Core i9-10980XEvsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Intel Core i9-10980XE is a last-gen 18-core workstation CPU for professionals who need a proven, lower-power platform, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a modern 32-core monster built for heavy multi-threaded workloads.
Core i9-10980XE
Cascade Lake-X · 14 nm · 2019
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Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025
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Overall Performance Score
A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.
Side-by-Side Specs
Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.
Which should you buy?
The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins overall with far more cores, faster boost, and larger cache, making it the clear choice for demanding workloads.
For budget/value buyers, the older Core i9-10980XE is the smarter pick if you can find it cheap, offering solid multi-threading at a lower cost.
The Core i9-10980XE is the right choice for a workstation upgrade on a tight budget where the Threadripper's platform cost is prohibitive.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-10980XE better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (64 vs 19 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-10980XE in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Core i9-10980XE?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 237% faster than the Core i9-10980XE overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-10980XE or the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. If the Core i9-10980XE 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.