AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Core i9-10940X Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear, consistent outcome: the Intel Core i9-10940X wins every single recorded head-to-head benchmark against the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, taking all 8 tests. The Intel part holds a narrow but uniform edge in the Cinebench suite, where deltas range from -0.3% to -0.4%, meaning the i9-10940X finishes less than half a percent ahead in those workloads. The decisive separation appears in Geekbench, where Intel leads by 23.7% in multi-core and 24% in single-core, a massive margin that dominates the overall comparison.

For a user prioritizing raw single-thread performance or the specific workloads modeled by Geekbench, the Intel Core i9-10940X is the only choice supported by the data. The AMD part does not claim a single victory in any recorded test, so there is no benchmark-derived reason to prefer it. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X does offer 16 cores versus 14, but that count does not translate into a win in any measured workload here. The verdict is straightforward: the Intel Core i9-10940X is the superior performer across every benchmark in the database, with its largest advantage in Geekbench being substantial enough to define the comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations and foundries. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Whitehaven, and is built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its cache layout features 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 32 MB L3 pool. The chip is configured with a 180 W TDP and uses AMD Socket SP3r2.

The Intel Core i9-10940X belongs to the Cascade Lake-X generation, part of the Core 10th Gen X-Series. It is also built on a 14 nm process, but at Intel's own foundry. It provides 14 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, notably higher than the AMD chip's boost. Its cache structure differs: 64 KB of L1 per core, a larger 1 MB of L2 per core, and a smaller 19.25 MB of shared L3. The Intel part carries a 165 W TDP and uses Intel Socket 2066. It also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the AMD chip's PCIe information is not recorded in the database.

Both processors support DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, and both have ECC memory disabled. Neither includes integrated graphics. Both have unlocked multipliers, so overclocking is possible on either platform, though the measured clocks suggest different headroom characteristics. The transistor count and die size are recorded only for the AMD chip: 9,600 million transistors across a dual-die layout of 2x 213 mm². Those details are absent for Intel. The release dates differ by over two years, with AMD launching in August 2017 and Intel in October 2019.

The architectural divergence is most visible in clock speed and core count. Intel trades two cores for a 0.80 GHz higher boost clock, and the benchmark results show that trade favors Intel in every recorded test. The AMD chip's larger L1 and larger L3 cache do not compensate in the measured workloads. The process node is identical at 14 nm, so the performance difference comes from the core designs, clocks, and memory hierarchy rather than a manufacturing advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The win distribution is absolute: the Intel Core i9-10940X wins all 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X records 0 wins. The Cinebench results are extremely close, with Intel leading by 0.3% to 0.4% in every variant. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the scores are 2370 for Intel versus 2362 for AMD. In R20 multi-core, Intel posts 9878 against 9844. In R23 multi-core, Intel reaches 23520 versus 23440. The single-core Cinebench tests follow the same pattern: R15 at 334 versus 333, R20 at 1394 versus 1389, and R23 at 3320 versus 3309. These are effectively statistical ties, with the Intel part edging ahead by a hair in each case.

The Geekbench results tell a completely different story. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i9-10940X scores 10464 against the AMD's 7989, a 23.7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, Intel scores 1556 against 1183, a 24% lead. This is where the Intel chip wins decisively. The Cinebench workloads show that the two processors are nearly equal in heavily threaded rendering tasks, likely because the AMD's two extra cores offset Intel's higher clocks. The Geekbench suite, however, clearly favors Intel's architecture and clock speed, producing a margin that dwarfs the Cinebench differences.

For use-case selection, the data indicates that in rendering workloads similar to Cinebench, either processor would deliver nearly identical results, with Intel holding a negligible edge. In workloads resembling Geekbench, which often include a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory tests, the Intel Core i9-10940X is the clear winner. There is no recorded workload where the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X takes the lead, so the data does not support selecting it for any specific task based on these benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in the database?

A: The Intel Core i9-10940X wins all 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins 0.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel part leads by 0.3% to 0.4% across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 23520 versus AMD's 23440.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i9-10940X have its biggest advantage?

A: In Geekbench. Intel leads by 23.7% in multi-core (10464 versus 7989) and by 24% in single-core (1556 versus 1183).

Q: Does the AMD processor's higher core count help it win any test?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 16 cores versus Intel's 14, but it still loses every recorded benchmark, including all Cinebench multi-core tests.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Both support DDR4 over a quad-channel memory bus. The AMD chip's memory bandwidth is recorded as 85.3 GB/s, while the Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison is defined by two distinct tiers of results. The first tier covers the six Cinebench tests, where the Intel Core i9-10940X wins by margins so small they fall within normal run-to-run variation. The second tier covers the two Geekbench tests, where Intel's advantage becomes overwhelming.

Starting with Cinebench R15, Intel scores 2370 in multi-core versus AMD's 2362, a delta of -0.3%. The single-core test shows 334 versus 333, also -0.3%. Moving to Cinebench R20, Intel posts 9878 against 9844 in multi-core, again -0.3%, and 1394 against 1389 in single-core, a slightly larger -0.4% delta. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: 23520 versus 23440 in multi-core (-0.3%) and 3320 versus 3309 in single-core (-0.3%). Across all six Cinebench tests, the largest margin is just 0.4%, and the Intel chip never trails.

The Geekbench results break the pattern entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i9-10940X scores 10464, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X scores 7989. The delta is -23.7%, meaning Intel is nearly a quarter faster. In Geekbench single-core, Intel scores 1556 against 1183, a delta of -24%. These two tests account for the bulk of the overall performance difference between the parts.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. The AMD chip has an average benchmark score of 6231, while the Intel chip averages 6605. The AMD chip's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U at 6247 (-0.3%), the AMD EPYC 7272 at 6186 (+0.7%), the Intel Core i9-7940X at 6147 (+1.4%), and the AMD EPYC 7501 at 6128 (+1.7%). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 at 6605 (0%), the Intel Core i9-12900E at 6611 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i5-13500E at 6586 (+0.3%), and the Intel Core i5-13400E at 6638 (-0.5%). Both processors sit at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The data shows that the Intel Core i9-10940X is the stronger processor in every measured test, with the Geekbench results providing the clear separation. The Cinebench results indicate that in rendering-style workloads, the two chips are functionally equivalent, with Intel holding a symbolic lead. The Geekbench results, however, demonstrate a substantial architectural advantage for Intel that cannot be ignored.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. The core count differs: AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while Intel provides 14 cores and 28 threads. Clock speeds also differ: AMD has a 3.40 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, while Intel has a 3.30 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The TDP is higher on the AMD side at 180 W versus Intel's 165 W.

The sockets are different: AMD uses Socket SP3r2, Intel uses Socket 2066. The architectures are from different families: AMD uses Zen (Whitehaven), Intel uses Cascade Lake-X. Both are built on a 14 nm process, but at different foundries: GlobalFoundries for AMD and Intel for Intel. The AMD chip's transistor count is recorded as 9,600 million with a die size of 2x 213 mm²; no such data is available for the Intel part.

Cache configurations differ meaningfully. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has a higher L1 allocation and a larger L3, while Intel has double the L2 per core.

Memory support is similar: both use DDR4 with a quad-channel bus. The AMD chip's memory bandwidth is recorded as 85.3 GB/s, while Intel's is not recorded. ECC memory is disabled on both. The Intel chip lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the AMD chip's PCIe information is not recorded. Neither has integrated graphics.

The release dates differ by over two years: AMD launched on August 9, 2017, and Intel launched on October 18, 2019. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $999, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel part. Both have unlocked multipliers, confirming overclocking support on each platform. The production status for both is listed as Active. The AMD part has a recorded part number (YD195XA8UGAAE), while the Intel part number is not recorded. The series names differ as well: AMD is in the 1000 series, Intel is in the Core 10th Gen.