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Intel Core i9-10980XE Extreme Edition

Intel Core i9-10980XE Extreme Edition in 2025: Is It Worth Getting the Legend of the Past?

April 2025

Key Specifications: Architecture, Process Technology, and Key Features

The Intel Core i9-10980XE processor, released in 2019, still captures the attention of enthusiasts. Its Cascade Lake-X architecture (14 nm) features 18 cores and 36 threads, which remains relevant in 2025 for heavy multi-threaded tasks. The base frequency is 3.0 GHz, with a maximum Turbo Boost of 4.8 GHz.

Key Features:

- Support for 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes — enough for multiple GPUs or NVMe drives.

- Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technologies for load optimization.

- 256 MB of L3 cache — minimizing latency when dealing with large data sets.

However, the 14 nm process technology looks outdated in 2025 compared to the 5 nm AMD Ryzen 9000 and Intel's 18th generation. This impacts energy efficiency: the TDP of 165 W under full load can rise to 250 W when overclocked.

Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets

The processor uses the LGA 2066 socket, limiting motherboard choices to the Intel X299 chipset. By 2025, such boards are no longer being produced, but models like the ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme, MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon, or Gigabyte X299 AORUS Master can still be found on the market (new prices range from $300 to $600).

Selection Features:

- Check for support of DDR4-2933 MHz and the presence of 8 memory slots.

- Ensure the board has a reinforced power supply scheme (VRM), for example, a 12+2 phase design, to handle the load when overclocked.

- To connect modern GPUs (e.g., RTX 5000), ensure that PCIe 3.0 will not create a bottleneck (PCIe 4.0/5.0 is unsupported).

Supported Memory Types: Only DDR4

The Intel Core i9-10980XE operates exclusively with DDR4. The maximum capacity is 256 GB (8x32 GB), with speeds up to 2933 MHz (in XMP profile).

Important: In 2025, DDR4 is gradually being replaced by DDR5, but for professional tasks (rendering, virtualization), memory capacity is prioritized over speed. For instance, 128 GB of DDR4-2933 will cost between $400-600, while a similar DDR5 kit starts at $800.

Power Supply Recommendations

With a TDP of 165 W and the potential for overclocking, a minimum PSU wattage of 750 W is recommended. For systems with multiple GPUs (e.g., 2x RTX 4090), 1200-1500 W will be necessary.

Tips:

- Choose power supplies with 80+ Gold/Platinum certification (Corsair RMx, Seasonic Prime) for stability.

- Use cables with dual braiding and separate lines for the CPU (8+8 pin).

Pros and Cons of the Processor

Pros:

- 18 cores/36 threads — ideal for rendering (Blender, Cinema 4D) and code compilation.

- Availability on the secondary market — prices around $500-700 (new units are rare).

- Scalability — support for quad-channel memory and multi-threaded workloads.

Cons:

- High power consumption — even in 2025, a TDP of 165 W seems excessive.

- Lack of PCIe 4.0/5.0 — limiting for high-speed NVMe SSDs (e.g., Samsung 990 Pro).

- Outdated process technology — competitors offer better performance per watt ratios.

Use Cases: Gaming, Rendering, and More

- Work Tasks:

The processor remains in demand in 3D graphics and video editing studios. For example, rendering a project in DaVinci Resolve takes 15-20% less time than on a 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X.

- Gaming:

In games (Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield), the i9-10980XE lags behind modern 8-core CPUs due to lower frequencies in single-threaded scenarios. Average FPS at 4K is 90-110 compared to 120-140 for the Ryzen 7 8800X3D.

- Virtualization:

With 36 threads, multiple virtual machines can run simultaneously, which is useful for IT professionals.

Comparison with Competitors

- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (16 cores, 32 threads, 5 nm):

Better energy efficiency (TDP 170 W with higher performance) and support for DDR5. Price — $650-700.

- Intel Core i9-14900K (24 cores, 32 threads, 10 nm):

Higher IPC and frequency (up to 6.0 GHz), but fewer cores for multi-threaded tasks. Price — $600.

- AMD Threadripper 3970X (32 cores, 64 threads):

Stronger in multi-threading but more expensive ($1200) and requires an sTRX4 socket.

Conclusion: The i9-10980XE is only advantageous if your budget is under $700 and you need 18 cores.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Cooling: Use a liquid cooling solution compatible with LGA 2066 (e.g., NZXT Kraken X63) or a top-tier air cooler (e.g., Noctua NH-D15).

2. Motherboard: Look for models with Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 3 (e.g., ASUS X299 Sage).

3. Memory: A quad-channel configuration is essential — install at least 4 DDR4 modules.

4. Case: Choose models with good airflow (e.g., Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic) to avoid overheating.

Final Verdict: Who Should Consider the i9-10980XE in 2025?

This processor is worth considering for:

- Professionals with a limited budget who need many cores for rendering.

- Enthusiasts building an X299-based system to upgrade an old workstation.

- IT professionals working with virtualization and parallel computing.

However, for gaming or tasks requiring high single-threaded performance, it is better to opt for modern AMD Ryzen 8000/9000 or Intel Core 14th generation processors.

Conclusion: The Intel Core i9-10980XE in 2025 is a niche solution. It may not suit most users but will remain a lifeline for those who prioritize the price-to-multi-threading ratio.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

October 2019

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i9-10980XE

Code Name

Cascade Lake X

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

3.00 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

4.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

Yes

Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Frequency

Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 identifies the best performing core(s) on a processor and provides increased performance on those cores through increasing frequency as needed by taking advantage of power and thermal headroom. Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 frequency is the clock frequency of the CPU when running in this mode.

4.80 GHz

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA2066

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

165 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

86°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-2933

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

256 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s DMI3

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

94 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

Miscellaneous

Intel Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost) on CPU

A new set of embedded processor technologies designed to accelerate AI deep learning use cases. It extends Intel AVX-512 with a new Vector Neural Network Instruction (VNNI) that significantly increases deep learning inference performance over previous generations.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2 | Intel® AVX-512

Number of AVX-512 FMA Units

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

24.75 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1267

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

16000

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Xeon Silver 4514Y

1357 +7.1%

Xeon Platinum 8360Y

1308 +3.2%

Core i9-10980XE Extreme Edition

1267

Xeon w5-3425

1224 -3.4%

Core i9-9940X

1189 -6.2%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i7-14700KF

23489 +46.8%

Xeon Silver 4314

19253 +20.3%

Core i9-10980XE Extreme Edition

16000

Core i9-9940X

14374 -10.2%

Core i5-14490F

12980 -18.9%