Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs i9-9980XE

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9980XE
2018
18 cores / 36 threads, 165 Watt
18.34
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
2019
24 cores / 48 threads, 280 Watt
34.55
+88.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X outperforms Core i9-9980XE by an impressive 88% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

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

Place in the ranking329108
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation3.9518.54
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9AMD Ryzen Threadripper
Power efficiency10.5211.68
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Matisse (2019−2020)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)25 November 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,979$1,399

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has 369% better value for money than i9-9980XE.

Detailed specifications

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 cores18 (Octadeca-Core)24 (Tetracosa-Core)
Threads3648
Base clock speed3 GHz3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier3038
L1 cache64 KB (per core)96K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache24.75 MB (shared)128 MB
Chip lithography14 nm7 nm, 12 nm
Die size484 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature84 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data19,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2066TR4
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt280 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 extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
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 i9-9980XE 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 typesDDR4DDR4 Eight-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB256 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s102.403 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/A-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9980XE and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes44no 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.


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.

i9-9980XE 18.34
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 34.55
+88.4%

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.

i9-9980XE 29127
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 54875
+88.4%

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.

i9-9980XE 1428
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 1677
+17.4%

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.

i9-9980XE 11345
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X 13260
+16.9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.34 34.55
Recency 19 October 2018 25 November 2019
Physical cores 18 24
Threads 36 48
Chip lithography 14 nm 7 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 280 Watt

i9-9980XE has 69.7% lower power consumption.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, on the other hand, has a 88.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 100% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9980XE in performance tests.


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

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-9980XE
Core i9-9980XE
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


2.6 102 votes

Rate Core i9-9980XE on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.1 117 votes

Rate Ryzen Threadripper 3960X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-9980XE or Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.