Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs Core i9-9980XE

General info

Comparing Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	272	86
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Value for money	7.80	19.10
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	AMD Ryzen Threadripper
Architecture codename	Sky Lake-X	Matisse (2019−2020)
Release date	19 October 2018 (5 years old)	25 November 2019 (4 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,979	$1,399
Current price	$1405 (0.7x MSRP)	$1800 (1.3x MSRP)

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has 145% better value for money than i9-9980XE.

Technical specs

Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 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 cores	18 (Octadeca-Core)	24 (Tetracosa-Core)
Threads	36	48
Base clock speed	3 GHz	3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Bus support	no data	8 × 16 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	96K (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)
L3 cache	24.75 MB (shared)	128 MB
Chip lithography	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Die size	484 mm2	no data
Maximum core temperature	84 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	19,200 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 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 configuration	1	1 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	FCLGA2066	TR4
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	280 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	no data
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	no data
TSX	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	no data

Security technologies

Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB

+

no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	+
VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR4 Eight-channel
Maximum memory size	128 GB	256 GB
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	102.403 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 Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X.

PCIe version	3.0	no data
PCI Express lanes	44	no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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 outperforms Core i9-9980XE by 88% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Advantages and disadvantages

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Performance score	19.02	35.82
Recency	19 October 2018	25 November 2019
Physical cores	18	24
Threads	36	48
Cost	$1979	$1399
Chip lithography	14 nm	7 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	280 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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