AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Core i9-9940X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i9-9940X across all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins vary considerably by workload type. In the Cinebench suite, the Intel chip wins by narrow margins of 1.5% to 1.6% in every test, while in Geekbench, the gap widens dramatically to 19.4% and 23.7%.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the Intel Core i9-9940X scores 2400 against the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X's 2362 in the multicore test, a delta of 1.6%. The single-core result is similarly tight: 338 versus 333, a 1.5% edge for Intel. These are close enough that the difference could be considered negligible in real-world terms, yet the pattern repeats consistently through every Cinebench iteration.

Cinebench R20 follows the same script. The multicore test shows 10000 for Intel against 9844 for AMD, again a 1.6% advantage. The single-core test records 1411 versus 1389, another 1.6% gap. Cinebench R23 continues the trend with a multicore score of 23810 versus 23440 and a single-core score of 3361 versus 3309, maintaining the identical 1.6% and 1.5% deltas respectively.

The Geekbench results tell a different story entirely. In the multicore test, the Intel Core i9-9940X scores 10466 against the AMD's 7989, a massive 23.7% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test shows 1468 versus 1183, a 19.4% lead for Intel. These are not marginal differences; they represent a substantial performance gap that persists regardless of which Geekbench version was used.

The average benchmark score for the Intel part sits at 6657, while the AMD part averages 6231. This places the Intel chip in a percentile rank of 62 against all CPUs, and the AMD chip also holds a percentile rank of 62. Despite the identical percentile, the Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X at 0.1% lower, the Intel Core i5-13400E at 0.3% lower, and the AMD EPYC 72F3 at 0.6% higher. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 3100U at 0.3% lower, the AMD EPYC 7272 at 0.7% higher, and the Intel Core i9-7940X at 1.4% higher.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X wins all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, taking the Cinebench R15, R20, R23 multicore and single-core tests, plus both Geekbench multicore and single-core tests.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X scores 23810 while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X scores 23440, giving Intel a 1.6% advantage in that test.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark difference between the two?

A: The Geekbench multicore test shows the largest gap, with the Intel Core i9-9940X scoring 10466 against the AMD's 7989, a 23.7% difference.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X leads in every single-core test: Cinebench R15 by 1.5%, Cinebench R20 by 1.6%, Cinebench R23 by 1.5%, and Geekbench by 19.4%.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X has an average benchmark score of 6657, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has an average of 6231.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses the Zen architecture with the codename Zen, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses the AMD Socket SP3r2 and belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper generation specifically labeled Zen (Whitehaven). The Intel Core i9-9940X uses the Skylake architecture with the codename Skylake-X, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated by Intel. It uses the Intel Socket 2066 and belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 9th Gen.

The AMD chip has a die size of 2x 213 mm², reflecting its dual-die design, and contains 9,600 million transistors. The Intel chip has a single die of 484 mm² with no transistor count listed in the database. These physical differences hint at how each company approached the high-core-count desktop segment.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-9940X offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has larger L1 and L3 pools, while the Intel part has double the L2 per core.

Both processors support DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus and identical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither includes integrated graphics. Both have unlocked multipliers, though the AMD part carries part number YD195XA8UGAAE while the Intel part is SREZ5.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X launches with 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-9940X offers 14 cores and 28 threads. Base clocks differ slightly: 3.40 GHz for AMD versus 3.30 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks show a larger gap, with the Intel part reaching 4.50 GHz against the AMD's 4.00 GHz.

Thermal design power differs by 15 watts, with the AMD part rated at 180 W and the Intel part at 165 W. The AMD uses the SP3r2 socket, the Intel uses Socket 2066. The AMD chip's production status is listed as active, while the Intel chip is marked end-of-life. The AMD part was released on 2017-08-09, and the Intel part on 2018-10-18.

The Intel Core i9-9940X includes a PCIe specification of Gen 3 with 44 lanes (CPU only); the AMD part has no PCIe field recorded in the database. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $999, and the Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $1387.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9940X wins across every measured benchmark, but the nature of those wins splits into two categories. In Cinebench tests, which stress sustained multi-threaded rendering and single-threaded execution, the Intel part holds a narrow but consistent lead of 1.5% to 1.6%. These are workloads where the AMD's two extra cores (16 versus 14) help close the gap, but the Intel's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.00 GHz keeps it ahead.

In Geekbench tests, the Intel advantage becomes overwhelming. The 23.7% multicore lead and 19.4% single-core lead suggest that Geekbench's workload mix favors the Intel architecture more heavily. The AMD's larger core count cannot compensate for the per-core efficiency difference in this test suite.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but its specifications indicate where it might be competitive. With 16 cores and 32 threads, it offers more parallel throughput capacity on paper than the Intel's 14 cores and 28 threads. Its 32 MB of L3 cache is larger than the Intel's 19.25 MB, which could benefit cache-sensitive workloads, though the recorded benchmarks do not show this translating into a win. The AMD part also has a lower launch MSRP of $999 compared to $1387 for Intel.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-9940X is the faster processor in every recorded test. For users prioritizing raw performance in Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel part delivers a 19.4% to 23.7% advantage, which is substantial. For Cinebench workloads, the Intel part still leads, though the 1.5% to 1.6% margin is much smaller.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X remains a viable option for users who value its 16 cores and 32 threads, its larger 32 MB L3 cache, and its lower launch MSRP. However, the recorded data does not show any benchmark where it outperforms the Intel Core i9-9940X. The Intel part also comes with a higher boost clock, a lower TDP of 165 W versus 180 W, and additional PCIe Gen 3 lanes (44 lanes) that the AMD part does not list.

Given the Intel Core i9-9940X's end-of-life production status and higher launch MSRP, buyers looking at current availability should weigh those factors. The AMD part is still in active production. But strictly from the benchmark results, the Intel Core i9-9940X is the superior choice for performance, particularly in Geekbench-heavy usage. For Cinebench-oriented workloads, the two are close enough that other factors like platform preference or core-count requirements might tip the decision, but the data favors Intel in every measured scenario.