CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X and Intel Core i9-10850K present a fascinating split in the benchmark data, with the older, larger AMD part dominating all six Cinebench tests while the Intel chip counters with decisive wins in both Geekbench disciplines. The Threadripper 1920X takes a 5.6-5.7% lead in every Cinebench iteration, from the R15 single-core test (279 vs. 264) to the R23 multi-core test (19640 vs. 18592). However, the i9-10850K flips the script in Geekbench, delivering a 30.6% higher single-core score (1708 vs. 1185) and a 32.6% higher multi-core score (10653 vs. 7178). These results suggest two very different performance philosophies: the AMD chip leverages its 12 cores and 24 threads for sustained multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel part uses its higher clock speeds (5.20 GHz boost vs. 4.00 GHz) for bursty, single-thread-heavy tasks. Both processors sit at the 60th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close, 5306 for AMD vs. 5240 for Intel, but the underlying workload characteristics could not be more distinct.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for workload-specific purchasing decisions. If the priority is Cinebench-family rendering performance, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is the consistent choice, winning all six head-to-head benchmarks by a narrow but uniform margin of 5.6-5.7%. This includes the R23 multi-core test where it scores 19640 against Intel's 18592, and even the single-core R23 test (2772 vs. 2624) where the AMD part's lower boost clock (4.00 GHz vs. 5.20 GHz) apparently does not hinder its architectural efficiency. The Intel Core i9-10850K, by contrast, is the clear pick for Geekbench-based workflows, where its advantage is enormous, a 30.6% single-core lead (1708 vs. 1185) and a 32.6% multi-core lead (10653 vs. 7178). Notably, the Intel chip has the higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs. 3.50 GHz) and a 30% higher boost clock, which likely explains this Geekbench dominance. For a user running a mix of both benchmark types, the average scores are nearly identical (5306 vs. 5240, a 1.3% gap), but the divergent results mean the choice hinges entirely on whether the application suite leans toward Cinebench-style rendering or Geekbench-style general computing. The Threadripper 1920X also offers 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus just 16 for the Intel part, making it the data-driven choice for multi-GPU or high-expansion systems.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X, released in August 2017, uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 2x 213 mm² and a transistor count of 9,600 million. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads into AMD Socket SP3r2, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is generous: 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a 32 MB shared L3. The Intel Core i9-10850K, released in July 2020, uses the Comet Lake architecture on Intel's own 14 nm process, with a die size of 206 mm² (transistor count not specified in the data). It has 10 cores and 20 threads on Intel Socket 1200, clocked at 3.60 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. Its cache is smaller per core: 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and 20 MB shared L3. The AMD part features quad-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel part uses dual-channel DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have unlocked multipliers. A key divergence is the integrated graphics: the Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD part has none. The Threadripper's 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes dwarf the i9-10850K's 16 lanes, reflecting its workstation-oriented design. Interestingly, the AMD part is still marked as "Active" in production status, while the Intel chip is "End-of-life."

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a striking pattern: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins every Cinebench test, and the Intel Core i9-10850K wins every Geekbench test, with no overlap. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 1979 against Intel's 1873, a 5.7% margin. The single-core R15 result shows the same 5.7% gap (279 vs. 264). Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD lead is 5.6% in both multi-core (8248 vs. 7808) and single-core (1164 vs. 1102). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, with AMD winning multi-core 19640 to 18592 and single-core 2772 to 2624, again by 5.6%. This uniformity across three Cinebench generations suggests a consistent architectural advantage for AMD in this particular rendering engine, likely tied to its larger L3 cache (32 MB vs. 20 MB) or its 24 threads versus 20. The Geekbench results are the opposite story: Intel wins single-core by 30.6% (1708 vs. 1185) and multi-core by 32.6% (10653 vs. 7178). The magnitude of Intel's Geekbench wins (over 30%) dwarfs AMD's Cinebench wins (under 6%), which is a critical observation. The AMD part's average benchmark score is 5306, slightly above Intel's 5240, but this aggregate metric hides the dramatic workload dependence. In terms of nearest rivals, the Threadripper 1920X sits within 0.7% of the Intel Core i9-10900KF (5316) and the Intel Core i9-13900TE (5342), while the i9-10850K is within 0.6% of the Intel Core i5-13400T (5210) and within 0.4% of the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 (5259).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-10850K has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-10850K includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X does not have any integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, versus the Intel Core i9-10850K's dual-channel DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is listed as "Active" in production, while the Intel Core i9-10850K is marked as "End-of-life."

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X has an average benchmark score of 5306, versus 5240 for the Intel Core i9-10850K, a difference of about 1.3%.

Q: Which CPU provides more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X provides 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-10850K provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins in all Cinebench workloads (R15, R20, R23) for both single-core and multi-core, with margins of 5.6-5.7%. This makes it the data-backed choice for rendering tasks that use the Cinebench engine or similar workloads. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, and 32 MB L3 cache appear to give it an edge in these sustained, cache-sensitive computations. The Threadripper also wins on platform expansion: 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth versus Intel's 16 lanes and 46.9 GB/s. This suggests a clear role in multi-GPU compute, high-bandwidth memory access, or other I/O-heavy workstation tasks. The Intel Core i9-10850K wins decisively in Geekbench, both single-core (1708 vs. 1185, +30.6%) and multi-core (10653 vs. 7178, +32.6%). This makes it the preferred part for general-purpose computing, application start-up, and single-threaded software that Geekbench represents. Its higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz (versus 4.00 GHz) and lower TDP of 125 W (versus 180 W) are consistent with a design aimed at responsiveness rather than raw throughput. The Intel chip also has integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks, meaning the i9-10850K can serve as a complete system without a discrete GPU. Finally, the Intel part is end-of-life while the AMD part remains active, which could matter for long-term availability.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-10850K uses 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are close (3.50 GHz vs. 3.60 GHz), but boost clocks diverge sharply: 4.00 GHz for AMD versus 5.20 GHz for Intel. TDP differs by 55 W, with the AMD part rated at 180 W and the Intel part at 125 W. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3r2 versus Intel Socket 1200. The process nodes are both 14 nm, but the foundries differ (GlobalFoundries vs. Intel) and the die sizes are different (2x 213 mm² versus 206 mm²). The AMD chip has 9,600 million transistors, while the Intel chip's transistor count is not specified. Cache configurations vary: AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 32 MB L3, while Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 20 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but AMD uses quad-channel with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses dual-channel with 46.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe lanes are dramatically different: 60 Gen 3 lanes for AMD versus 16 Gen 3 lanes for Intel. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD chip has none. Both have unlocked multipliers. Release dates are roughly three years apart (August 2017 for AMD, July 2020 for Intel), and the AMD part carries a launch MSRP of $799, while the Intel part has no MSRP listed. Production status differs, with AMD marked Active and Intel marked End-of-life. The part numbers also differ: YD192XA8UC9AE for AMD and SRK51 for Intel.