Intel Core i9-10980XE vs Intel Core i7-6950X

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-10980XE or Intel Core i9-10980XE – 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 i9-10980XE features 18 processor cores and has the capability to manage 36 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2019 and belongs to the 10 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-10980XE, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The Intel Core i7-6950X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2016 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6950X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-10980XE Name Intel Core i7-6950X
Intel Core i9 Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
10 Generation 6
Intel Core i 10000X Group Intel Core i 6000X
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-10980XE has 18 CPU cores and can calculate 36 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-10980XE is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.8 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-6950X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6950X is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
4.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.5 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.0 GHz
36 Threads 20
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
18 CPU Cores 10
18x Cores 10x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-10980XE does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6950X does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

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.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 256.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 93.8 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 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 4
256.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
93.8 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
DDR4-2933 Memory type DDR4-2400
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 165 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 140 W watts.
86 °C Tjunction max --
165 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-10980XE is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 24.8 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-6950X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 25.0 MB cache.
Q4/2019 Release date Q2/2016
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Cascade Lake Architecture Broadwell E
14 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2066 Socket LGA 2011-3
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
979 $ Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
24.8 MB L3-Cache 25.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
33095
33095
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
17377
17377

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
24309
24309
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
12713
12713

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
15841
15841
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
8993
8993

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
11836
11836
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
7421
7421

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
9733
9733
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
5950
5950

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
3800
3800
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1819
1819

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
1573
1573
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1237
1237

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
1191
1191
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1091
1091

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
1174
1174
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
974
974

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10980XE
18C 36T @ 3.0 GHz
211
211
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
152
152