AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the dominant performer in this comparison, with a benchmark score average of 321,753 points, placing it in the 99th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores in the database and sits at the 50th percentile, making it an unmeasurable entity for performance ranking. The Threadripper 9980X carries a launch MSRP of $4999, while the AI Max PRO 490 has no launch MSRP recorded.

The data indicates that the Threadripper 9980X is designed for high-throughput workloads, with 64 cores, 128 threads, and a 350 TDP. The AI Max PRO 490 is a mobile part with 12 cores, 24 threads, and a 55 TDP, targeting power-constrained environments. The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: the Threadripper 9980X dominates every metric in the database where measurements exist, while the AI Max PRO 490 has no performance scores to compare.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a Zen 5 architecture lineage but diverge significantly in implementation. The AI Max PRO 490 uses the Gorgon Halo codename, belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation (Zen 5), and is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 12 cores, 24 threads, 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The die size is listed as 2x 70.6 mm², and it uses the AMD Socket FP11. Memory support is LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus with 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth, and ECC memory is supported. The processor uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). It includes an integrated Radeon 8050S GPU and has a base clock of 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The multiplier is locked.

The Threadripper 9980X uses the Shimada Peak codename, belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 5 (Shimada Peak)) generation, and is also built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 64 cores, 128 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The die size is 8x 70.6 mm², with 66,520 million transistors. It uses the AMD Socket sTR5. Memory support is DDR5 over a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, and ECC memory is supported. The processor uses PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only) and has no integrated graphics. The base clock is 3.20 GHz, matching the AI Max PRO 490, but the boost clock is higher at 5.40 GHz. The multiplier is unlocked.

The process node is identical at 4 nm for both, and both use TSMC as the foundry. The Threadripper 9980X has four times the cores and threads, four times the L3 cache, and four times the die area (8x 70.6 mm² versus 2x 70.6 mm²). The AI Max PRO 490 offers higher memory bandwidth at 273.1 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s, which reflects its LPDDR5X memory type. The Threadripper 9980X supports newer PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes, while the AI Max PRO 490 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark comparisons between these two processors. The AI Max PRO 490 has an empty benchmark array, meaning no Cinebench, PassMark, or other test scores are recorded for it. The Threadripper 9980X, however, has a full set of benchmark results across multiple test suites.

In Cinebench tests, the Threadripper 9980X scores 13,157 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 1,857 in Cinebench R15 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 54,822 multi-core and 7,739 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 130,529 multi-core and 18,427 single-core. These results demonstrate strong scaling across core counts, with multi-core scores roughly 7 to 10 times higher than single-core scores depending on the test version.

PassMark results for the Threadripper 9980X show data compression at 2,974,534, data encryption at 157,137, extended instructions at 228,959, find prime numbers at 769, floating point math at 559,003, integer math at 872,071, multithread at 141,641, physics at 8,001, random string sorting at 292,083, and single thread at 4,537. The average benchmark score is 321,753, and the percentile versus all CPUs is 99.

The nearest rivals to the Threadripper 9980X in the database are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX with an average score of 320,749 (a delta of 0.3 percent), the Intel Xeon 6781P with 315,524 (2 percent delta), the AMD EPYC 9575F with 311,774 (3.2 percent delta), and the AMD EPYC 9734 with 310,619 (3.6 percent delta). These deltas place the Threadripper 9980X at the top of its immediate competitive group, ahead by margins from 0.3 to 3.6 percent.

Since the AI Max PRO 490 has no benchmark scores, no direct win-loss tally can be computed. The winsA and winsB fields are both zero, confirming that no head-to-head measurements exist. The analysis must therefore treat the Threadripper 9980X as the only measured performer in this pairing.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 have any recorded benchmark scores?

A: No. The benchmark array for the AI Max PRO 490 is empty, and its average benchmark score is 0.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AI Max PRO 490 has 273.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth using LPDDR5X, while the Threadripper 9980X has 204.8 GB/s using DDR5. Both use a quad-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Threadripper 9980X boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the AI Max PRO 490 boosts to 5.00 GHz. Both have a base clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AI Max PRO 490 has a TDP of 55, and the Threadripper 9980X has a TDP of 350.

Q: Does the Threadripper 9980X have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics, while the AI Max PRO 490 includes a Radeon 8050S GPU.

Where Each One Wins

The Threadripper 9980X wins in every measured category in the database. It delivers 130,529 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is its highest multi-core score in the Cinebench series, and 18,427 in Cinebench R23 single-core. In PassMark tests, it shows particular strength in data compression (2,974,534) and integer math (872,071), while floating point math reaches 559,003. The multithread score of 141,641 and physics score of 8,001 further confirm its suitability for heavily threaded workloads. Its 99th percentile ranking and average score of 321,753 place it ahead of the Threadripper PRO 9985WX by 0.3 percent, the Xeon 6781P by 2 percent, the EPYC 9575F by 3.2 percent, and the EPYC 9734 by 3.6 percent.

The AI Max PRO 490 has no wins in the database because no benchmark results are recorded. Its strengths are architectural rather than measured. It has a 55 TDP, which is dramatically lower than the Threadripper 9980X's 350, and it includes an integrated Radeon 8050S GPU, making it a self-contained mobile package. The higher memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s and the smaller die size (2x 70.6 mm²) fit its mobile market segment. The PCIe Gen 4 interface with 16 lanes is sufficient for mobile use cases, while the Threadripper 9980X's PCIe Gen 5 with 80 lanes targets desktop workstation expansion.

The Threadripper 9980X is the only processor in this comparison with measurable performance data. Its 64 cores and 128 threads, combined with 256 MB of L3 cache and a 5.40 GHz boost clock, make it the clear choice for database-recorded multi-core workloads. The AI Max PRO 490, with no benchmark scores, cannot be ranked on performance. The data supports the Threadripper 9980X as the superior performer in every category where numbers exist, while the AI Max PRO 490 remains a low-power, mobile-oriented part with unmeasured capabilities.