10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980XE
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 4.8 GHz / 3.0 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 18 Core / 36 Thread
- Cache:
- 24.8MB L3 + 18MB L2 + 1.1MB L1
- TDP:
- 165 Watts
- CPU Process Node:
- 14 Nanometers
- CPU Socket:
- FCLGA2066
- CPU Series:
- Cascade Lake-X
- Memory Support:
- DDR4-2933
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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: September 9, 2026
Description
The 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980XE is Intel's high-end desktop (HEDT) flagship, an 18-core, 36-thread processor built on Cascade Lake-X, running a 3.0 GHz base clock that boosts to 4.8 GHz within a 165 Watt TDP on the LGA2066 socket.
This chip targets workstation and extreme content-creation use cases specifically, where genuine 18-core throughput matters more than any single-threaded metric, a fundamentally different design goal than mainstream desktop or laptop chips.
Platform
This HEDT chip requires an X299-series motherboard on the LGA2066 socket, a specialized workstation platform distinct from mainstream Intel desktop sockets, typically paired with quad-channel memory support for genuine workstation workloads.
How Is the Core i9-10980XE in Terms of Performance
With 18 cores and 36 threads, this chip is built specifically for the most demanding parallel workloads: video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing, where its massive multi-threaded ceiling far exceeds mainstream 8-core desktop chips of the same generation.
Benchmarks
Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 24,109 place this chip well ahead of mainstream 8-core desktop chips of its generation, directly reflecting the doubled-plus core count. Geekbench 5 multi-core scores of 15,760 confirm genuinely workstation-tier multi-threaded throughput, though single-core scores (1,178 Cinebench R23) trail mainstream chips given the lower per-core clock ceiling typical of high-core-count HEDT designs.
Specifications
| Form Factor | Server & Enthusiast |
|---|---|
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Core i9 |
| Model Number | 10980XE |
| Boost/Base Clock | 4.8 GHz / 3.0 GHz |
| Core/Thread Count | 18 Core / 36 Thread |
| Cache | 24.8MB L3 + 18MB L2 + 1.1MB L1 |
| TDP | 165 Watts |
| CPU Process Node | 14 Nanometers |
| CPU Socket | FCLGA2066 |
| CPU Series | Cascade Lake-X, 10th Gen Intel Core |
| Memory Support | DDR4-2933, non-ECC (ECC not supported) |
Expert Review
Rated by the Consumercarts editorial team, not by users
Best for
- Workstation and extreme content-creation workloads needing genuine 18-core, 36-thread parallel throughput
Not for
- Gaming or everyday use — mainstream 8-core desktop chips deliver better single-threaded performance at a fraction of the price and power draw