Intel Core i9-9900X vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-9900X or Intel Core i9-9900X – 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 i9-9900X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2018 and belongs to the 9 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-9900X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X features 64 processor cores and has the capability to manage 128 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2020 and belongs to the 3 generation of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper series.
To use the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, you'll need a motherboard with a TRX4 (sTRX4) socket.
Intel Core i 9000X Group AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000
9 Generation 3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-9900X Name AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen Threadripper
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-9900X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-9900X is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has 64 CPU cores and can calculate 128 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is 2.9 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.3 GHz.
20 Threads 128
10x Cores 64x
10 CPU Cores 64
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.3 GHz
3.5 GHz Frequency 2.9 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-9900X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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 42.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 2.0 TB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 102.4 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 DDR4-3200
No ECC Yes
128.0 GB Max. Memory 2.0 TB
4 Memory channels 4
42.7 GB/s Bandwidth 102.4 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 280 W watts.
165 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 280 W
92 °C Tjunction max 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-9900X 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 19.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 256.0 MB cache.
Q4/2018 Release date Q1/2020
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 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
989 $ Release price 3990 $
Skylake X Refresh Architecture Castle Peak (Zen 2)
19.0 MB L3-Cache 256.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 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 TRX4 (sTRX4)
0 bytes L2-Cache 32.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
34670
34670
Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
10490
10490

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
26731
26731
Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
5640
5640

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
24763
24763
Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
4855
4855

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
15832
15832
Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
9475
9475

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
10542
10542
Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
2114
2114

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
1639
1639
Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
1459
1459

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i9-9900X
10C 20T @ 3.5 GHz
169.7
169.7
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
28.9
28.9