Ryzen 9 7950X vs i9-9960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9960X
2018
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
19.05
Ryzen 9 7950X
2022
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
39.46
+107%

Ryzen 9 7950X outperforms Core i9-9960X by a whopping 107% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking30967
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.91no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency10.9221.95
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Raphael (Zen 4) (2022)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)27 September 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,684no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads3232
Base clock speed3.1 GHz4.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier31no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache22 MB (shared)64 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm5 nm
Die size484 mm2CCD = 2x 70 sq. mm, I/O = 122 mm2
Maximum core temperature85 °C95 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data47 °C
Number of transistorsno data13140 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X 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
SocketFCLGA2066AM5
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm, 0.650 - 1.475 V
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X 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 i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5-5200
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AAMD Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 7000) (400 - 2200 MHz)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes4424

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.

i9-9960X 19.05
Ryzen 9 7950X 39.46
+107%

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.

i9-9960X 30254
Ryzen 9 7950X 62680
+107%

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.

i9-9960X 1385
Ryzen 9 7950X 2985
+116%

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.

i9-9960X 10376
Ryzen 9 7950X 19448
+87.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 19.05 39.46
Recency 19 October 2018 27 September 2022
Chip lithography 14 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 170 Watt

i9-9960X has 3% lower power consumption.

Ryzen 9 7950X, on the other hand, has a 107.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, and a 180% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen 9 7950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 7950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-9960X
Core i9-9960X
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Ryzen 9 7950X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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