Intel Core i9-10980XE vs Intel Core i9-7960X

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Core i9-10980XE compared with Core i9-7960X

	IntelCore i9-10980XE	IntelCore i9-7960X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2019	September 2017
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	18 (better)	16
Threads
Threads	36 (better)	32
Base clock
Base clock	3 GHz	2.8 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.8 GHz (better)	4.4 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	24.75 MB (better)	22 MB
Cores
Cores	Cascade Lake; 18 cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier is confirmed by Intel’s exact-model family product brief.	Skylake-X; 16 cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier is confirmed by Intel’s exact-model family product brief.
Clocks
Clocks	Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.80 GHz on the preferred core; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.60 GHz. The main boost field uses Intel’s highest published frequency. Intel targeted November 2019 availability. Scan’s dated 26 November guide confirms that this exact processor was available to purchase; the exact maker-confirmed first-sale day remains unverified, so month precision is retained.	Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.40 GHz on the preferred core; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.20 GHz. The main boost field uses Intel’s highest published frequency. Intel’s August family notice explicitly states that the new fourteen- to eighteen-core processors would be available on 25 September 2017; Puget’s contemporary exact-model tests confirm availability that day.
Cache
Cache	24.75 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3).	22 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3).
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	No processor graphics, explicitly stated in Intel’s exact-model comparison-chart row; a separate graphics solution is required.	No processor graphics, explicitly stated in Intel’s exact-model comparison-chart row; a separate graphics solution is required.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2066	LGA2066
Base power
Base power	165 W	165 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	Up to 256 GB; four channels of DDR4-2933; 94 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC.	Up to 128 GB; four channels of DDR4-2666; 85 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC.
PCIe
PCIe	48 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0. Intel’s 72-lane platform figure includes chipset lanes and is distinct from the processor’s 48 lanes.	44 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0.
Chipsets
Chipsets	Intel X299; LGA2066.	Intel X299; LGA2066.
Process
Process	14 nm; Cascade Lake.	14 nm (Ars Technica exact-model review); Skylake-X. Current Intel specifications omit lithography.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product; a separate compatible cooler is required. Published junction limit: 86°C.	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product; a separate compatible cooler is required. Published junction limit: 98°C.