AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Intel Core i9-9920X Comparison

The Intel Core i9-9920X and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X are both 12-core, 24-thread desktop processors released in October 2018, yet they present distinctly different benchmark profiles. The Core i9-9920X, built on Intel's 14 nm Skylake-X architecture, posts a higher average benchmark score of 5917 compared to the Threadripper 2920X's 5730, with both CPUs sitting at the 61st percentile among all CPUs. However, the head-to-head data reveals a split: AMD wins all six Cinebench tests by narrow margins of 1.5-1.6%, while Intel wins both Geekbench tests by substantial margins of 10% and 26.1%. This divergence between rendering workloads and general-purpose benchmarks defines the choice between these two processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-9920X has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X boosts to 4.30 GHz. Both share the same 3.50 GHz base clock.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in terms of process node and die size?

A: The Intel Core i9-9920X uses a 14 nm process with a die size of 484 mm², fabricated by Intel. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a die size listed as 2x 213 mm² and a transistor count of 9,600 million.

Q: What is the difference in PCIe lane support?

A: The Intel Core i9-9920X provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X offers 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD a 16-lane advantage for expansion.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins with a score of 21380, compared to the Intel Core i9-9920X's 21046. This represents a 1.6% margin in AMD's favor.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench multi-core, and by how much?

A: The Intel Core i9-9920X wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 9422, versus 7473 for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. This is a 26.1% advantage for Intel.

Q: What are the cache configurations for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-9920X has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 19.25 MB shared L3. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 32 MB of L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear split between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins in every Cinebench test, covering R15, R20, and R23 variants in both multi-core and single-core modes. The margins are consistent, ranging from -1.5% to -1.6% relative to Intel, meaning AMD holds a stable but modest lead across rendering workloads. For example, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, AMD scores 8979 against Intel's 8839, and in single-core, AMD scores 1267 versus 1247. This consistency suggests the Threadripper 2920X has a slight architectural advantage in Cinebench's specific workload patterns.

The Intel Core i9-9920X dominates Geekbench, winning multi-core by a massive 26.1% (9422 vs 7473) and single-core by 10% (1393 vs 1266). This is a stark contrast to the Cinebench results. The Geekbench multi-core win is particularly decisive, indicating that Intel's Skylake-X architecture excels at the types of parallel tasks Geekbench measures, even though it falls behind in Cinebench. For users whose primary applications resemble Geekbench's test suite, the Core i9-9920X offers substantially higher performance. For those running Cinebench-style rendering, the Threadripper 2920X is the consistent, if not overwhelming, winner.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core i9-9920X is based on the Skylake-X architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a monolithic die size of 484 mm². AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Colfax, manufactured on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries, with a dual-die design totaling 2x 213 mm² and 9,600 million transistors. The process node difference—12 nm versus 14 nm—gives AMD a manufacturing advantage, though Intel compensates with a larger single die.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. Intel allocates 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 19.25 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but a larger 32 MB L3 pool. This means AMD has more total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19.25 MB) and more L1 per core, while Intel has double the L2 per core. The memory bandwidth also differs: AMD lists 93.9 GB/s versus Intel's 85.3 GB/s, with both supporting quad-channel DDR4. Neither CPU supports ECC memory. Both are unlocked for overclocking, but their sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 2066, while AMD uses Socket SP3r2.

Specification Differences

Beyond architecture, the specification sheets show several points of divergence. The Intel Core i9-9920X has a TDP of 165 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is rated at 180 watts—a 15-watt difference that reflects AMD's higher power envelope. The boost clocks differ by 200 MHz, with Intel reaching 4.50 GHz versus AMD's 4.30 GHz, while base clocks are identical at 3.50 GHz. The PCIe lane count is a major difference: Intel provides 44 Gen 3 lanes, AMD provides 60 Gen 3 lanes, a 16-lane advantage for AMD.

The memory bandwidth figures show AMD ahead at 93.9 GB/s versus Intel's 85.3 GB/s, a difference of 8.6 GB/s. Production status also differs: Intel's Core i9-9920X is listed as end-of-life, while AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 2920X remains active. The release dates are close, with AMD launching on 2018-10-02 and Intel on 2018-10-18. Each has a unique part number: Intel's is SREZ6, AMD's is YD292XA8UC9AF. Both are desktop market segments with no integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear pattern of AMD winning rendering tests and Intel winning general-purpose tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2154 against Intel's 2121, a -1.5% delta. The single-core result follows suit: AMD 304, Intel 299, -1.6%. Moving to Cinebench R20, AMD wins multi-core 8979 to 8839 (-1.6%) and single-core 1267 to 1247 (-1.6%). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: AMD multi-core 21380 vs 21046 (-1.6%), and single-core 3018 vs 2971 (-1.6%). These six Cinebench tests all favor AMD with nearly identical margins, suggesting a consistent performance characteristic across Cinebench versions.

The Geekbench results flip the script dramatically. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i9-9920X scores 9422, which is 26.1% higher than AMD's 7473. This is the largest margin in any test. Geekbench single-core also goes to Intel, with 1393 versus 1266, a 10% advantage. The magnitude of Intel's Geekbench wins far exceeds AMD's Cinebench wins. While AMD's largest margin is 1.6%, Intel's smallest is 10%. This asymmetry means the choice of benchmark suite heavily influences which CPU appears superior. In total, AMD wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but Intel wins the two tests with the largest score gaps.

The Verdict

The data does not point to a single winner; it points to a workload-dependent decision. For users running Cinebench or similar rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the better choice. It wins every Cinebench test across R15, R20, and R23, with multi-core scores like 21380 versus 21046 in R23. The margins are modest—never exceeding 1.6%—but they are consistent across all six tests. The Threadripper 2920X also offers a higher memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s and more PCIe lanes (60 vs 44), which could benefit memory-intensive or expansion-heavy systems. Its production status is active, while Intel's chip is end-of-life.

For users whose workloads align with Geekbench—often more varied, mixed general-purpose tasks—the Intel Core i9-9920X is decisively ahead. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 9422 is 26.1% higher than AMD's 7473, and its single-core score of 1393 beats AMD's 1266 by 10%. These are not marginal differences; they are substantial performance leads. The Core i9-9920X also has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz and a lower TDP of 165 watts. Its average benchmark score of 5917 exceeds AMD's 5730, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2170B at a -1.1% delta, while AMD's nearest rival list includes the Intel Core i9-7920X at a 1% delta.

Ultimately, the choice hinges on the primary application. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the consistent winner in Cinebench rendering, with six narrow victories. The Intel Core i9-9920X is the overwhelming winner in Geekbench, with two large victories that boost its overall average score. Neither CPU dominates across all tests; instead, they each excel in distinct areas. The data suggests that a rendering-focused user would prefer AMD, while a general-purpose or Geekbench-oriented user would find Intel's performance more compelling. Both CPUs sit at the 61st percentile, but their benchmark profiles could not be more different.