AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Core i9-9960X

Comparative analysis of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Intel Core i9-9960X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization, Security & Reliability. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Intel Core i9-9960X

Differences

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

8 more cores, run more applications at once: 24 vs 16
16 more threads: 48 vs 32
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 12 nm vs 14 nm
2.3x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2.9x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 3% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 31038 vs 30120

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	24 vs 16
Number of threads	48 vs 32
Manufacturing process technology	12 nm vs 14 nm
L1 cache	2304 KB vs 64K (per core)
L3 cache	64 MB vs 22 MB (shared)
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	31038 vs 30120

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9960X

Around 5% higher clock speed: 4.40 GHz vs 4.2 GHz
Around 25% higher maximum core temperature: 85°C vs 68°C
Around 33% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 52% lower typical power consumption: 165 Watt vs 250 Watt
Around 11% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2591 vs 2339
Around 14% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1158 vs 1016
Around 38% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 14294 vs 10347

Specifications (specs)
Maximum frequency	4.40 GHz vs 4.2 GHz
Maximum core temperature	85°C vs 68°C
L2 cache	1 MB (per core) vs 12 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	165 Watt vs 250 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2591 vs 2339
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1158 vs 1016
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	14294 vs 10347

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9960X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2339

2591

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

31038

30120

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1016

1158

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

10347

14294

Name	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX	Intel Core i9-9960X
PassMark - Single thread mark	2339	2591
PassMark - CPU mark	31038	30120
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1016	1158
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	10347	14294
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score		13076

Compare specifications (specs)

	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX	Intel Core i9-9960X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Zen	Skylake
Family	AMD Ryzen Processors
Launch date	October 2018	October 2018
OPN PIB	YD297XAZAFWOF
OPN Tray	YD297XAZUHCAF
OS Support	Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit
Place in performance rating	961	569
Price now	$1,299.99
Series	AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Value for money (0-100)	3.52
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Processor Number		i9-9960X
Status		Launched
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3 GHz	3.10 GHz
Die size	213 mm
L1 cache	2304 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	12 MB	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	64 MB	22 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	12 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	68°C	85°C
Maximum frequency	4.2 GHz	4.40 GHz
Number of cores	24	16
Number of threads	48	32
Transistor count	19200 million
Unlocked
Bus Speed		8 GT/s DMI3
Number of QPI Links		0
Memory
Max memory channels	4	4
Supported memory frequency	2933 MHz
Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size		128 GB
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	sTR4	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	250 Watt	165 Watt
Thermal Solution	Not included	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
PCI Express revision	3.0	3.0
Max number of PCIe lanes		44
Scalability		1S Only
Advanced Technologies
AMD SenseMI
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® AES New Instructions
The "Zen" Core Architecture
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Instruction set extensions		Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units		2
Virtualization
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)