19score
#92 of 555
Overall rank

Core i9-10980XE

18 cores · 36 threads · up to 4.8 GHz on FCLGA2066.

3.7 · 88 votes

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Cores
18
Threads
36
Boost
4.8 GHz
L3 cache
24.75 MB
TDP
165W
Socket
FCLGA2066

Performance breakdown

Gaming19
Productivity20
Single-core20
Multi-core75
Power efficiency16

Lab scores

Performance score19
Cores18
Threads36
Boost clock (GHz)4.8 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p42 fps
1440p33 fps
4K23 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores
Architecture
Cascade Lake-X
Process node
14 nm
Socket
FCLGA2066
Release year
2019
Total cores
18
Threads
36
Integrated graphics
None
Clocks & cache
Base clock
3.0 GHz
Boost clock
4.8 GHz
L1 cache
1152 KB
L2 cache
18 MB
L3 cache
24.75 MB
Memory & platform
Memory support
DDR4
Max capacity
256 GB
Channels
4
Max bandwidth
94 GB/s
Base power (TDP)
165W
Max temperature
86°C
PCIe
PCIe 3.0
Launch price
$979
Technologies
Instruction sets
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512
Extensions
AES-NI, AVX, AMD-V, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TXT, TSX
Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love the raw multi-threaded grunt for heavy workstation tasks. The common gripe is its massive heat output and need for serious cooling.

Pros
  • Gets heavy work done fast
  • Handles big multitasking easily
  • Runs hot but stays stable
  • Good for pro content creation
Cons
  • Price is far too high for performance
  • Runs hot under sustained heavy loads
  • Motherboard platform is now obsolete
Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-10980XE

Intel's top-end 2019 HEDT chip with many cores and threads, but its high power draw and dated platform limit its appeal.

Get it if you need heaps of PCIe lanes for multiple GPUs or heavy workstation expansion without switching to a pro platform. Skip it if you’re gaming or want something modern, because newer CPUs cost less and leave this in the dust.

Buy it if…

  • You run heavy multicore workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering.
  • You need tons of PCIe lanes for multiple GPUs or storage cards.
  • You want the most cores available for an older LGA2066 motherboard.
3.7

88 votes

Rate this CPU

Add your verdict