CPU Showdown

Core i7-8086KvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X

The Core i7-8086K is a high-clocked desktop chip for gamers and everyday users who want fast single-core performance, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster built for creators and professionals who need extreme multi-core power.

Intel Core i7-8086K
6C / 12T · 95W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
64C / 128T · 350W
Intel

Core i7-8086K

Coffee Lake-S · 14 nm · 2018

8score
4.3/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
TDP
95W
Boost Clock
5.0 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

86score
3.9/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i7-8086K
8
Ryzen Threadripper 9980XWinner
86
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X leads by 975.0% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#1EPYC 9755100
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#302Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE8
#303Core i7-8086K8
#304Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G8
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i7-8086KRyzen Threadripper 9980X
Cores
Total Cores664
Threads12128
Base Clock4.0 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost Clock5.0 GHz5.4 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache1.5 MB64 MB
L3 Cache12 MB256 MB
Platform
Socket1151sTR5
MemoryDDR3DDR5
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630
Power
Base TDP95W350W
General
Process14 nm4 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins overall for anyone needing extreme multi-core performance, while the Core i7-8086K is better for single-thread-focused tasks.

Best value

The Core i7-8086K is the smarter pick for budget buyers who want strong single-core speed without spending on a workstation platform.

When the other wins

The Core i7-8086K is the right choice for a retro gaming or emulation build where high single-thread speed matters and multi-core power is wasted.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i7-8086K better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (86 vs 8 out of 100), so it leads the Core i7-8086K in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i7-8086K?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 975% faster than the Core i7-8086K overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i7-8086K or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i7-8086K is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.