Intel Core i9-9900KS vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-9900KS and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

 

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9900KS

  • CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 2 month(s) later
  • Around 14% higher clock speed: 5.00 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
  • Around 47% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 68°C
  • Around 42% lower typical power consumption: 127 Watt vs 180 Watt
  • Around 24% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3036 vs 2458
  • Around 33% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1408 vs 1059
Specifications (specs)
Launch date Nov 2019 vs 31 August 2018
Maximum frequency 5.00 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
Maximum core temperature 100°C vs 68°C
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 127 Watt vs 180 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark 3036 vs 2458
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 1408 vs 1059

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

  • Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
  • 8 more cores, run more applications at once: 16 vs 8
  • 16 more threads: 32 vs 16
  • A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 12 nm vs 14 nm
  • 3x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
  • 4x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
  • 2x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
  • Around 51% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 29456 vs 19470
  • Around 33% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 12581 vs 9451
  • Around 8% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 7974 vs 7373
Specifications (specs)
Unlocked Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores 16 vs 8
Number of threads 32 vs 16
Manufacturing process technology 12 nm vs 14 nm
L1 cache 1536 KB vs 512 KB
L2 cache 8 MB vs 2 MB
L3 cache 32 MB vs 16 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark 29456 vs 19470
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 12581 vs 9451
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 7974 vs 7373

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-9900KS
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

PassMark - Single thread mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
3036
2458
PassMark - CPU mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
19470
29456
Geekbench 4 - Single Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
1408
1059
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
9451
12581
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score
CPU 1
CPU 2
7373
7974
Name Intel Core i9-9900KS AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
PassMark - Single thread mark 3036 2458
PassMark - CPU mark 19470 29456
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 1408 1059
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 9451 12581
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 7373 7974

Compare specifications (specs)

Intel Core i9-9900KS AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Essentials

Architecture codename Coffee Lake Zen+
Launch date Nov 2019 31 August 2018
Launch price (MSRP) $513 - $524
Place in performance rating 827 838
Processor Number i9-9900KS
Series 9th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors
Status Launched
Vertical segment Desktop Desktop
Family AMD Ryzen Processors
OPN PIB YD295XA8AFWOF
OPN Tray YD295XA8UGAAF
OS Support Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit
Price now $899.99
Value for money (0-100) 8.50

Performance

64 bit support
Base frequency 4.00 GHz 3.5 GHz
Bus Speed 8 GT/s
L1 cache 512 KB 1536 KB
L2 cache 2 MB 8 MB
L3 cache 16 MB 32 MB
Manufacturing process technology 14 nm 12 nm
Maximum core temperature 100°C 68°C
Maximum frequency 5.00 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of cores 8 16
Number of threads 16 32
Die size 213 mm
Transistor count 9600 million
Unlocked

Memory

Max memory channels 2 4
Maximum memory bandwidth 41.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size 128 GB
Supported memory types DDR4-2666 DDR4
Supported memory frequency 2933 MHz

Graphics

Device ID 0x3E98
Graphics base frequency 350 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency 1.20 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Clear Video technology
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Max video memory 64 GB
Processor graphics Intel UHD Graphics 630

Graphics interfaces

Number of displays supported 3

Graphics image quality

4K resolution support
Max resolution over DisplayPort 4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over eDP 4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4 4096x2304@24Hz

Graphics API support

DirectX 12
OpenGL 4.5

Compatibility

Max number of CPUs in a configuration 1 1
Package Size 37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported FCLGA1151 sTR4
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 127 Watt 180 Watt
Thermal Solution PCG 2015D Not included

Peripherals

Max number of PCIe lanes 16
PCI Express revision 3.0 3.0
PCIe configurations Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
Scalability 1S Only

Security & Reliability

Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® Memory Protection Extensions (Intel® MPX)
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Secure Boot

Advanced Technologies

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)
Intel® TSX-NI
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
AMD SenseMI
The "Zen" Core Architecture

Virtualization

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)