Intel Core i9-9980XE vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

Processor comparisons 17-03-2021

   For example you are thinking about choosing a processor, you will be able to make a choice by looking at the Intel Core i9-9980XE vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600X tests and understand which is better for games or normal use for machine learning, streaming, rendering, programming, video editing. Here is all information from real streaming and video editing tests or several benchmarks. A thorough analysis of all the specifications, so that it can be easier to read, is presented in the form of the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in special test applications like VeraCrypt, WPrime, SuperPi, 7zip, Dolphin Emulator, Gears 5, Furmark, Blender, PCMark 10, PassMark, Prime95, Handbrake, Blender, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, MATLAB, RealBench, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), UserBenchmark, DaVinci Resolve Studio, 3DMark, GeekBench 6, 5.2, AIDA64.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Halo Infinite
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Fallout 76
Borderlands 3
Valorant
Red Dead Redemption 2
Grand Theft Auto V
Cyberpunk 2077
Last Man Standing
DOOM: Eternal
Valheim
Death Stranding
Apex Legends
Overwatch
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Fortnite
Watch Dogs Legion
Rainbow Six Siege

After reading the results of joint benchmarks and videos, you can already make an briefed decision about which CPU is better to buy for gaming AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i9-9980XE.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i9-9980XE

59%

Ryzen 5 3600X

55%

The number of this parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i9-9980XE is 6% better than Ryzen 5 3600X. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i9-9980XE

60%

Ryzen 5 3600X

54%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a little game result, look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Monster Hunter World, Hitman 3, Half-Life: Alyx, DOTA 2A, Forza Horizon 4, Battlefield V, League of Legends (LOL), Microsoft Flight Simulator, Metro Exodus, Control, NBA 2K20, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ghostrunner.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	106.2	96.0
Valorant	120.7	109.1
Cyberpunk 2077	67.6	61.1
Apex Legends	113.5	102.6
Call of Duty Warzone	90.5	81.9
Overwatch	97.8	88.4
Red Dead Redemption 2	83.3	75.3
DOOM Eternal	60.3	54.6
Warzone	94.1	85.1
Assassin's Creed	101.4	91.7
Valheim	100.2	90.6

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers that were in the comparisons not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 4K, 2K or FullHD. So the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i9-9980XE

23%

Ryzen 5 3600X

47%

To make a finishing decision on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. It is clear that the newer the generation, the better the performance of the processor in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Ryzen 5 3600X is more energy efficient than the Core i9-9980XE as it consumes less power: 165W vs. 95W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you must know its TDP. It is necessary to calculate so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

If you plan to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for programming, streaming, machine learning, video rendering or video editing, then the main parameter for you is its performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, the processor uses all cores and threads that it has to the maximum to achieve maximum performance. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to find out whether the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that can use only one core to run, and all the benefit of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i9-9980XE	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Cinbench 15 Single-core	201	204
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	3240	1647
Cinbench 20 Single-core	459	501
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	7516	3751
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1124	1286
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	22944	9588

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i9-9980XE	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Single-Core	2551	2651
Multi-Core	32096	18377

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i9-9980XE	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Single-Core	1178	1341
Multi-Core	17856	7891

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same can be said about overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS even in the newest games. Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The economy are obvious!

	Intel Core i9-9980XE	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Announcement date	October 01, 2018	July 07, 2019
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA2066	AM4
Core name	Skylake	Matisse
Architecture	x86	Zen 2
Generation	9	3
Turbo Frequency	4.5 MHz	4.4 MHz
Frequency	3 MHz	3.8 MHz
Cores	18	6
Threads	36	12
Bus rate	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	14 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	8600 millions	4200 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	165 W	95 W
Memory type	DDR4-2666	DDR4
Max. Memory	128 Gb
Memory Frequency		3200
Memory bandwidth	85 GB/s
L1 cache		384KB
L2 cache		3MB
L3 cache	24.75 MB	32MB
Overclocking	Yes	Yes
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number		100-000000022 100-100000022BOX 100-100000022MPK

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Ryzen 5 3600X is 21% better than Core i9-9980XE in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i9-9980XE has 12 more core than Ryzen 5 3600X. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i9-9980XE is better: 24
The number of parameters for which AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is better: 13
However, it should be realized that all the number in the text above do not mean that taking them into account you should totally trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Be sure to watch the video tests and read the reviews of of people who bought Intel Core i9-9980XE and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X before making a selection which of the CPUs to buy for gaming.

• Intel Core i9-9980XE specs and review.

• AMD Ryzen 5 3600X specs and review.