AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 vs Intel Core i9-7920X Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the Intel Core i9-7920X and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 compare in core and thread counts?

A: Both processors feature 12 cores and 24 threads. The core and thread configuration is identical, making the comparison a matter of architecture and clock speeds rather than raw core count.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock, and what is the difference?

A: The Intel Core i9-7920X has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. This gives Intel a 0.60 GHz advantage in maximum turbo frequency.

Q: What is the performance percentile ranking for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i9-7920X sits in the 61st percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 sits in the 60th percentile. Both are near the median of the database, with Intel holding a very narrow overall edge.

Q: Which chip has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 provides 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-7920X provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). AMD offers 16 more lanes for expansion.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-7920X records an average benchmark score of 5673, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 records 5425. Intel's average score is roughly 4.6% higher based on the recorded data.

Q: Do both CPUs support quad-channel memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-7920X and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 support DDR4 memory on a quad-channel bus, with both listing a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-7920X is built on the Skylake-X architecture, using Intel's 14 nm process node. It is a monolithic die measuring 484 mm². The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 uses the Zen architecture (codename Whitehaven) on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, but it is a multi-chip design consisting of two 213 mm² dies, totaling 9,600 million transistors. The Intel chip does not list a transistor count in the database.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Intel Core i9-7920X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16.5 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 32 MB of L3 cache. That gives AMD nearly double the L3 capacity, which can be relevant for workloads with large working sets.

The socket situation is completely different. Intel uses Socket 2066, while AMD uses Socket SP3r2. Both are unlocked for overclocking, and both have a 140 W TDP. The Intel part's base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 4.40 GHz; the AMD part starts at 3.20 GHz but only boosts to 3.80 GHz. The Intel chip is listed as 7th generation Core i9 X-Series, while the AMD chip is 1st generation Threadripper (Zen Whitehaven).

Memory support is similar: both run DDR4 on a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. The PCIe configuration favors AMD with 60 Gen 3 lanes versus 44 on Intel. The Intel Core i9-7920X carries a launch MSRP of $1199; no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i9-7920X across all six Cinebench tests. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 6.6% to 6.8% in every discipline.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel scores 2015 against AMD's 1890, a 6.6% lead. The single-core R15 result is similar: 284 versus 266, a 6.8% advantage for Intel. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows 8396 for Intel and 7877 for AMD, again a 6.6% delta. The R20 single-core result is 1185 for Intel versus 1111 for AMD, a 6.7% gap.

Cinebench R23 multi-core gives Intel 19991 and AMD 18756, a 6.6% difference. The R23 single-core test has Intel at 2822 and AMD at 2647, also a 6.6% delta. Across the board, Intel wins by a nearly identical margin, which suggests the advantage is systemic rather than workload-specific.

The consistency of these results is notable. Whether the workload is single-threaded or heavily multi-threaded, the Intel Core i9-7920X maintains roughly a two-thirds of a tenth margin. This pattern points to a fundamental clock-speed and per-core efficiency advantage rather than a cache or memory-bandwidth effect. AMD's larger L3 cache did not translate into a win in any of the recorded tests.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-7920X wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. With 6 wins and 0 losses, Intel is the faster processor in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The average benchmark score of 5673 versus 5425 reinforces this, placing Intel about 4.6% higher overall.

The Intel chip also holds a higher percentile ranking (61st versus 60th) and a higher boost clock (4.40 GHz versus 3.80 GHz). The only areas where AMD can claim an advantage are hardware specifications: more PCIe lanes (60 versus 44) and a larger L3 cache (32 MB versus 16.5 MB). Neither of those translated into a benchmark win in the recorded data.

For a user prioritizing raw compute performance in Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the Intel Core i9-7920X is the clear choice. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 remains a capable processor, but it trails by a consistent 6.6% to 6.8% in every measured test. The verdict from the database is straightforward: Intel is faster, AMD offers more PCIe expansion.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specifications. The Intel Core i9-7920X has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz; the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Intel boosts higher, while AMD starts higher.

Cache is another major difference. Intel uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16.5 MB shared L3. AMD uses 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB L3. The total L3 capacity is nearly double on AMD.

The socket differs: Intel Socket 2066 versus AMD Socket SP3r2. PCIe lane counts differ as well, with AMD offering 60 Gen 3 lanes versus Intel's 44. Both CPUs have 12 cores, 24 threads, a 140 W TDP, and quad-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth.

The physical construction is also distinct. Intel is a single die at 484 mm², while AMD uses two dies at 213 mm² each. AMD lists 9,600 million transistors; Intel does not provide that figure. The process node is 14 nm for both, but Intel uses its own foundry while AMD uses GlobalFoundries.

The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $1199, and its part number is SR3NG. The AMD part number is YD1920A9UC9AE, with no launch MSRP recorded. Both are unlocked for overclocking, both are desktop-class parts, and both are end-of-life in production status.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-7920X wins in every benchmark category recorded. That includes all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) in both single-core and multi-core modes. The margins are tight but consistent, ranging from 6.6% to 6.8%. If your workload is rendering, video encoding, or any CPU-bound task that scales with Cinebench performance, the Intel chip is the one to pick.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but it has specification-level advantages that matter outside of compute tests. The 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes support more expansion cards, NVMe drives, or GPU configurations than Intel's 44 lanes. The larger 32 MB L3 cache could be an asset in workloads that benefit from more on-chip cache, though the recorded benchmarks do not show a win there.

For a builder assembling a multi-GPU compute node or a system with heavy I/O requirements, the AMD platform offers more headroom for expansion. For a builder who wants maximum CPU throughput in the recorded tests, Intel takes the win. The data shows Intel as the faster processor, with AMD compensating on platform connectivity rather than compute performance.