Core i9-7980XEvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X
The Intel Core i9-7980XE is an older high-core-count workstation CPU for professionals with tight budgets, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a modern monster for content creators who need maximum multi-threaded muscle.
Core i9-7980XE
Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2017
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Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
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 9980X wins overall for its massive core count and speed advantage over the Core i9-7980XE.
For budget-focused buyers, the Core i9-7980XE is the smarter pick if you find it cheaply for lighter workloads.
Choose the Core i9-7980XE when you need a lower-power CPU for single-threaded tasks or a legacy motherboard.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-7980XE 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 18 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-7980XE in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i9-7980XE?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 378% faster than the Core i9-7980XE overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-7980XE or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i9-7980XE 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.