Ryzen Threadripper 7970X vs i9-9960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	303	14
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	4.73	20.72
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	no data
Power efficiency	10.93	16.79
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Storm Peak (2023)
Release date	19 October 2018 (6 years ago)	19 October 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,684	$2,499

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X has 338% better value for money than i9-9960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 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	16 (Hexadeca-Core)	32 (Dotriaconta-Core)
Threads	32	64
Base clock speed	3.1 GHz	4 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	5.3 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	no data
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	no data
Multiplier	31	no data
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	22 MB (shared)	128 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	5 nm
Die size	484 mm2	4x 71 mm2
Maximum core temperature	85 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	26,280 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	no data
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 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
Socket	FCLGA2066	sTR5
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	350 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. 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	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	no data
TSX	+	-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
Precision Boost 2	no data	+

Security technologies

Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 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 Threadripper 7970X 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 Threadripper 7970X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR5
Maximum memory size	128 GB	no data
Max memory channels	4	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	85.33 GB/s	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

N/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0
PCI Express lanes	44	48

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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	19.05	62.08
Recency	19 October 2018	19 October 2023
Physical cores	16	32
Threads	32	64
Chip lithography	14 nm	5 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	350 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9960X and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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