AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Core i9-12900E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear pattern: the Intel Core i9-12900E wins all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X. That is a decisive sweep, but the margins tell a more interesting story. In the Cinebench suite, the Intel part wins every round by fractions of a percent. The largest Cinebench gap is just 0.4 percent, which appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The other Cinebench results are similarly close: Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 0.4 percent (2371 versus 2362), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel ahead by 0.3 percent (334 versus 333).

These Cinebench margins are tiny. For practical purposes, the two processors deliver nearly identical performance in rendering workloads that rely on sustained multi-threaded execution. The AMD part posts 9844 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, while Intel posts 9882. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD scores 23440 and Intel scores 23529. The single-core results follow the same pattern: 1389 versus 1394 in R20, and 3309 versus 3321 in R23. The differences are within measurement noise for most real-world workloads.

The Geekbench results break the tie decisively. Intel leads by 22.3 percent in Geekbench multi-core (10280 versus 7989) and by 33.4 percent in Geekbench single-core (1775 versus 1183). These are not rounding errors. The Geekbench suite stresses memory latency, branch prediction, and integer and floating point throughput in ways that expose architectural efficiency differences. The Intel Core i9-12900E, built on Alder Lake, shows a substantial advantage in these tests, particularly in single-threaded performance where the boost clock and newer microarchitecture matter most.

The average benchmark score also favors Intel. The database records an average score of 6611 for the Intel Core i9-12900E against 6231 for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X. That is a 6.1 percent advantage in aggregate performance across the eight tests. The percentile ranking against all CPUs is identical for both: the 62nd percentile. That means both processors sit in the same overall performance tier, despite the Geekbench gap. The AMD part’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U (average score 6247, delta 0.3 percent behind), the AMD EPYC 7272 (6186, 0.7 percent ahead), the Intel Core i9-7940X (6147, 1.4 percent ahead), and the AMD EPYC 7501 (6128, 1.7 percent ahead). The Intel part’s nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 (6605, 0.1 percent behind), the Intel Core i9-10940X (6605, 0.1 percent behind), the Intel Core i5-13500E (6586, 0.4 percent ahead), and the Intel Core i5-13400E (6638, 0.4 percent behind). These rival comparisons confirm that both CPUs cluster in a narrow performance band, with the Intel part sitting slightly higher on average.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900E wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is straightforward. Intel dominates both multi-core and single-core tests in Geekbench, with the single-core advantage being especially pronounced. The 33.4 percent lead in Geekbench single-core indicates a major efficiency gap in lightweight, latency-sensitive workloads. This matters for desktop responsiveness, application launch times, and any software that relies heavily on a single thread, such as older games or legacy productivity tools.

In Cinebench, Intel wins all six tests but by margins that do not exceed 0.4 percent. For pure rendering workloads, such as 3D scene rendering in software that scales linearly with cores, the two processors are effectively interchangeable. A user would not notice the difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core between 23440 and 23529. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, despite losing every head-to-head test, remains competitive in multi-threaded rendering because its 16 cores and 32 threads provide ample parallel throughput.

The AMD part’s strongest showing is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it trails by only 0.4 percent. That test is older and tends to reward raw core counts and memory bandwidth. The Threadripper’s quad-channel memory support and 32 threads keep it within striking distance. However, the AMD part has no single benchmark where it leads. The database shows zero wins for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and eight wins for the Intel Core i9-12900E.

For users who prioritize single-threaded performance, the Intel part is the clear choice. For users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering, either processor will deliver similar results, but the Intel part still holds the edge, even if small. For users who run a mix of workloads, the Geekbench results suggest Intel will feel faster in everyday use, while the Cinebench results suggest no penalty in heavily threaded tasks. The AMD part’s only realistic advantage would come from platform features, not from benchmark scores, because no recorded metric favors it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Whitehaven, 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. The thermal design power is 180 watts, which is high and reflects the power draw of a 16-core die. The processor uses the AMD Socket SP3r2 and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The cache layout is 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. The die size is listed as two chips of 213 mm² each, totaling 426 mm², and the transistor count is 9,600 million. The processor was released in August 2017 with a launch MSRP of $999.

The Intel Core i9-12900E uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It also has 16 cores but only 24 threads, because it uses a hybrid design with performance cores and efficiency cores. The base clock is 2.30 GHz and the boost clock is 5.00 GHz, a significantly higher ceiling than the AMD part. The thermal design power is 65 watts, which is less than half the AMD part’s 180 watts. The processor uses the Intel Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but only in a dual-channel configuration. The memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. The cache layout is 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The die size is 215 mm², and the transistor count is not recorded. The processor includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 770, and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. It was released in January 2022 with a launch MSRP of $494.

The architecture differences explain the benchmark results. The Intel part’s higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.00 GHz drives its large Geekbench single-core lead. The newer 10 nm process and Alder Lake hybrid design also improve instructions per clock. The AMD part’s advantage lies in its quad-channel memory bus and higher thread count, which keep it competitive in Cinebench multi-core despite the older architecture. The Intel part’s dual-channel memory bus does not appear to hurt it in the recorded tests, likely because the Cinebench suite does not stress memory bandwidth as heavily as other workloads. The AMD part’s 180 watt TDP suggests it requires more robust cooling and power delivery, while the Intel part’s 65 watt TDP makes it far more power efficient on paper.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have unlocked multipliers. The AMD part uses the older SP3r2 socket, which is tied to the Threadripper platform with its quad-channel memory and many PCIe lanes, though the exact PCIe lane count is not recorded. The Intel part uses LGA 1700, which offers DDR5 support and integrated graphics, features absent from the AMD part.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i9-12900E as the better processor in every measured category. It wins all eight head-to-head benchmarks, posts a higher average score (6611 versus 6231), and achieves a 33.4 percent lead in Geekbench single-core and a 22.3 percent lead in Geekbench multi-core. For users who want the fastest single-threaded performance, the Intel part is the only choice. For users who run multi-threaded workloads, the Intel part still wins, though by margins that are negligible in Cinebench. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is competitive only in the narrow sense that its Cinebench scores are within 0.4 percent of Intel’s, but it never leads.

The Intel part also offers a lower TDP (65 watts versus 180 watts), integrated graphics, DDR5 support, and a newer release date. The AMD part offers more threads (32 versus 24) and quad-channel memory, but these features do not translate into any benchmark victory in the recorded data. The AMD part’s launch MSRP was $999, while the Intel part’s launch MSRP was $494, though pricing is not a factor in this analysis.

Who should pick which? A user whose primary workload is heavily multi-threaded rendering and who values the Threadripper platform’s memory bandwidth might still consider the AMD part, but the benchmark data offers no justification. The Intel part matches or beats it in every test. A user who needs integrated graphics, lower power consumption, or the latest memory standards should choose Intel. A user who needs the highest possible thread count for specific software that scales beyond 24 threads might prefer the AMD part, but the Cinebench multi-core results show no benefit from those extra threads in the recorded tests. The verdict is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-12900E is the superior processor according to all measured metrics.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X win any benchmark against the Intel Core i9-12900E?

A: No. The database records eight head-to-head benchmarks, and the Intel Core i9-12900E wins all eight. The AMD part has zero wins.

Q: How large is the Intel part’s lead in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900E scores 1775 in Geekbench single-core, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X scores 1183. That is a 33.4 percent lead for Intel.

Q: Are the Cinebench differences significant?

A: No. The largest Cinebench margin is 0.4 percent. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 23529 versus AMD’s 23440, a difference that is unlikely to be noticeable in real-world rendering.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900E has 24 threads. Despite having fewer threads, the Intel part scores higher in every multi-core benchmark.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has a TDP of 180 watts. The Intel Core i9-12900E has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Does the Intel part include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-12900E includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has no integrated graphics listed.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X | Intel Core i9-12900E |

|---------------|------------------------------|----------------------|

| Series | 1000 series | Core 12th Gen |

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Cores | 16 | 16 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 180 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3r2 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Zen | Alder Lake-S |

| Generation | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen (Whitehaven)) | Core i9 (Alder Lake-S) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 213 mm² | 215 mm² |

| Transistors | 9,600 million | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | No | No |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2017-08-09 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $999 | $494 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | Yes |

| Part Number | YD195XA8UGAAE | SRL6B |