AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X vs Intel Core i7-6900K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X or AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X – 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 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.
The Intel Core i7-6900K features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2016 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000 Group Intel Core i 6000
3 Generation 6
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X Name Intel Core i7-6900K
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

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.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-6900K has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6900K is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
128 Threads 16
64x Cores 8x
64 CPU Cores 8
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.7 GHz
2.9 GHz Frequency 3.2 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6900K 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 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 76.8 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
DDR4-3200 Memory type DDR4-2400
Yes ECC No
2.0 TB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
4 Memory channels 4
102.4 GB/s Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s
 
 

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 140 W watts.
280 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
95 °C Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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 256.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-6900K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
Q1/2020 Release date Q2/2016
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
7 nm Technology 14 nm
Chiplet Chip design Monolithic
3990 $ Release price --
Castle Peak (Zen 2) Architecture Skylake S
256.0 MB L3-Cache 20.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
TRX4 (sTRX4) Socket LGA 2011-3
32.0 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
64355
64355
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
11326
11326

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
34670
34670
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7651
7651

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
26731
26731
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
4402
4402

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
15832
15832
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
7471
7471

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
1639
1639
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1254
1254

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
64C 128T @ 2.9 GHz
1284
1284
Intel Core i7-6900K
8C 16T @ 3.2 GHz
1151
1151