i7-6900K vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
2020
64 cores / 128 threads, 280 Watt
50.29
+452%
Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X outperforms Core i7-6900K by a whopping 452% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking34842
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation9.711.04
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen Threadripperno data
Power efficiency16.996.15
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Broadwell-E (2016)
Release date7 February 2020 (4 years ago)31 May 2016 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$3,999$1,020

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has 834% better value for money than i7-6900K.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K 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 cores64 (Tetrahexaconta-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads12816
Base clock speed2.9 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.3 GHz4 GHz
Multiplier29no data
L1 cache96K (per core)32 KB (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache256 MB20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm14 nm
Die size74 mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)95 °C72 °C
Number of transistors3,800 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K 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 configuration11
SocketTR4FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt140 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Smart Responseno data+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Precision Boost 2+no data

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-3200DDR4
Maximum memory size256 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K.

PCIe version4.03.0
PCI Express lanesno data40

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 50.29
+452%
i7-6900K 9.11

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 79889
+452%
i7-6900K 14470

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 1623
+26.3%
i7-6900K 1285

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 14204
+97.4%
i7-6900K 7196

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 50.29 9.11
Recency 7 February 2020 31 May 2016
Physical cores 64 8
Threads 128 16
Chip lithography 7 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 140 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has a 452% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 700% more physical cores and 700% more threads, and a 100% more advanced lithography process.

i7-6900K, on the other hand, has 100% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6900K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-6900K, 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.


AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K

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.


3 1119 votes

Rate Ryzen Threadripper 3990X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.7 114 votes

Rate Core i7-6900K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Ryzen Threadripper 3990X or Core i7-6900K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.