AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X occupy opposite ends of the compute spectrum. The P164 is a low-power, mobile-oriented part designed for efficiency and single-thread responsiveness, while the 9960X is a high-core-count desktop workstation processor built for massive parallel throughput. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear division: the P164 delivers its wins in latency-sensitive, single-threaded workloads, whereas the 9960X dominates in multi-threaded and memory-bandwidth-bound scenarios.

The P164 achieves a PassMark single-thread score of 4029, which places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database. That percentile figure indicates strong per-core performance for its class. In contrast, the Threadripper 9960X has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, meaning its wins are inferred from its architectural specifications rather than measured results. The 9960X does have a 50th percentile ranking, which is neutral given the absence of benchmark data.

The P164's wins come from its efficient Zen 5 / Zen 5c hybrid core design. With a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, it can ramp quickly for bursty workloads. The 9960X, with a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, should exceed the P164 in raw single-thread speed. However, the P164's integrated Radeon 880M graphics give it an advantage in tasks that benefit from a built-in GPU, while the 9960X has no integrated graphics at all.

For multi-threaded workloads, the 9960X is the clear choice based on core count alone. It has 24 cores and 48 threads versus the P164's 8 cores and 16 threads. The 9960X also has 128 MB of L3 cache versus 8 MB on the P164, and its quad-channel memory bus delivers 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth compared to the P164's dual-channel 89.6 GB/s. These specifications translate directly to wins in rendering, compilation, simulation, and other parallel tasks.

The P164 wins in power-constrained and mobile scenarios. Its 28-watt TDP is a fraction of the 9960X's 350-watt TDP, making it suitable for embedded systems and laptops. The 9960X, by contrast, targets desktop workstations where power draw and cooling are less constrained.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a common Zen 5 foundation but diverge significantly in implementation. The P164 uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation, which combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The 9960X, codenamed Shimada Peak, uses pure Zen 5 cores and belongs to the 9000 series of Ryzen Threadripper processors. Both are manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC.

The core counts differ by a factor of three: 8 cores and 16 threads for the P164 versus 24 cores and 48 threads for the 9960X. The L1 cache also differs, with the P164 offering 80 KB per core and the 9960X offering 64 KB per core. Both share a 1 MB per-core L2 cache, but the L3 cache is vastly different: 8 MB total on the P164 versus 128 MB on the 9960X. The 9960X uses a chiplet design with four dies, each measuring 70.6 mm², totaling 33,260 million transistors. The P164 uses a monolithic 233 mm² die with no transistor count listed.

Memory support marks another major divergence. The P164 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory over a dual-channel bus, while the 9960X supports only DDR5 over a quad-channel bus. The memory bandwidth figures reflect this: 89.6 GB/s for the P164 and 204.8 GB/s for the 9960X. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is also different. The P164 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 9960X provides PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only). This gives the 9960X a substantial advantage in expansion capacity and I/O throughput. The P164 includes integrated Radeon 880M graphics, whereas the 9960X has no integrated graphics solution, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

The sockets differ as well: the P164 uses AMD Socket FP8, a mobile platform, while the 9960X uses AMD Socket sTR5, a workstation platform. The multiplier is locked on the P164 but unlocked on the 9960X, allowing overclocking on the latter. The 9960X carries part number 100-000001595, while the P164's part number is listed as unknown.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors. The winsA and winsB fields both show zero, and the headToHeadBenchmarks array is empty. This means any comparison must rely on the P164's individual benchmark scores and the 9960X's architectural specifications.

The P164's recorded benchmark results show its strengths and weaknesses. In PassMark data compression, it scores 327891, a strong result for a mobile processor. Data encryption yields 16055, and extended instructions score 24193. Integer math reaches 87940, while floating-point math scores 55799. Random string sorting produces 34801. The multithread score is 25889, and the physics test yields 1210. Find prime numbers scores a modest 71.

The single-thread score of 4029 is the most relevant point of comparison against the 9960X. Given that the 9960X has a higher boost clock (5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz) and a higher base clock (4.20 GHz versus 2.00 GHz), it is reasonable to expect the 9960X to exceed the P164 in single-thread performance. The P164's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F with an average score of 52873 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Xeon 634 at 52974 with a delta of -0.1%, the AMD EPYC 7313P at 53206 with a delta of -0.6%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X at 53288 with a delta of -0.7%. These deltas are all within 1% of the P164's average benchmark score of 52901, indicating that the P164 is tightly clustered with these mainstream processors in overall performance.

The 9960X has no benchmark scores recorded, so its average benchmark score is 0 and its nearest rivals list is empty. The comparison therefore rests on specifications: triple the cores, 16 times the L3 cache, more than double the memory bandwidth, and a significantly higher power envelope.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Threadripper 9960X has 128 MB of L3 cache, whereas the Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has 8 MB.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The Threadripper 9960X supports PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen AI Embedded P164 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 includes Radeon 880M integrated graphics. The Threadripper 9960X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Threadripper 9960X delivers 204.8 GB/s over a quad-channel DDR5 bus. The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 delivers 89.6 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X bus.

Q: What are the TDP values?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has a TDP of 28 watts. The Threadripper 9960X has a TDP of 350 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X |

|---|---|---|

| Series | null | 9000 series |

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 16 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 350 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket sTR5 |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Shimada Peak |

| Generation | Ryzen AI Embedded (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 5) |

| Transistors | null | 33,260 million |

| Die Size | 233 mm² | 4x 70.6 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 128 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 80 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 880M | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2025-07-29 |

| Launch MSRP | null | $1499 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Part Number | unknown | 100-000001595 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 91 | 50 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 52901 | 0 |