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

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-9960X or Intel Core i9-9960X – 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 i9-9960X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 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 i9-9960X, 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 9000X Group AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2000
9 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-9960X Name AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen Threadripper
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-9960X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-9960X is 3.1 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 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
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.
32 Threads 48
16x Cores 24x
16 CPU Cores 24
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.2 GHz
3.1 GHz Frequency 3.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-9960X 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 42.7 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
42.7 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
92 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-9960X 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.
Q4/2018 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
1684 $ Release price 1299 $
Skylake X Refresh Architecture Colfax (Zen+)
22.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 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 TR4 (SP3r2)
0 bytes L2-Cache 12.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
14740
14740
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
14314
14314

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
11020
11020
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
9243
9243

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
10008
10008
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
6671
6671

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
4324
4324
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
2872
2872

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
1459
1459
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
1193
1193

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
104.3
104.3
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
24C 48T @ 3.0 GHz
75.3
75.3