i7-990X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	65	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	15.61	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	AMD Ryzen Threadripper	Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency	13.44	no data
Architecture codename	Matisse (2019−2020)	Westmere (2010−2011)
Release date	25 November 2019 (4 years ago)	13 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,999	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition 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	32 (Dotriaconta-Core)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	64	12
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	no data
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	3.46 GHz
Bus type	no data	QPI
Bus rate	8 × 16 GT/s	6.4 GT/s
Multiplier	37	26
L1 cache	96K (per core)	no data
L2 cache	512K (per core)	1.5 MB
L3 cache	128 MB	12 MB
Chip lithography	7 nm, 12 nm	32 nm
Die size	no data	239 mm2
Number of transistors	19,200 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition 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 (Uniprocessor)	1 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	TR4	no data
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	no data	+
Precision Boost 2	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

AMD-V

+

-

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4 Eight-channel	no data
Maximum memory size	256 GB	24 GB
Max memory channels	4	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	102.403 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	+	-

Pros & cons summary

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Recency	25 November 2019	13 February 2011
Physical cores	32	6
Threads	64	12
Chip lithography	7 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	130 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-990X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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