AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Intel Core i9-9960X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X or AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X – 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 AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X features 32 processor cores and has the capability to manage 64 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2019 and belongs to the 3 generation of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper series.
To use the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, you'll need a motherboard with a TRX4 (sTRX4) socket.
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.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Name Intel Core i9-9960X
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Family Intel Core i9
3 Generation 9
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000 Group Intel Core i 9000X
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 32 CPU cores and can calculate 64 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is 3.7 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 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
4.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.5 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.7 GHz Frequency 3.1 GHz
64 Threads 32
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
32 CPU Cores 16
32x Cores 16x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i9-9960X does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

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.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

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.
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.
4 Memory channels 4
2.0 TB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
Yes ECC No
102.4 GB/s Bandwidth 42.7 GB/s
DDR4-3200 Memory type DDR4-2666
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 280 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 165 W watts.
95 °C Tjunction max 92 °C
280 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 165 W
 
 

Technical details

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 128.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i9-9960X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 22.0 MB cache.
Q4/2019 Release date Q4/2018
-- Part Number --
16.0 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
AMD-V, SVM Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512
Chiplet Chip design Monolithic
Castle Peak (Zen 2) Architecture Skylake X Refresh
7 nm Technology 14 nm
TRX4 (sTRX4) Socket LGA 2066
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
1969 $ Release price 1684 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
128.0 MB L3-Cache 22.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C 64T @ 3.7 GHz
22727
22727
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
14314
14314

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C 64T @ 3.7 GHz
17105
17105
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
6671
6671

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C 64T @ 3.7 GHz
14637
14637
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
11020
11020

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C 64T @ 3.7 GHz
7398
7398
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
2872
2872

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C 64T @ 3.7 GHz
1724
1724
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
1459
1459

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
104.3
104.3
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C 64T @ 3.7 GHz
44.5
44.5