What To Know
- Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head comparison of the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U and the Intel Core i9 9980XE, two CPUs that might seem like an odd pairing at first glance.
- The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U is a power-efficient, mobile processor designed for thin and light laptops, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE is a high-end desktop processor designed for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming.
- The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U’s higher clock speeds and Zen 4 architecture translate to slightly better single-core performance compared to the Intel Core i9 9980XE, making it suitable for tasks like web browsing, productivity, and light gaming.
Choosing the right CPU for your needs can be a daunting task, especially when comparing processors from different generations and price points. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head comparison of the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U and the Intel Core i9 9980XE, two CPUs that might seem like an odd pairing at first glance.
The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U is a power-efficient, mobile processor designed for thin and light laptops, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE is a high-end desktop processor designed for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming. This comparison will explore the strengths and weaknesses of each processor, helping you understand which one might be the right choice for your specific needs.
Core Count and Architecture: A Tale of Two Designs
The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U and the Intel Core i9 9980XE are fundamentally different in their core count and architecture. The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture, designed for efficiency and portability. In contrast, the Intel Core i9 9980XE boasts an impressive 18 cores and 36 threads, built on the older Skylake-X architecture, prioritizing raw processing power.
Clock Speeds and Turbo Boost: A Race to the Top
The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U has a base clock speed of 2.9 GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.1 GHz, impressive for a mobile processor. The Intel Core i9 9980XE has a base clock speed of 3.0 GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.5 GHz, slightly lower than the Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U’s boost speed but still quite impressive for a desktop processor.
Cache and Memory Support: Balancing Performance and Efficiency
The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U comes with 16 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE boasts a massive 24.75 MB of L3 cache. This difference in cache size reflects the different needs of the two processors. The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U prioritizes efficiency, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE emphasizes raw performance.
In terms of memory support, the Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U supports DDR5-5200 memory, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE supports DDR4-2666 memory. The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U’s support for faster DDR5 memory provides a significant advantage in terms of memory bandwidth.
Power Consumption and Thermal Design Power: Efficiency vs. Power
The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U is designed for low power consumption and has a TDP of 15W, making it ideal for thin and light laptops. The Intel Core i9 9980XE, on the other hand, has a TDP of 165W, requiring a powerful cooling solution to handle its high power consumption.
Benchmark Performance: Putting the Processors to the Test
While comparing benchmarks directly can be misleading due to the different target audiences, it’s still valuable to understand how these processors perform in real-world scenarios.
Single-Core Performance: The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U’s higher clock speeds and Zen 4 architecture translate to slightly better single-core performance compared to the Intel Core i9 9980XE, making it suitable for tasks like web browsing, productivity, and light gaming.
Multi-Core Performance: The Intel Core i9 9980XE’s 18 cores and 36 threads offer a significant advantage in multi-core performance, excelling in tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and software development.
Gaming Performance: The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U’s integrated Radeon 780M graphics offers acceptable gaming performance at lower resolutions and settings, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE requires a dedicated graphics card for high-end gaming.
Price and Availability: Finding the Right Value
The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U is available in various laptops, with prices ranging from around $800 to $1500. The Intel Core i9 9980XE is no longer available for purchase as it’s been discontinued. This difference in price reflects their target markets and intended use cases.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Processor for Your Needs
Choosing between the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U and the Intel Core i9 9980XE depends entirely on your specific needs and budget.
Choose the Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U if you:
- Need a portable and efficient processor for a laptop.
- Prioritize battery life and long-term performance.
- Require a processor with good single-core performance for everyday tasks.
- Have a limited budget.
Choose the Intel Core i9 9980XE if you:
- Need a powerful desktop processor for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and software development.
- Prioritize multi-core performance and are willing to invest in a high-end desktop PC.
- Have a high budget and are ready to invest in a powerful cooling solution.
Final Thoughts: A World of Possibilities
The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U and the Intel Core i9 9980XE represent two distinct ends of the CPU spectrum. The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U offers efficiency and portability, making it an excellent choice for everyday tasks and mobile productivity, while the Intel Core i9 9980XE delivers raw power, ideal for demanding creative tasks and high-end gaming. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q1: Can I upgrade the Intel Core i9 9980XE to a newer processor?
A: No, the Intel Core i9 9980XE is a socket-specific processor, and there are no compatible upgrades available.
Q2: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U suitable for gaming?
A: The Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U’s integrated Radeon 780M graphics can handle casual gaming at lower resolutions and settings. However, for high-end gaming, a dedicated graphics card is recommended.
Q3: What are the main advantages of the Intel Core i9 9980XE over the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U?
A: The Intel Core i9 9980XE offers significantly better multi-core performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and software development.
Q4: Can I overclock the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U?
A: The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U is a mobile processor, and overclocking is typically not supported on mobile processors.
Q5: Which processor is better for everyday tasks?
A: For everyday tasks like web browsing, productivity, and light gaming, the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U offers a better balance of performance and efficiency.
