AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X vs Intel Core i9-12900TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent pattern: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database against the Intel Core i9-12900TE. Out of six recorded comparisons, the AMD part claims all six victories, with a uniform 12.5% margin across every test. This consistency is notable, as it suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper 1920X scores 1979 against Intel's 1759, a 12.5% advantage. The single-core result in the same benchmark shows the same 12.5% gap, with 279 versus 248. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD processor again leads by 12.5% in both multi-core (8248 versus 7333) and single-core (1164 versus 1035). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the Threadripper 1920X posts 19640 multi-core and 2772 single-core, while the i9-12900TE manages 17461 and 2465 respectively. Every delta is exactly 12.5%, indicating that the relative performance difference is stable across both rendering loads and single-threaded tasks.

Looking at the broader database context, the Threadripper 1920X holds an average benchmark score of 5306 across all recorded tests, placing it in the 60th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are the Intel Core i9-9900X at 5301 (0.1% behind), the AMD EPYC 7281 at 5315 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i9-10900KF at 5316 (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i9-13900TE at 5342 (0.7% ahead). The i9-12900TE, by contrast, averages 5050, sitting in the same 60th percentile but with a different competitor set. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-9820X at 5049 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon Gold 6334 at 5043 (0.1% behind), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at 5070 (0.4% ahead), and the Intel Xeon W-2155 at 5072 (0.4% ahead). The 5.1% average score difference between the two chips in question (5306 versus 5050) is consistent with the 12.5% margins seen in the individual Cinebench runs, though the average includes Geekbench results that only the AMD part has recorded.

The Geekbench data for the Threadripper 1920X shows 7178 multi-core and 1185 single-core. The i9-12900TE has no Geekbench entries in the database, so direct comparison on that test is not possible. However, the Cinebench suite provides comprehensive coverage of both rendering and lightly threaded performance, and the AMD chip wins all of those.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Whitehaven, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The chip is constructed from two dies, each measuring 213 mm², totaling 9,600 million transistors. Cache is organized as 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. Memory support is DDR4 over a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 60 lanes from the CPU. The socket is AMD Socket SP3r2, and the processor carries a 180 W TDP.

The Intel Core i9-12900TE uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It has 16 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 1100.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The die size is 215 mm², and the database does not list a transistor count. Cache structure differs notably: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, though memory bandwidth is not recorded. PCIe is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The chip includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, which the AMD part lacks. The socket is Intel Socket 1700, and the TDP is 35 W.

The Alder Lake part is a hybrid design in practice, though the database lists a single core count of 16 with 24 threads, implying a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The Threadripper 1920X is a homogeneous 12-core design. The clock behavior reflects this: Intel's boost clock of 4.80 GHz is higher than AMD's 4.00 GHz, but the base clock of 1100.00 MHz is dramatically lower, indicating that the Intel chip is tuned for burst performance and power efficiency rather than sustained all-core operation. The TDP difference is stark: 35 W for Intel versus 180 W for AMD. That 145 W gap explains why the Intel part can be deployed in systems with much lighter cooling and power delivery requirements, even though the Threadripper still wins every benchmark in the head-to-head set.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is one-sided, so the use-case split follows directly from the numbers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins every recorded Cinebench test, both multi-core and single-core, by exactly 12.5%. That makes it the stronger choice for any workload represented by those tests: multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, as well as single-threaded rendering tasks in the same suites. The multi-core wins are particularly relevant for content creation, 3D rendering, and other heavily threaded production workloads. The single-core wins are smaller in absolute terms but still consistent, so even lightly threaded applications that rely on one or two cores will see a measurable advantage on the AMD platform.

The Intel Core i9-12900TE does not win any head-to-head benchmark in the database. Its strengths are not reflected in the recorded scores, but the specification data indicates where it would be preferred: the 35 W TDP allows deployment in compact or thermally constrained systems, the integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides display output without a discrete GPU, and dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support offers memory flexibility. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz suggests burst capability, but the benchmark results do not show that translating into a win against the Threadripper. For users prioritizing raw benchmark performance, the AMD part is the clear choice. For users prioritizing power efficiency, integrated graphics, and memory options, the Intel part has qualitative advantages that the benchmark suite does not capture.

The Geekbench results, available only for the AMD chip, show 7178 multi-core and 1185 single-core. Without corresponding Intel data, those numbers cannot be compared directly, but they contribute to the Threadripper's average score of 5306 and its 60th percentile ranking.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900TE has 16 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for AMD and 1100.00 MHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.00 GHz and 4.80 GHz respectively. TDP is 180 W for AMD and 35 W for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket SP3r2 versus Intel Socket 1700.

The process nodes are 14 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel, with foundries GlobalFoundries and Intel respectively. The AMD die consists of two 213 mm² pieces totaling 9,600 million transistors; the Intel die is a single 215 mm² piece with no recorded transistor count. Cache layouts differ: AMD has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, while Intel has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. L3 is 32 MB for AMD and 30 MB shared for Intel. Memory support is DDR4 only for AMD versus DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel. Memory bus is quad-channel for AMD and dual-channel for Intel, with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth recorded only for AMD. PCIe is Gen 3 with 60 lanes for AMD versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are absent on AMD and present as UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. The release dates are 2017-08-09 for AMD and 2022-01-03 for Intel. The launch MSRP for the Threadripper 1920X is $799, and for the i9-12900TE it is $494. Both processors have unlocked multipliers. The AMD part number is YD192XA8UC9AE; no part number is recorded for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core i9-12900TE, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core tests.

Q: What is the performance margin in the head-to-head tests?

A: The margin is exactly 12.5% in every recorded test. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 19640 for AMD versus 17461 for Intel, and single-core shows 2772 versus 2465.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Threadripper 1920X has an average benchmark score of 5306 across all recorded tests, while the i9-12900TE averages 5050. Both sit in the 60th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD part has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel part has 16 cores and 24 threads. Despite fewer cores, the AMD chip wins all recorded benchmarks.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X has a TDP of 180 W, while the Intel Core i9-12900TE has a TDP of 35 W. This is a 145 W difference in favor of the Intel part for power-constrained systems.

Q: Does the Intel processor include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-12900TE includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X has no integrated graphics in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for performance-oriented buyers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark, winning all six head-to-head tests by a uniform 12.5%. Its average benchmark score of 5306 exceeds the i9-12900TE's 5050 by about 5.1%, and it holds a higher percentile placement among its nearest rivals. Users who prioritize Cinebench rendering performance, whether multi-threaded or single-threaded, should select the Threadripper 1920X.

The Intel Core i9-12900TE is not competitive in the benchmark results, but it offers a different set of attributes that the database records. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for thermally constrained environments, the integrated UHD Graphics 770 removes the need for a discrete GPU, and its dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 memory support provides flexibility. The higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz indicates burst capability, though the benchmark data does not translate that into any wins. Buyers who need low power draw, integrated graphics, or the ability to use either DDR4 or DDR5 memory may find the Intel part appropriate despite its benchmark deficit. Buyers who need maximum recorded performance in rendering workloads should choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X.