i7-3960X vs Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX outperforms i7-3960X by a whopping 281% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 266 | 1148 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 5.12 | 0.40 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | Core i7 (Desktop) |
| Architecture codename | Zen+ (2018−2019) | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) |
| Release date | 6 August 2018 (6 years ago) | 14 November 2011 (12 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,799 | $861 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 1180% better value for money than i7-3960X.
Detailed specifications
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X 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 | 32 (Dotriaconta-Core) | 6 (Hexa-Core) |
| Threads | 64 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | 3 GHz | 3.3 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| Bus rate | 4 × 8 GT/s | 5 GT/s |
| Multiplier | 30 | no data |
| L1 cache | 3 MB | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 16 MB | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 64 MB | 15 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 12 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | 213 mm2 | 435 mm2 |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | no data | 67 °C |
| Number of transistors | 19200 Million | 2,270 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X 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 | 1 (Uniprocessor) | 1 |
| Socket | Socket TR4 | FCLGA2011 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 250 Watt | 130 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | no data | Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX |
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | no data | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | no data | 2.0 |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
| Idle States | no data | + |
| Thermal Monitoring | - | + |
| Smart Response | no data | + |
| Demand Based Switching | no data | - |
| Status | no data | Discontinued |
| Precision Boost 2 | + | no data |
Security technologies
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | - |
| EDB | no data | + |
| Identity Protection | - | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | - |
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
| EPT | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4 Quad-channel | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | 2 TiB | 64 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 93.867 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X.
| PCIe version | no data | 2.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 40 |
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.
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 20.86 | 5.48 |
| Recency | 6 August 2018 | 14 November 2011 |
| Physical cores | 32 | 6 |
| Threads | 64 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 12 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 250 Watt | 130 Watt |
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has a 280.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, 433.3% more physical cores and 433.3% more threads, and a 166.7% more advanced lithography process.
i7-3960X, on the other hand, has 92.3% lower power consumption.
The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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