AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Core i9-9920X Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits these two processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins six of the eight head-to-head comparisons, all of them in Cinebench workloads. Its advantage in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, is uniform at 11.4% over the Intel Core i9-9920X. This consistency across every Cinebench iteration suggests a broad architectural edge in rendering tasks, where the Threadripper's 16 cores and 32 threads outmuscle the i9's 12 cores and 24 threads.

The Intel Core i9-9920X wins the two Geekbench tests. Its multi-core score of 9422 versus 7989 for the Threadripper represents a 15.2% lead, while the single-core result of 1393 versus 1183 shows a 15.1% margin. These Geekbench victories indicate that the i9-9920X handles certain integer and floating-point workloads more efficiently, likely due to its higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz compared to the Threadripper's 4.00 GHz. The data suggests a split: choose the Threadripper for Cinebench-style render workloads, choose the i9 for Geekbench-style general computation.

The average benchmark score for the Threadripper is 6231, placing it at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs. The i9-9920X averages 5917, sitting at the 61st percentile. Both are within one percentile point of each other, yet the Threadripper's average is 5.3% higher. The nearest rival to the Threadripper is the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U with an average score of 6247, a negligible 0.3% difference. For the i9-9920X, the closest competitor is the AMD EPYC 7451 at 5915, essentially a tie at 0% delta.

Architecture Differences

The foundational difference lies in core counts. The Threadripper 1950X packs 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i9-9920X offers 12 cores and 24 threads. This four-core, eight-thread gap explains the Threadripper's Cinebench dominance. The Threadripper uses AMD's Zen architecture, codenamed Whitehaven, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. Its die consists of two 213 mm² chiplets, totaling 9,600 million transistors. The i9-9920X uses Intel's Skylake-X architecture, a 9th generation Core i9 part, on the same 14 nm node but at Intel's foundry. Its die is a single 484 mm² piece, with transistor count not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Threadripper provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 32 MB L3 cache. The i9-9920X has 64 KB of L1 per core, a larger 1 MB of L2 per core, and a smaller 19.25 MB shared L3. The Threadripper's larger L3 portion benefits multi-threaded workloads that repeatedly access shared data. The i9's larger per-core L2 helps single-threaded latency-sensitive tasks.

Clock speeds favor Intel. The i9-9920X runs at a 3.50 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, while the Threadripper sits at 3.40 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Despite lower clocks, the Threadripper still wins Cinebench single-core by 11.4%, indicating that its Zen cores deliver more instructions per clock in that specific render benchmark. The i9's higher boost clock contributes to its Geekbench single-core lead.

Both processors support DDR4 memory in quad-channel configuration, each with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, while the i9 uses Intel Socket 2066. The i9 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes from the CPU; the Threadripper's PCIe lane count is not recorded. Both have unlocked multipliers. The Threadripper's TDP is 180 watts, the i9's is 165 watts. The Threadripper launched in August 2017 with a launch MSRP of $999, while the i9 launched in October 2018 with a launch MSRP of $1189. The Threadripper remains active in production, the i9 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for render-heavy workflows: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X. Its 11.4% lead across all six Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core, is decisive. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration, combined with a larger 32 MB L3 cache, provides a tangible advantage in Cinebench's rendering algorithm. Users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23 as a primary workload should select the Threadripper without hesitation.

The Intel Core i9-9920X is the pick for Geekbench-oriented tasks. Its 15.2% multi-core and 15.1% single-core leads in Geekbench indicate superior performance in that benchmark's specific mix of encryption, compression, and memory-bound tests. The higher 4.50 GHz boost clock and larger per-core L2 cache likely drive this result. For users whose workload correlates with Geekbench scores, the i9 delivers measurable gains.

The overall average benchmark score favors the Threadripper at 6231 versus 5917, a 5.3% difference. The Threadripper also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking at 62 versus 61. Neither chip is a runaway winner across all metrics; the data shows a workload-dependent split. The Threadripper's six wins versus the i9's two wins, however, indicate that the AMD part covers a broader range of benchmark scenarios. The i9-9920X is no longer in production, so availability favors the still-active Threadripper.

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 i9-9920X has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Threadripper scores 23440, which is 11.4% ahead of the i9's 21046.

Q: Which chip wins in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i9-9920X wins with a score of 9422, a 15.2% lead over the Threadripper's 7989.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Threadripper boosts to 4.00 GHz, while the i9-9920X boosts to 4.50 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support quad-channel memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 in quad-channel mode, each with 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Threadripper has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i9-9920X has 19.25 MB shared.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a uniform pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 2362 against the i9's 2121, an 11.4% advantage. The single-core R15 test repeats the exact same delta: 333 versus 299. Cinebench R20 multi-core sees 9844 versus 8839, again 11.4%. Single-core R20 is 1389 versus 1247. Cinebench R23 multi-core is 23440 versus 21046, and single-core R23 is 3309 versus 2971. Every single Cinebench test, regardless of version or thread count, produces precisely 11.4% separation. This consistency indicates a fixed architectural advantage that scales with the benchmark's design.

Geekbench tells the opposite story. The multi-core test has the i9 at 9422 versus 7989 for the Threadripper, a 15.2% margin in Intel's favor. The single-core Geekbench test shows 1393 versus 1183, a 15.1% lead. These deltas are nearly identical to each other, suggesting that the i9's advantage in Geekbench is uniform across both single and multi-threaded portions. The i9's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz likely drives this, as Geekbench's workloads respond more to clock speed than to raw core count.

The average benchmark scores put these in perspective. The Threadripper's average of 6231 places it just 0.3% below the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U and 0.7% above the AMD EPYC 7272. The i9's average of 5917 matches the AMD EPYC 7451 exactly and sits 1.1% below the Intel Xeon W-2170B. These rival comparisons show that both CPUs sit in a similar performance band, with the Threadripper holding a slight overall edge.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X | Intel Core i9-9920X |

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

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 180 W | 165 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3r2 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Zen | Skylake |

| Codename | Zen (Whitehaven) | Skylake-X |

| Generation | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen) | Core i9 (X-Series 9th Gen) |

| Process node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,600 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 2x 213 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 512 KB per core | 1 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 32 MB | 19.25 MB shared |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 3, 44 lanes (CPU only) |

| Release date | 2017-08-09 | 2018-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $999 | $1189 |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Part number | YD195XA8UGAAE | SREZ6 |

The two CPUs share a 14 nm process node, quad-channel DDR4 memory support, 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC support, no integrated graphics, and unlocked multipliers. The Threadripper offers more cores, threads, and L3 cache, while the i9 provides higher base and boost clocks, larger per-core L2, and a higher launch MSRP. The Threadripper's dual-die design with 9,600 million transistors contrasts with the i9's single 484 mm² die. Neither supports ECC memory, and both target the desktop market segment.