AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X vs Intel Core i9-9900 Comparison

Intel Core i9-9900 and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X are both 8-core, 16-thread desktop processors, but they deliver their performance in very different ways. The Intel part relies on a high 5.00 GHz boost clock and a 65W TDP, while the AMD chip counters with a 12nm process and a lower 4.10 GHz boost. Benchmark results show a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X dominates every Cinebench test, while the Intel Core i9-9900 wins decisively in both Geekbench tests. The data reveals a processor that is better for sustained rendering workloads versus one that excels in specific single-threaded and memory-sensitive tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900 has a higher average benchmark score of 4163, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X's 4114. This puts the Intel part 1.2% ahead of the AMD chip in the aggregate.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X wins this test with a score of 14415, which is 6.3% higher than the Intel Core i9-9900's score of 13509.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-9900 win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-9900 wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 8175 in Geekbench multicore and 1687 in Geekbench singlecore, beating the AMD chip by 23% and 34.3% respectively.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Intel chip boosts 0.9 GHz higher.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i9-9900's multiplier is locked.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-9900 does not have ECC support.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i9-9900 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-R, manufactured on a 14 nm process at Intel. Its die size is 180.3 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X uses the Zen architecture (Zen+ Pinnacle Ridge), built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a larger die size of 192 mm² and a massive 4,800 million transistors.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Intel chip allocates 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The AMD chip has larger per-core caches: 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, also with a shared 16 MB L3 cache. This larger per-core cache on the AMD side may contribute to its consistent lead in Cinebench workloads.

Feature sets show a stark contrast. The Intel Core i9-9900 includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has no integrated graphics at all. The AMD chip supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the Intel chip lacks ECC support and has a locked multiplier. The processors also use different sockets, with Intel on Socket 1151 and AMD on Socket AM4. The Intel part provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD part's PCIe configuration is not listed.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of workload-specific strengths. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X wins six out of eight head-to-head benchmarks, and all of its victories come in the Cinebench suite. This includes R15, R20, and R23 in both multicore and singlecore variants. The data shows the AMD chip is consistently 5.9% to 6.3% faster than the Intel chip across all Cinebench tests. This suggests a strong advantage in rendering and 3D modeling tasks that rely on the Cinebench engine.

The Intel Core i9-9900 wins the two Geekbench tests, and it wins them by a wide margin. Its 8175 multicore score is 23% higher than the AMD chip's 6645, and its 1687 singlecore score is 34.3% higher than the AMD's 1256. These results indicate that the Intel processor excels in the specific workloads that Geekbench measures, which often include cryptography, compression, and memory-intensive operations. The Intel chip's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz likely plays a role in these wins.

For a user deciding between these two, the choice depends on the primary application. If the workload is heavily Cinebench-based, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is the clear winner. If the workload involves tasks more representative of Geekbench, the Intel Core i9-9900 has a significant edge.

Specification Differences

• Manufacturer: Intel vs. AMD
• Base Clock: 3.10 GHz (Intel) vs. 3.60 GHz (AMD)
• Boost Clock: 5.00 GHz (Intel) vs. 4.10 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 65 W (Intel) vs. 95 W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151 vs. AMD Socket AM4
• Process Node: 14 nm (Intel) vs. 12 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel vs. GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: Not listed (Intel) vs. 4,800 million (AMD)
• Die Size: 180.3 mm² (Intel) vs. 192 mm² (AMD)
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core (Intel) vs. 96 KB per core (AMD)
• L2 Cache: 256 KB per core (Intel) vs. 512 KB per core (AMD)
• Memory Bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s (Intel) vs. Not listed (AMD)
• ECC Memory: False (Intel) vs. True (AMD)
• PCIe: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (Intel) vs. Not listed (AMD)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 630 (Intel) vs. None (AMD)
• Production Status: End-of-life (Intel) vs. Active (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: $423 (Intel) vs. Not listed (AMD)
• Multiplier Unlocked: False (Intel) vs. True (AMD)

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Geekbench singlecore test. The Intel Core i9-9900 scores 1687, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X scores 1256, giving Intel a 34.3% advantage. This is the largest delta in any test and highlights a massive single-thread performance gap in this specific benchmark.

In Geekbench multicore, the Intel chip continues its dominance, scoring 8175 against the AMD's 6645, a 23% lead. This is notable because both processors have the same core and thread count, yet Intel manages a substantial advantage in this workload.

The Cinebench results are the mirror image. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X scores 1452 versus Intel's 1361, a 6.3% win for AMD. The singlecore R15 test shows AMD ahead as well, 204 versus 192, a 5.9% margin. The pattern holds for R20 and R23. In R20 multicore, AMD scores 6054 against Intel's 5673; in R20 singlecore, AMD scores 854 against Intel's 800. Both are 6.3% wins for AMD. The R23 results are consistent, with AMD winning multicore 14415 to 13509 and singlecore 2035 to 1907, each by 6.3%.

The overall record is 6 wins for the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X and 2 wins for the Intel Core i9-9900. However, the magnitude of Intel's wins is much larger. Intel's average Geekbench delta is roughly 28.65%, while AMD's average Cinebench delta is about 6.2%. This means that while AMD wins more tests, Intel wins the tests it does win by a much larger margin.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear, if split, verdict. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is the better choice for Cinebench-based rendering workloads. It wins all six Cinebench tests, and its margins, while consistent at around 6%, are reliable across every version of the benchmark. The AMD chip also offers ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier, making it a more flexible platform for professional builds where data integrity and overclocking are priorities. Its active production status also suggests it is more readily available than the end-of-life Intel part.

The Intel Core i9-9900 is the pick for Geekbench-heavy applications. Its wins in Geekbench multicore and singlecore are decisive, with leads of 23% and 34.3% respectively. The Intel chip also has a significantly higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and a lower TDP of 65W, which may be attractive for builds where power consumption is a concern. It includes integrated graphics, which can be a lifesaver for troubleshooting or for systems without a discrete GPU.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story of near-parity, with Intel leading 4163 to 4114, a 1.2% gap. This is a small difference, but it aligns with the Intel chip's wins in the average-tilted Geekbench tests. For a user who prioritizes Cinebench performance, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is the clear winner. For a user whose software stack is more aligned with Geekbench, the Intel Core i9-9900 offers a substantial performance advantage. The final choice hinges entirely on which benchmark suite better represents the user's actual workload.