PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% higher PassMark.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($1,979 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,680 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 396.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 29,127).

Core i9-9980XE

2018

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% higher PassMark.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅+29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,680 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Delivers 396.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $1,979 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.7 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($1,979 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 29,127).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i9-9980XE?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen 5 5600X is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9980XE pulls ahead with 33.3% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600X also has the bigger cache pool with 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9980XE is the better fit. You are getting 33.3% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 5600X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 5 5600X is $1,680 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $1,979 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i9-9980XE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 33.3% better PassMark. It is also 396.4% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 14.7 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 5600X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and 29.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-9980XE Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	168 FPS	203 FPS
medium	148 FPS	174 FPS
high	119 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	169 FPS
medium	120 FPS	141 FPS
high	96 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	76 FPS	85 FPS
medium	70 FPS	76 FPS
high	55 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core i9-9980XE Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	498 FPS	464 FPS
medium	429 FPS	387 FPS
high	370 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	335 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	430 FPS	397 FPS
medium	377 FPS	334 FPS
high	329 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	286 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	268 FPS	263 FPS
medium	234 FPS	226 FPS
high	222 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	192 FPS	171 FPS

Open Core i9-9980XE Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	728 FPS	546 FPS
medium	728 FPS	473 FPS
high	728 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	645 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	728 FPS	508 FPS
medium	659 FPS	413 FPS
high	624 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	554 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	492 FPS	348 FPS
medium	414 FPS	292 FPS
high	371 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	306 FPS	199 FPS

Open Core i9-9980XE Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	728 FPS	546 FPS
medium	728 FPS	546 FPS
high	728 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	679 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	728 FPS	546 FPS
medium	728 FPS	546 FPS
high	639 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	558 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	581 FPS	529 FPS
medium	525 FPS	484 FPS
high	469 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	409 FPS	379 FPS

Open Core i9-9980XE Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i9-9980XE

The Core i9-9980XE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 29,127 points. Launch price was $1,979.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9980XE packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9980XE has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9980XE versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-9980XE uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9980XE scores 29,127 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 28.6% lead for the Core i9-9980XE. L3 cache: 24.75 MB (total) on the Core i9-9980XE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+200%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.6 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	24.75 MB (total)	32 MB+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	29,127+33%	21,845
Cinebench R23 Multi	22,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,177	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9980XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9980XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Core i9-9980XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9980XE) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9980XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9980XE) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Core i9-9980XE targets HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i9-9980XE rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.

Feature	Core i9-9980XE	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	HEDT / Workstation / Content Creation	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-9980XE launched at $1979 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($1979 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 5600X is $1680 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9980XE delivers 14.7 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 132.9% better value option.