Intel Core i9-7960X vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-7960X or Intel Core i9-7960X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-7960X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2017 and belongs to the 7 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-7960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX features 24 processor cores and has the capability to manage 48 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2018 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper series.
To use the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, you'll need a motherboard with a TR4 (SP3r2) socket.
Intel Core i 7000X Group AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2000
7 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-7960X Name AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen Threadripper
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-7960X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-7960X is 2.8 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 24 CPU cores and can calculate 48 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is 3.0 GHz
32 Threads 48
16x Cores 24x
16 CPU Cores 24
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.2 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.2 GHz
2.8 GHz Frequency 3.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-7960X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 85.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR4-2666 Memory type DDR4-2933
No ECC Yes
128.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
4 Memory channels 4
85.4 GB/s Bandwidth 93.8 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 165 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 250 W watts.
165 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 250 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-7960X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 22.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured using a 12 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 64.0 MB cache.
Q4/2017 Release date Q3/2018
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
14 nm Technology 12 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
1699 $ Release price 1299 $
Skylake X Architecture Colfax (Zen+)
22.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2066 Socket TR4 (SP3r2)
0 bytes L2-Cache 12.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
74753
74753
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
59374
59374

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
14740
14740
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
13468
13468

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
12793
12793
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
8088
8088

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
11810
11810
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
9243
9243

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
4324
4324
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
3161
3161

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
1394
1394
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
1193
1193

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
111.4
111.4
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
75.3
75.3