Intel Core i9-9960X vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

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Combined performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
35.73
+79.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i9-9960X by 79% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking83244
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money19.248.01
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen ThreadripperIntel Core i9
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date25 November 2019 (4 years old)19 October 2018 (5 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,399$1,684
Current price$1800 (1.3x MSRP)$1490 (0.9x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has 140% better value for money than i9-9960X.

Technical specs

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores24 (Tetracosa-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads4832
Base clock speed3.8 GHz3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus support8 × 16 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
L1 cache96K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache128 MB22 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm14 nm
Die sizeno data484 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data85 °C
Number of transistors19,200 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketTR4FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
TSXno data+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Statusno dataDiscontinued

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X are enumerated here.

AMD-V+no data
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR4-2666
Maximum memory size256 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/s85 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card-N/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X.

PCIe versionno data3.0
PCI Express lanesno data44

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 35.73
+79.3%
i9-9960X 19.93

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i9-9960X by 79% in our combined benchmark results.


Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 54872
+79.2%
i9-9960X 30618

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i9-9960X by 79% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 1667
+21%
i9-9960X 1378

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i9-9960X by 21% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 13318
+33.3%
i9-9960X 9994

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i9-9960X by 33% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 35.73 19.93
Recency 25 November 2019 19 October 2018
Physical cores 24 16
Threads 48 32
Cost $1399 $1684
Chip lithography 7 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 165 Watt

The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Core i9-9960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
Intel Core i9-9960X
Core i9-9960X

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