Intel Core i9-7980XE full specs: 18C/36T @ 4.4GHz, $1999

Intel announced its flagship Core i9-7980XE processor during Computex in June, but didn't provide details on its clock speeds. But now there's a leaked slide on the upcoming Core X "Skylake-X" processors, including the 7980XE.

Intel's upcoming Core i9-7980XE processor will reportedly feature a 2.6GHz base clock, with Turbo Clock 2.0 speeds of 4.2GHz, and massive Turbo Clock 3.0 speeds of up to 4.4GHz. Remember, the Core i9-7980XE is an 18C/36T processor, with a large 165W TDP and even bigger $1999 price.

If we compare the 7980XE against AMD's just-launched Ryzen ThreadRipper 1950X, AMD wins in more departments than you think. AMD loses with the amount of CPU cores and threads with 'just' 16C/32T (versus 18C/36T) and a max CPU clock of 4GHz under XFR.

But the winning side of things includes the X399 chipset that supports up to 64 PCIe 3.0 lanes, compared to just 44 PCIe 3.0 lanes on X299. AMD has priced their ThreadRipper 1950X at half the price, costing $999 (compared to $1999 for the 7980XE).

We have no idea what to expect from performance, but I have confidence saying that Intel will beat AMD in the performance side of things, but AMD absolutely body slams Intel with price and chipset prowess. AMD is already selling ThreadRipper, while the Core i9-7980XE is nowhere to be seen and is still months away.