AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a split picture between these two AMD processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons, taking 11 of the 15 recorded tests, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX wins the remaining 4. However, the magnitude of the wins tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Threadripper PRO 9945WX’s most dramatic victories come in the Cinebench single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 6822 against the Ryzen 9 9950X’s 2202, which is a massive 209.8% advantage. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Threadripper scores 687 versus 344, a 99.7% lead. These are not small margins; they represent a fundamental difference in how the two chips perform under single-threaded Cinebench workloads.

The Threadripper also shows strength in the PassMark physics test, scoring 6118 against the Ryzen 9’s 3279, a 86.6% advantage. Its final win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 48325 versus 40924, a 18.1% lead. This multi-core result is notable because the Ryzen 9 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Threadripper has only 12 cores and 24 threads.

Despite the core count disadvantage, the Threadripper manages to lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, suggesting a significant per-core performance advantage in this specific workload. However, this advantage does not carry over to the other multi-threaded tests. The Ryzen 9 9950X dominates in the PassMark suite, with wins in data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, find prime numbers, random string sorting, and the overall multi-thread score.

The Ryzen 9’s lead in PassMark data compression is particularly large at 896544 versus 671963, a delta of -25% from the Threadripper’s perspective. In floating point math, it scores 159063 against the Threadripper’s 111566, a 29.9% advantage. Integer math shows a 23.4% lead for the Ryzen 9, and extended instructions are 24% ahead. The gap narrows in PassMark multithread, where the Ryzen 9 scores 66030 versus 56854, a 13.9% edge.

The single-thread PassMark test is close, with the Ryzen 9 winning 4737 versus 4573, a 3.5% margin. The prime numbers test is even closer, with the Ryzen 9 winning 345 to 335, a 2.9% delta. The Ryzen 9 also wins random string sorting 94368 to 84498, a 10.5% advantage.

The data shows a clear split: the Threadripper PRO 9945WX delivers exceptional results in the Cinebench suite, especially single-core, and in the physics simulation test. The Ryzen 9 9950X dominates the broader PassMark workload set, suggesting better overall throughput in general-purpose compute tasks despite its lower core count.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX scores 6822, which is 209.8% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X’s score of 2202.

Q: Does the 12-core Threadripper outperform the 16-core Ryzen 9 in multi-core tests?

A: It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 48325 versus 40924, a 18.1% lead. However, in the PassMark multithread test, the Ryzen 9 wins with 66030 against 56854, a 13.9% edge.

Q: What is the difference in the PassMark physics test?

A: The Threadripper PRO 9945WX scores 6118, while the Ryzen 9 9950X scores 3279. This gives the Threadripper a 86.6% advantage in this specific workload.

Q: How do the processors compare in data compression?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X wins PassMark data compression with 896544, against the Threadripper’s 671963. This is a 25% deficit for the Threadripper.

Q: Are the single-thread PassMark scores similar?

A: Yes, they are close. The Ryzen 9 9950X scores 4737 and the Threadripper PRO 9945WX scores 4573, a 3.5% difference in favor of the Ryzen 9.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Threadripper PRO 9945WX has a higher average benchmark score of 76513, compared to 74640 for the Ryzen 9 9950X. This places the Threadripper in 95th percentile vs 94th for the Ryzen 9.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data suggests distinct use-case strengths for each processor. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the clear winner in scenarios that heavily favor Cinebench rendering and simulation. Its Cinebench R23 single-core and multi-core wins, along with its PassMark physics performance, point to a processor that excels in tasks like 3D modeling, physics simulation, and perhaps CAD.

The 18.1% multi-core lead in Cinebench R23 is a strong indicator for render workloads that use that benchmark’s engine. The staggering 209.8% single-core lead suggests that for applications that rely heavily on one thread, the Threadripper PRO has a massive advantage. The physics test, which is often related to game physics or simulation, also shows a 86.6% lead, indicating strong performance in that specific domain.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the winner in nearly every other recorded workload. It dominates the PassMark suite, specifically data compression, encryption, floating point, integer math, extended instructions, and random string sorting. This makes it the better choice for a wide range of general and content creation tasks, including file compression, data encryption, scientific computing with floating point math, and general programming tasks.

Its 13.9% lead in the PassMark multithread test is also significant, suggesting better all-around multi-threaded performance outside of the Cinebench suite. The Ryzen 9’s wins in the close single-thread PassMark tests (a 3.5% edge) and prime number finding (2.9% edge) indicate a well-rounded processor that handles a variety of tasks efficiently. For a user doing a mix of work, the Ryzen 9 9950X offers a wider array of wins.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is the core and thread count. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. This is a 4-core and 8-thread difference in favor of the Ryzen 9.

The clock speeds also differ, with the Threadripper PRO having a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Ryzen 9 9950X has a lower base clock of 4.30 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The TDP reflects a major split: the Threadripper is rated at 350W, while the Ryzen 9 is rated at 170W.

The sockets are entirely different. The Threadripper PRO uses the AMD Socket sTR5, while the Ryzen 9 uses the AMD Socket AM5. The integrated graphics also differ, with the Threadripper having no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen 9 includes Radeon Graphics.

The memory support and bus are also distinct. The Threadripper supports eight-channel memory with a bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, while the Ryzen 9 is dual-channel with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The PCIe lane count is also a significant difference: the Threadripper has 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Ryzen 9 has 24 lanes. The market segment is different as well, with the Threadripper being a Server/Workstation product and the Ryzen 9 being a Desktop product.

Architecture Differences

While both processors are based on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture and are built on the same 4nm process at TSMC, they are codenamed differently. The Threadripper PRO 9945WX is codenamed Shimada Peak, while the Ryzen 9 9950X is codenamed Granite Ridge. They are also both in the 9000 series.

The cache structure shows differences. The Threadripper has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, while the Ryzen 9 has 80 KB per core. Both have 1 MB L2 cache per core and a 64 MB L3 cache. The memory support for both is DDR5, and both support ECC memory, which is a feature often associated with workstation and server tasks.

The Threadripper’s memory bus is eight-channel, while the Ryzen 9 is dual-channel. This leads to a massive difference in memory bandwidth: 409.6 GB/s for the Threadripper versus 89.6 GB/s for the Ryzen 9. The Threadripper’s architecture is tailored for the workstation segment, with a much larger number of PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) and a higher TDP (350W vs 170W) to support it.

The Ryzen 9 has a smaller TDP and a desktop focus, with an integrated GPU, which the Threadripper lacks. Both have 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², indicating they are composed of two chiplets on the same process node.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear choice based on workload. For users who prioritize single-core performance in Cinebench and physics simulation, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the clear winner. Its 209.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 86.6% lead in the PassMark physics test are not just marginal wins. They are dominant, making it a specialized tool for those workloads.

Its 18.1% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core also shows that it can handle multi-threaded rendering tasks well, despite having fewer cores. It also has a higher average benchmark score (76513) and a higher percentile rank (95th) compared to the Ryzen 9’s 94th percentile, suggesting that its specialized strengths are highly valued in the database’s overall scoring. The Ryzen 9 9950X is the better choice for a wider array of workloads. It wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head tests, including all the PassMark data tests. It is the superior processor for data compression, encryption, math workloads, and general-purpose computing.

If the workload involves rendering with Cinebench or physics simulation, the Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the better pick. The Ryzen 9 9950X is the more versatile processor for a broad range of tasks, offering a higher core count, a higher boost clock, and better performance in the majority of the recorded benchmarks. The Threadripper’s 8-channel memory and 128 PCIe lanes are a significant feature for workstation tasks, but the benchmark data shows that the Ryzen 9’s higher core count and faster clock speeds are more effective for the tested workloads. Choose the Threadripper for its specific peak strengths, and the Ryzen 9 for its all-around dominance.