AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Intel Core i9-13900TE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a clear and consistent picture for these two desktop processors. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i9-13900TE. The AMD part holds a single-core advantage of 15.8% in Cinebench R20 and R23, and a 16% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. In multi-core workloads, the Threadripper 2920X is 15.7% ahead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The data suggests that users prioritizing raw rendering throughput in Cinebench should select the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. The Intel Core i9-13900TE, with its 35 watt TDP and integrated graphics, suits scenarios where power draw, platform flexibility, and built-in display output matter more than the recorded benchmark scores. The database shows the 2920X sits at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, while the 13900TE lands at the 60th percentile, making them comparable in overall standing despite the AMD part's consistent win in these specific tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and generations. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X belongs to the 2000 series, built on the Zen+ architecture with the codename Colfax. It uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries and packs 9,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 213 mm². The Intel Core i9-13900TE is a Core 13th Gen part based on Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-S, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD chip offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel part provides 24 cores and 32 threads, meaning the Intel processor has more physical cores but still trails in the benchmark results. Cache configurations also differ: the Threadripper 2920X has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3 cache. The Core i9-13900TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache, giving it a larger total L3 pool but smaller per-core L1. Memory support splits them further: the AMD part uses DDR4 in a quad-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s and no ECC support, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with ECC enabled. The Threadripper 2920X relies on PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes from the CPU, whereas the 13900TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD processor has no integrated graphics. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, and the Intel part does not. The Threadripper 2920X uses AMD Socket SP3r2, and the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins every benchmark comparison in the head-to-head table, so the split is not about specific tests but about workload characteristics. The AMD part's advantage in single-core tests (15.8% in Cinebench R20 and R23, 16% in R15) indicates it offers stronger per-thread performance in lightly threaded applications like older games or single-threaded productivity tools. Its multi-core wins (15.7% in all three Cinebench versions) suggest it handles fully threaded rendering tasks, such as video encoding or 3D scene compilation, with greater efficiency despite having fewer cores. The Intel Core i9-13900TE, with its 35 watt TDP compared to the AMD part's 180 watts, presents a different trade-off: it draws far less power, which could make it preferable in compact systems or environments with thermal constraints. The Intel chip also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders more memory choice, and includes ECC support, which matters for data integrity in certain professional workloads. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 means the Intel processor can output video without a discrete GPU, a feature the AMD part lacks entirely. For users who need PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, the Intel chip provides that standard with 16 lanes, whereas the AMD part sticks to PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes, which offers more total lanes but an older standard. The data suggests the Threadripper 2920X is the pick for benchmark-driven rendering performance, while the 13900TE suits power-sensitive builds, memory flexibility, and systems requiring integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X leads in all recorded single-core tests. It scores 304 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 262 for the Intel Core i9-13900TE, and 3018 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 2607 for the Intel part.

Q: How many cores does each CPU have, and does that affect the results?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part wins every multi-core benchmark, posting 21380 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 18472 for the Intel chip.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has a TDP of 180 watts, while the Intel Core i9-13900TE has a TDP of 35 watts. This difference is substantial and indicates the Intel part is designed for much lower power draw.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900TE supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X does not. This makes the Intel part more suitable for error-sensitive computing environments.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900TE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has no integrated graphics. The Intel chip can provide display output without a separate GPU.

Q: What are the overall performance percentiles for these CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X sits at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel Core i9-13900TE sits at the 60th percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 5730, while the Intel part averages 5342.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a uniform pattern: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins all six comparisons with nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 2154 against the Intel chip's 1861, a 15.7% delta. The single-core R15 test shows 304 versus 262, a 16% advantage for AMD. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 8979 for the Threadripper 2920X and 7758 for the Core i9-13900TE, again 15.7% apart. The R20 single-core test yields 1267 versus 1094, a 15.8% delta in AMD's favor. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: multi-core scores are 21380 for AMD and 18472 for Intel (15.7% delta), and single-core scores are 3018 versus 2607 (15.8% delta). These consistent margins across different Cinebench versions indicate a stable performance gap rather than a single outlier result. The Intel part's higher core count of 24 does not translate to a win in any recorded test, which suggests that the AMD chip's architecture, memory bandwidth, or clock behavior delivers better actual throughput. The base clock for the Intel part is listed as 1000.00 MHz, which is unusually low compared to its 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the AMD part has a 3.50 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. That wide boost range on the Intel chip may explain why it cannot match the AMD part in sustained workloads, as the recorded Cinebench scores indicate the AMD processor maintains higher effective performance across all tests.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-13900TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost of 4.30 GHz, whereas the Intel base clock is 1000.00 MHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. TDP values are 180 watts for AMD and 35 watts for Intel. The socket types differ: AMD Socket SP3r2 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries with 9,600 million transistors and a die size of 2x 213 mm²; the Intel part uses a 10 nm process from Intel with a die size of 257 mm². Cache layouts are distinct: AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB L3; Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support splits as DDR4 quad-channel with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth for AMD, versus DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel for Intel with no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported only on the Intel chip. PCIe generations and lane counts differ: AMD offers Gen 3 with 60 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics exist only on the Intel part (UHD Graphics 770). The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $649; the Intel chip has a locked multiplier and no launch MSRP recorded. The release dates are 2018-10-02 for AMD and 2023-01-03 for Intel, and the part numbers are YD292XA8UC9AF for AMD and SRMG1 for Intel.