Intel Core i9-7960X vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

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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 2950X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 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 2950X, you'll need a motherboard with a TR4 (SP3r2) socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-7960X Name AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen Threadripper
7 Generation 2
Intel Core i 7000X Group AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2000
 
 

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 2950X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.4 GHz.
4.2 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.4 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
2.8 GHz Frequency 3.5 GHz
32 Threads 32
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
16 CPU Cores 16
16x Cores 16x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-7960X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 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 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.
4 Memory channels 4
128.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
85.4 GB/s Bandwidth 93.8 GB/s
DDR4-2666 Memory type DDR4-2933
 
 

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 180 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
165 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 180 W
 
 

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 2950X is manufactured using a 12 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 32.0 MB cache.
Q4/2017 Release date Q3/2018
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 8.0 MB
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
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
Skylake X Architecture Colfax (Zen+)
14 nm Technology 12 nm
LGA 2066 Socket TR4 (SP3r2)
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
1699 $ Release price 899 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
22.0 MB L3-Cache 32.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
60465
60465
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
59374
59374

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
22189
22189
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
21444
21444

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
13468
13468
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
12458
12458

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
11810
11810
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
8814
8814

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
3187
3187
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 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
1255
1255

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
1127
1127
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
1103
1103

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
16C 32T @ 3.5 GHz
116.3
116.3
Intel Core i9-7960X
16C 32T @ 2.8 GHz
111.4
111.4