AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Core i9-7940X Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Intel Core i9-7940X represent two distinct approaches to high-end desktop computing from the same era, with the data showing a clear split in workload suitability. The Threadripper 1950X wins six of eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Core i9-7940X dominates the remaining two, and their average benchmark scores are separated by only 1.4% in favor of the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a consistent picture across the Cinebench suite: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins every single Cinebench test, regardless of version or thread count. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 2362 against 2161 for the Intel part, a 9.3% advantage. That margin repeats almost exactly in single-core R15 (333 vs 305, 9.2% ahead), R20 multi-core (9844 vs 9006, 9.3%), and R23 multi-core (23440 vs 21444, 9.3%). The pattern is uniform: the Threadripper leads by roughly nine percent in every Cinebench test, and it wins both multi-threaded and single-threaded render tests.

The Intel Core i9-7940X, however, wins decisively in the Geekbench suite. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 10516 against 7989, a 24% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1445 against 1183, an 18.1% lead. These are the only two benchmark wins for Intel, but they are substantial and indicate a different performance profile. The data suggests the Intel part handles Geekbench's specific workload mix far more efficiently, while the AMD part excels in Cinebench's rendering-focused tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses the Zen architecture (codename Zen, specifically "Ryzen Threadripper (Zen (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 boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i9-7940X uses Skylake (Skylake-X) architecture, also on a 14 nm process but at Intel's own foundry, configured with 14 cores and 28 threads, a base clock of 3.10 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 32 MB L3 cache. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 19.25 MB shared L3 cache. Die size also contrasts: the AMD chip uses two dies totaling 2x 213 mm² with 9,600 million transistors, while the Intel chip is a single 484 mm² die. Both support DDR4 memory in quad-channel configuration with identical 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. Both have unlocked multipliers, and both target the desktop market segment.

The Intel part offers 44 PCIe lanes (Gen 3, CPU only), while the AMD part's PCIe configuration is not listed in the data. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, while the Core i9 uses Intel Socket 2066. Production status differs: the AMD part is listed as "Active," while the Intel part is "End-of-life." Release dates are close, with the Threadripper launching on 2017-08-09 and the Core i9 on 2017-08-31.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-7940X has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD part has an average benchmark score of 6231, while the Intel part scores 6147. The delta is 1.4% in AMD's favor, and both sit near the 61st-62nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, all of them in the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core i9-7940X wins the remaining 2, both in Geekbench.

Q: Is there a difference in boost clock speeds?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i9-7940X has a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to the AMD part's 4.00 GHz. The AMD part has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Both support DDR4 in quad-channel mode with 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has a 32 MB L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9-7940X has a 19.25 MB shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. Core count is 16 for AMD versus 14 for Intel, and thread count is 32 versus 28. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz versus 3.10 GHz, while boost clocks are 4.00 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. TDP is 180 W for the AMD part and 165 W for the Intel part. Sockets differ: AMD Socket SP3r2 versus Intel Socket 2066. Architecture is Zen versus Skylake, with codenames Zen and Skylake-X respectively.

Cache hierarchies differ: L1 is 96 KB per core on AMD versus 64 KB per core on Intel; L2 is 512 KB per core versus 1 MB per core; L3 is 32 MB versus 19.25 MB shared. Process node is the same at 14 nm, but foundries differ (GlobalFoundries versus Intel). Transistor count is 9,600 million for AMD, while Intel's is not listed. Die size is 2x 213 mm² for AMD versus 484 mm² for Intel. The Intel part lists 44 PCIe lanes (Gen 3, CPU only), while AMD's PCIe data is absent. Production status is "Active" for AMD and "End-of-life" for Intel. Release dates are 2017-08-09 for AMD and 2017-08-31 for Intel. Launch MSRP is $999 for the AMD part and $1399 for the Intel part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are the clearest story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper 1950X scores 2362 versus 2161, a 9.3% win. The R15 single-core test shows 333 versus 305, a 9.2% margin. Moving to R20, the multi-core gap is 9844 versus 9006 (9.3%), and single-core is 1389 versus 1271 (9.3%). The R23 results continue the pattern: multi-core 23440 versus 21444 (9.3%), single-core 3309 versus 3027 (9.3%). Across six Cinebench tests, the AMD part leads by a remarkably consistent margin of roughly nine percent, indicating a systematic advantage in this rendering workload.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i9-7940X scores 10516 against 7989, a 24% delta in Intel's favor. The single-core test shows 1445 versus 1183, an 18.1% lead. These are large margins, and they indicate that the Intel part's architecture handles the Geekbench workload substantially better despite having fewer cores and threads. The contrast is stark: AMD wins render workloads by nine percent, and Intel wins Geekbench by 18-24 percent.

The Verdict

The data points to a workload-dependent choice. For Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is the clear pick: it wins every Cinebench test by roughly nine percent, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with a 32 MB L3 cache, give it a consistent edge in these benchmarks, and it achieves this while drawing 180 W TDP versus Intel's 165 W.

For Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Core i9-7940X is the better performer, winning by 24% in multi-core and 18.1% in single-core. The Intel part's higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz and larger L2 cache (1 MB per core versus 512 KB) likely contribute to its strong showing in this benchmark suite, even though it has fewer cores and a smaller shared L3 cache.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 6231 for AMD versus 6147 for Intel, a 1.4% difference. Both processors sit at the 61st-62nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD part has more cores, a higher base clock, and a larger L3 cache, while the Intel part has a higher boost clock, more PCIe lanes, and a lower TDP. Given the production status, the AMD part remains "Active" while the Intel part is "End-of-life," which may factor into availability. The choice comes down to which benchmark suite better reflects the intended use: render workloads favor AMD, while Geekbench-style tasks favor Intel.