AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X records an average benchmark score of 279778, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 scores 62839. The Threadripper sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 93rd percentile for the embedded part.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Threadripper 9970X leads in PassMark multithread by 70.4%, scoring 107399 versus 31817. This is the smallest margin among all the multi-core oriented tests, yet still represents a substantial advantage for the 32-core part.

Q: Does the embedded P185 have any integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 includes a Radeon 890M integrated GPU. The Threadripper 9970X has no integrated graphics (N/A), meaning a discrete GPU is required for display output.

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

A: The Threadripper 9970X supports quad-channel DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, while the embedded P185 uses dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s. This represents a 128.6% higher bandwidth figure for the Threadripper.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Threadripper 9970X boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the embedded P185 reaches 5.10 GHz. The single-thread benchmark reflects this, with the Threadripper scoring 4530 versus 3977, a 12.2% difference.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X list a production status of "Active". The embedded part has a release date of February 28, 2026, while the Threadripper was released on July 29, 2025.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a common 4 nm TSMC fabrication node but diverge sharply in almost every other architectural aspect. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads in an AMD Socket FP8 package, with a die size of 233 mm². The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X, codenamed Shimada Peak, is a pure Zen 5 design in the 9000 series, also on 4 nm TSMC, but it uses a multi-chiplet layout with four dies of 70.6 mm² each, totaling 33,260 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The embedded P185 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Threadripper 9970X uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 128 MB of L3. This eightfold increase in last-level cache directly supports the Threadripper's capacity for large working sets in server-class workloads.

The embedded processor is designed for mobile applications, with a 28 W TDP, while the Threadripper targets desktop workstations with a 350 W TDP. The Threadripper also has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the embedded part is locked. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the embedded P185 offers Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Threadripper provides Gen 5 with 80 CPU lanes, a substantial expansion for high-bandwidth peripherals and multi-GPU configurations.

Memory architecture reinforces the Threadripper's workstation positioning. It supports quad-channel DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X support on the embedded part with 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, but the Threadripper's wider memory bus and higher bandwidth are critical for memory-intensive compute tasks. The embedded P185 compensates with integrated Radeon 890M graphics, a feature the Threadripper entirely lacks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Across all eleven recorded PassMark tests, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins every single comparison. The most decisive victory comes in extended instructions, where the Threadripper scores 142342 against 26544 for the embedded P185, a delta of 81.4%. This test measures optimized instruction sets and heavily favors the Threadripper's higher core count and full Zen 5 implementation.

Data compression shows a similar pattern, with the Threadripper scoring 1757998 versus 374429, a 78.7% advantage. Random string sorting also falls in the Threadripper's favor by 78.8%, with scores of 191445 and 40557 respectively. These results indicate that the Threadripper's 32 cores and 64 threads process parallelizable data tasks far more efficiently than the 12-core, 24-thread embedded chip.

The encryption workload follows the same trend, with the Threadripper at 86765 and the embedded part at 19612, a 77.4% gap. Floating-point math shows a 77.2% difference (309719 versus 70587), while integer math is closer but still heavily favored, 465378 versus 117832, a 74.7% margin. The prime number finding test yields a 79% advantage for the Threadripper (615 versus 129), and physics simulation shows a 74.1% gap (6835 versus 1772).

The smallest delta appears in the multithread test, where the Threadripper leads by 70.4% with 107399 against 31817. Interestingly, the single-thread scores show the narrowest overall gap at 12.2%, with the Threadripper posting 4530 versus 3977. This suggests that per-core performance is closer between the two architectures, and the massive multi-core advantages come primarily from core count and cache size rather than single-thread efficiency. The wins count stands at 0 for the embedded P185 and 11 for the Threadripper 9970X.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X |

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

| Cores | 12 | 32 |

| Threads | 24 | 64 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 350 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket sTR5 |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Shimada Peak |

| Die Size | 233 mm² | 4x 70.6 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 16 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 | Gen 5, 80 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 890M | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 33,260 million |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $2499 |

The base clock difference is substantial, with the Threadripper starting at 4.00 GHz versus 2.00 GHz for the embedded part. The Threadripper's 32-core count gives it 166.7% more cores than the embedded chip's 12. The Threadripper also has a higher boost clock by 0.30 GHz, an unlocked multiplier, and a far larger L3 cache. The embedded part uniquely offers LPDDR5X memory support and integrated graphics, while the Threadripper provides PCIe Gen 5 with five times the lane count and quad-channel memory.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins in every measured benchmark category, making it the clear choice for applications that demand maximum parallel throughput. Its 32 cores, 64 threads, 128 MB of L3 cache, and 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth position it for heavy compute workloads such as 3D rendering, scientific simulation, video encoding, and large-scale data processing. The 81.4% lead in extended instructions and 78.7% lead in data compression specifically point to workloads that exploit AVX-style instruction sets and high-bandwidth data streams. The unlocked multiplier and 350 W TDP also allow sustained operation at high clock speeds for prolonged compute sessions.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, despite losing all head-to-head comparisons, has distinct advantages outside raw performance. Its integrated Radeon 890M graphics eliminates the need for a separate GPU in many embedded applications, saving space and power. The 28 W TDP makes it suitable for power-constrained environments where the Threadripper's 350 W draw would be impractical. Its support for LPDDR5X memory and mobile socket design target compact, fanless or low-noise systems. The 12.2% single-thread gap shows that in lightly threaded tasks, the embedded chip remains competitive, and its 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs demonstrates that it is far from a low-performance option.

The Threadripper 9970X dominates in any scenario where wall-clock time matters and power consumption is secondary. The embedded P185 wins in scenarios prioritizing power efficiency, physical footprint, and integrated functionality. The data shows no overlap in these usage profiles: the Threadripper addresses workstation and server-class needs, while the embedded part serves mobile and edge deployments. For users who need both high core counts and low power, no single part in this comparison satisfies both constraints, but the two processors together cover opposite ends of the AMD embedded-to-workstation spectrum.