AMD EPYC 72F3 vs Intel Core i9-9960X Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core i9-9960X wins every single head-to-head benchmark against the AMD EPYC 72F3. Across six Cinebench tests, the Intel part holds a consistent 8.4% to 8.5% advantage in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The win tally stands at 6-0, with no benchmark where the EPYC 72F3 takes the lead. This makes the i9-9960X the outright performance winner in this matchup, regardless of workload type.

However, the choice is not about raw speed alone. The EPYC 72F3 is a server/workstation processor with an eight-channel memory bus, 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, ECC memory support, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The i9-9960X is a desktop part with a quad-channel bus, 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, no ECC support, and 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The data indicates that the EPYC is designed for memory-intensive server tasks, while the i9 is built for desktop compute. If the priority is peak Cinebench scores, the i9-9960X wins. If the priority is platform capability, specifically memory bandwidth, PCIe expansion, and ECC, the EPYC 72F3 is the only option that offers those features.

The average benchmark scores in the database align closely. The i9-9960X posts an average benchmark score of 6938, while the EPYC 72F3 sits at 6700. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (0.1% delta) and the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 (-0.4% delta), which shows how its average score clusters in that range. For the EPYC, the nearest rival is the Intel Xeon Gold 5317 (-0.1% delta). Both processors sit near the 62nd to 63rd percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a top-tier outlier in the broader database, but within this direct comparison, the Intel chip holds a decisive edge.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The Intel Core i9-9960X is built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 484 mm², while the AMD EPYC 72F3 uses TSMC's 7 nm node with eight chiplets, each measuring 81 mm². The EPYC 72F3 packs 33,200 million transistors across those chiplets, a figure the database does not list for the Intel part. The i9-9960X uses the Skylake-X architecture, and the EPYC 72F3 uses Zen 3, codenamed Milan.

Core counts differ significantly. The Intel chip has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the EPYC has 8 cores and 16 threads. The EPYC compensates with a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 22 MB for the Intel part. Per-core L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core, but L2 differs: the i9 has 1 MB per core, while the EPYC has 512 KB per core. Clock speeds favor Intel on boost (4.50 GHz vs. 4.10 GHz) and favor AMD on base (3.70 GHz vs. 3.10 GHz). The EPYC has a higher TDP at 180 watts, while the i9 is rated at 165 watts.

Memory architecture is a major divergence. The EPYC supports eight-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, while the i9-9960X supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the EPYC but not on the Intel chip. PCIe capability also differs: the EPYC provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the i9 provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The EPYC is a server/EPYC processor on Socket SP3, and the i9 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 2066. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the EPYC is locked. Production status also differs: the i9 is end-of-life, and the EPYC is active.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the Intel Core i9-9960X wins every compute workload tested. It is faster in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core modes. The deltas are consistent, 8.4% or 8.5%, which suggests the performance gap is uniform rather than workload-specific. For any task that relies on Cinebench-style rendering, the i9-9960X is the stronger choice.

The AMD EPYC 72F3 does not win any of the recorded benchmarks, but it wins on platform features. Its eight-channel memory bus provides 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, which is more than double the Intel's 85.3 GB/s. This matters for memory-bound server workloads, even though the database does not include such tests. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in server environments. Its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes enable massive I/O expansion, far beyond the 44 Gen 3 lanes of the i9. The EPYC also has a larger L3 cache (256 MB vs. 22 MB), which can benefit certain server workloads with large working sets. The EPYC is an active product, while the i9 is end-of-life, so availability and long-term support favor the AMD part.

For desktop users focused on raw single-threaded or multi-threaded Cinebench performance, the i9-9960X is the clear winner. For server administrators requiring ECC, high memory bandwidth, and extensive PCIe connectivity, the EPYC 72F3 offers capabilities the Intel chip simply does not have.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-9960X scores 3546, while the AMD EPYC 72F3 scores 3270, a difference of 8.4% in favor of Intel.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 72F3 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the EPYC 72F3 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-9960X does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The EPYC 72F3 provides 204.8 GB/s via an eight-channel memory bus, while the i9-9960X provides 85.3 GB/s via a quad-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-9960X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD EPYC 72F3 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: In how many recorded benchmarks does the EPYC 72F3 win?

A: None. The i9-9960X wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 8.4% to 8.5%.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each processor?

A: The EPYC 72F3 has 256 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i9-9960X has 22 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9960X scores 2532 against the EPYC's 2334, a win of 8.5%. The single-core R15 result is similar: 357 vs. 329, also an 8.5% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Intel part scores 10550 multi-core and 1489 single-core, while the EPYC scores 9728 and 1373, respectively, with an 8.4% delta in both. Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: the i9-9960X posts 25120 multi-core and 3546 single-core, while the EPYC posts 23164 and 3270, again an 8.4% delta.

The consistency of the delta is notable. Across all six tests, the performance gap never narrows below 8.4% or widens beyond 8.5%. This indicates a stable architectural advantage for the Intel part in these workloads, not a benchmark-specific quirk. The i9-9960X also has an average benchmark score of 6938, compared to 6700 for the EPYC, a difference of 238 points. In the database, the i9-9960X's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2195 (0.7% delta) and the Intel Core i5-3470 (0.5% delta), while the EPYC's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon Gold 5317 (-0.1% delta). The Intel chip's average score is not far from the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (0.1% delta), which shows that its overall average is pulled down by the single-core Geekbench score of 1396, a result the database does not list for the EPYC.

The largest single-test margin is 8.5%, seen in both Cinebench R15 tests. The smallest margin is 8.4%, seen in all R20 and R23 tests. There is no test where the EPYC comes close to matching the Intel part. The data supports a conclusion of consistent, repeatable performance advantage for the i9-9960X in Cinebench workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every key specification. Core count: 16 cores and 32 threads for Intel, 8 cores and 16 threads for AMD. Base clock: 3.10 GHz for Intel, 3.70 GHz for AMD. Boost clock: 4.50 GHz for Intel, 4.10 GHz for AMD. TDP: 165 watts for Intel, 180 watts for AMD. Process node: 14 nm for Intel, 7 nm for AMD. Die size: 484 mm² for Intel, 8x 81 mm² for AMD. Transistor count: not listed for Intel, 33,200 million for AMD.

Cache hierarchy differs as well. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. L2 cache is 1 MB per core for Intel and 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 cache is 22 MB shared for Intel and 256 MB shared for AMD. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the memory bus is quad-channel for Intel and eight-channel for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 85.3 GB/s for Intel and 204.8 GB/s for AMD. ECC support is false for Intel and true for AMD. PCIe is Gen 3 with 44 lanes for Intel, and Gen 4 with 128 lanes for AMD.

Socket types differ: Intel Socket 2066 for the i9-9960X, AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC. The market segment is Desktop for Intel and Server/Workstation for AMD. Production status is end-of-life for Intel and active for AMD. The multiplier is unlocked on Intel and locked on AMD. The launch MSRP is $1684 for Intel and $2468 for AMD. Neither processor has integrated graphics. The release dates are October 2018 for Intel and March 2021 for AMD. The Intel part number is SREZ4, while the AMD part number is 100-000000327100-100000327WOF.