i7-990X EE vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX outperforms Core i7-990X EE by a whopping 364% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 300 | 1389 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 6.48 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | Core i7 (Desktop) |
| Power efficiency | 7.28 | 3.02 |
| Architecture codename | Zen+ (2018−2019) | Gulftown (2010−2011) |
| Release date | 2 October 2018 (6 years ago) | no data |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,299 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE 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 | 24 (Tetracosa-Core) | 6 (Hexa-Core) |
| Threads | 48 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | 3 GHz | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 4.2 GHz | 3.73 GHz |
| Bus rate | 4 × 8 GT/s | 6400 MHz |
| Multiplier | 30 | no data |
| L1 cache | 96K (per core) | no data |
| L2 cache | 512K (per core) | no data |
| L3 cache | 64 MB | no data |
| Chip lithography | 12 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | 213 mm2 | no data |
| Number of transistors | 19,200 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE 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) | no data |
| Socket | Socket TR4 | LGA-1366 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 250 Watt | 130 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE. 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 Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | - |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4 Quad-channel | no data |
| Maximum memory size | 2 TiB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 93.867 GB/s | no data |
| 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.
Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core
Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.
Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core
Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.
3DMark06 CPU
3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.
wPrime 32
wPrime 32M is a math multi-thread processor test, which calculates square roots of first 32 million integer numbers. Its result is measured in seconds, so that the less is benchmark result, the faster the processor.
Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core
Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 19.34 | 4.17 |
| Physical cores | 24 | 6 |
| Threads | 48 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 12 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 250 Watt | 130 Watt |
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has a 363.8% higher aggregate performance score, 300% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 166.7% more advanced lithography process.
i7-990X EE, on the other hand, has 92.3% lower power consumption.
The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-990X EE in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Core i7-990X EE, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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