Intel Core i7-980X vs AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-980X or Intel Core i7-980X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-980X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-980X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2020 and belongs to the 3 generation of the AMD Ryzen 7 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i7 900 Group AMD Ryzen 3000
1 Generation 3
Intel Core i7-980X Name AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD Ryzen 7
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-980X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-980X is 3.33 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is 4.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.7 GHz.
None None 4.5 GHz
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.7 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
3.33 GHz Frequency 4.2 GHz
6 CPU Cores 8
Yes Overclocking Yes
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6x Cores 8x
12 Threads 16
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-980X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Release date --
GPU name
-- Shaders --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- VP9 --
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- h264 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 24.0 GB distributed across 3 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
DDR3-1066 Memory type DDR4-3200
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
No AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
pci PCIe pci
24.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
3 Memory channels 2
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 105 W watts.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 105 W
-- Tjunction max 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-980X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 32.0 MB cache.
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
32 nm Technology 7 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
-- Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
Q1/2010 Release date Q2/2020
1059 $ Release price --
1.5 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
12.0 MB L3-Cache 32.0 MB
LGA 1366 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Gulftown Architecture Matisse (Zen 2)
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
8C 16T @ 4.2 GHz
23728
23728
Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
6897
6897

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
8C 16T @ 4.2 GHz
9612
9612
Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
3391
3391

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
8C 16T @ 4.2 GHz
8246
8246
Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2847
2847

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
8C 16T @ 4.2 GHz
5676
5676
Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
2354
2354

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
8C 16T @ 4.2 GHz
1769
1769
Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
645
645

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
8C 16T @ 4.2 GHz
1414
1414
Intel Core i7-980X
6C 12T @ 3.33 GHz
614
614