Intel Core i9-7980XE 18 Core HEDT CPU Review

Test Setup

Intel i9-7980XE
ASUS X299-A Prime
Corsair ROG Dominator Platinum 3200 - Stock Tests
G.Skill Trident-Z 3600 - OC Tests
Corsair RM1000i
Corsair MP500 512GB
Corsair H110i GT
Windows 10

Overclocking

As always when we're reviewing a new CPU we do our best to keep the test setup the same so that the comparisons are more valid than just using whatever happens to be newest in the office. With the Core i9-7980XE we used the ASUS X299-A Prime we've tested our other Intel X299 7x series processors on. We will be revisiting this particular processor later on to find out how much extra performance you can extract by going for the best possible hardware setup. 

In the meantime the i9-7980XE overclocks fantastically well despite the Prime being the most affordable of the ATX ASUS X299 motherboards. Clearly on the Rampage VI Extreme (for example) it would be even better, but 4.6 GHz at 1.2v is a fabulous start, and the processor is obviously a great one too - as you would expect at this price point - staying beneath 70°C even at these settings and without delidding it.

  
Pushing the i9-7980XE through Prime95 is about as stern a test as you can do and it also passes with aplomb here. Our VRM temperatures just hit 85°C which is still way below their thermal limits and, again, we have to mention that the ASUS Prime is hardly designed for this type of abuse. So this is a worst case scenario. Impressive start.