Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs i7-980X EE
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i7-980X EE by a whopping 800% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-980X EE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1469 | 108 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 18.53 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Core i7 (Desktop) | AMD Ryzen Threadripper |
| Power efficiency | 2.80 | 11.68 |
| Architecture codename | Gulftown (2010−2011) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| Release date | no data | 25 November 2019 (5 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $1,399 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-980X EE 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 | 6 (Hexa-Core) | 24 (Tetracosa-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 48 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.6 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Bus rate | 6400 MHz | 8 × 16 GT/s |
| Multiplier | no data | 38 |
| L1 cache | no data | 96K (per core) |
| L2 cache | no data | 512K (per core) |
| L3 cache | no data | 128 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 19,200 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-980X EE 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 | no data | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | LGA-1366 | TR4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 280 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-980X EE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | - | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| Precision Boost 2 | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-980X EE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | - | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-980X EE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR4 Eight-channel |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 256 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 102.403 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | - | + |
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 3.84 | 34.55 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 24 |
| Threads | 12 | 48 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 7 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 280 Watt |
i7-980X EE has 115.4% lower power consumption.
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, on the other hand, has a 799.7% higher aggregate performance score, 300% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 357.1% more advanced lithography process.
The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980X EE in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-980X EE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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