Core i9-9980XEvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X
The Intel Core i9-9980XE is a last-gen 18-core workstation CPU for professionals with older X299-platform gear, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a modern 32-core beast for anyone building a new high-end workstation today.
Core i9-9980XE
Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2018
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Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023
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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 7970X wins overall with its much faster multicore performance and modern architecture, leaving the older Core i9-9980XE far behind.
For budget or value buyers, the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the smarter pick, offering far more cores and speed for the money.
The Core i9-9980XE is the right choice if you need a compatible upgrade for an existing X299 platform without replacing your motherboard.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-9980XE better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (60 vs 19 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-9980XE in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i9-9980XE?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 216% faster than the Core i9-9980XE overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-9980XE or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i9-9980XE 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.