs. In Cinebench R23, the i9-10980XE reaches 27130 multi-core and 3830 single-core, while the i9-9980XE manages 26780 and 3780 respectively. Every Cinebench result, regardless of version or thread count, lands at the same -1.3 percent difference.

The Geekbench results tell a more dramatic story. In Geekbench multi-core, the i9-10980XE scores 14742, a substantial leap over the i9-9980XE's 11270. This translates to a -23.6 percent delta, meaning the newer processor is nearly a quarter faster in this particular workload. The Geekbench single-core test is far closer: 1453 for the i9-10980XE versus 1437 for the i9-9980XE, a -1.1 percent gap. This single anomaly aside, the overall picture is one of modest but uniform improvement in Cinebench, punctuated by a massive advantage in Geekbench multi-core.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The i9-9980XE sits at an average of 7398, while the i9-10980XE averages 7910. The newer part's percentile ranking among all CPUs is 64, compared to 63 for the older model. For context, the i9-9980XE's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD EPYC 7282 with an average score of 7409 (delta -0.1 percent) and the Intel Core i9-9990XE at 7415 (delta -0.2 percent). The i9-10980XE, by contrast, sits near the AMD EPYC 7551P at 7952 (delta -0.5 percent) and the Intel Core i7-13700E at 7957 (delta -0.6 percent). The data places the i9-10980XE in a slightly higher performance tier, even if the raw percentage differences against its own rivals are small.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE wins with a score of 27130, compared to 26780 for the Intel Core i9-9980XE, a -1.3 percent difference.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multi-core, where the i9-10980XE scores 14742 versus 11270 for the i9-9980XE, a -23.6 percent advantage.

Q: Are the single-core scores close between these two processors?

A: Yes, they are very close. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i9-10980XE scores 385 and the i9-9980XE scores 380. In Geekbench single-core, the difference is 1453 versus 1437, a -1.1 percent gap.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE wins all eight recorded benchmarks. The Intel Core i9-9980XE has zero wins.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980XE has an average score of 7398, while the Intel Core i9-10980XE averages 7910.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE ranks in the 64th percentile, while the Intel Core i9-9980XE ranks in the 63rd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is straightforward based on the recorded data. The Intel Core i9-10980XE wins every single benchmark in the comparison. There is no workload category in the database where the i9-9980XE comes out ahead. For users looking at Cinebench rendering workloads, the i9-10980XE offers a small but consistent edge across R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core. The -1.3 percent delta in every Cinebench test indicates a uniform clock-for-clock improvement rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The most compelling reason to choose the i9-10980XE is the Geekbench multi-core result. A -23.6 percent advantage is substantial and suggests that applications leveraging the type of parallelism measured by Geekbench will see a meaningful uplift. This is the standout win for the newer part. The Geekbench single-core test, however, shows only a -1.1 percent gap, meaning day-to-day lightly threaded tasks will feel nearly identical between the two.

For the i9-9980XE, the case is less about winning and more about proximity. In single-core workloads, it trails by roughly one percent, which is within noise for most real-world applications. In Cinebench multi-core, it is also within 1.3 percent. If a workload relies heavily on the specific characteristics of Cinebench, the older part is functionally equivalent. However, any workload resembling Geekbench multi-core will heavily favor the i9-10980XE.

Specification Differences

The two processors share many core specifications. Both have 18 cores and 36 threads. Both have a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a TDP of 165 watts. Both use the Intel Socket 2066. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have an unlocked multiplier. The integrated graphics field is null for both, indicating no on-die GPU.

The differences begin with the boost clock. The i9-9980XE boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the i9-10980XE boosts to 4.80 GHz. This 0.3 GHz difference is modest but helps explain the consistent single-core and multi-core improvements in Cinebench. The memory bandwidth also differs: the i9-9980XE offers 85.3 GB/s, while the i9-10980XE offers 93.9 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory and use a quad-channel bus.

The PCIe configuration is another distinguishing factor. The i9-9980XE provides Gen 3 with 44 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-10980XE provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes (CPU only). This gives the newer part four additional PCIe lanes for expansion. The launch MSRP values are also different, with the i9-9980XE at $1979 and the i9-10980XE at $1076. The release dates are exactly one year apart: the i9-9980XE launched on October 18, 2018, and the i9-10980XE launched on October 18, 2019. The part numbers differ as well, with SREZ3 for the older and SRGSG for the newer.

Architecture Differences

The architectural lineage is clear from the database records. The i9-9980XE is based on the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-X codename, and belongs to the 9th Gen Core i9 Extreme series. The i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake architecture, codenamed Cascade Lake-X, and is part of the 10th Gen Core i9 Extreme series. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry.

The cache hierarchy is identical on paper. Both processors feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is only recorded for the i9-9980XE at 484 mm²; the i9-10980XE has no die size entry in the database. The transistor count is not listed for either processor.

The architectural shift from Skylake to Cascade Lake does not change the fundamental core layout, as evidenced by the identical core and thread counts. The improvements come through the higher boost clock and the increased memory bandwidth. The Cascade Lake part also gains four additional PCIe lanes, which is a feature-level upgrade rather than a core microarchitecture change. Both processors are marked as end-of-life in production status, and both target the desktop market segment. The data suggests that the i9-10980XE is a refined version of the same 18-core design, with the architecture differences manifesting in small clock and I/O improvements rather than a radical redesign.