AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X vs Intel Core i3-1115G4 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a stark contrast between these two processors. Across the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X claims seven decisive victories, while the Intel Core i3-1115G4 manages a single, narrow win. The margin of victory for the Threadripper is consistently overwhelming, with a delta of -80.3% against the i3 in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. This uniformity is striking: from Cinebench R15 multi-core (2523 vs 497) to R23 single-core (3535 vs 696), the Threadripper maintains the exact same proportional advantage.

The Geekbench multi-core test tells a similar story, though the gap narrows slightly. The Threadripper scores 8469 against the i3's 2465, a delta of -70.9%. This still represents a massive lead, but the reduced percentage compared to the Cinebench tests suggests the workload characteristics differ. The one bright spot for the Intel part appears in Geekbench single-core, where it wins 1330 to 1255, a modest 6% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the i3-1115G4 outperforms the Threadripper, and it is the only test where the delta is in single digits.

Looking at the broader benchmark suite, the Threadripper's dominance in raw throughput is undeniable. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25040 is more than five times the i3's 4933. The Cinebench R20 multi-core result shows 10516 versus 2071, and R15 multi-core shows 2523 versus 497. Each of these tests measures sustained all-core loading, and the Threadripper's 16 cores and 32 threads simply overwhelm the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads.

The single-core Cinebench results are more revealing of architectural efficiency. The Threadripper still wins by the same -80.3% delta, but the absolute scores (356 vs 70 in R15, 1484 vs 292 in R20, 3535 vs 696 in R23) show that even a single Threadripper core is far faster than a single i3 core in these specific tests. This is a critical data point: the i3's lone Geekbench single-core victory does not translate to Cinebench single-core, suggesting workload-specific behavior.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is clearly defined by the data. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the unequivocal choice for any workload that scales with core count or benefits from high per-thread throughput in rendering engines. Its Cinebench scores, often used as a proxy for 3D rendering and animation workloads, are categorically superior. The 25040 R23 multi-core score versus 4933 indicates a processor designed for heavy parallel compute, content creation, and scientific simulation.

The Intel Core i3-1115G4 has a much narrower domain of superiority. The Geekbench single-core win (1330 vs 1255, a 6% delta) hints at an advantage in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive applications where a single thread's responsiveness matters more than brute force. This could translate to everyday desktop tasks, light productivity, or older software that relies on a single primary thread. However, the i3's other single-core results in Cinebench do not support this narrative, as the Threadripper wins those by a landslide. The data suggests the i3's win is isolated to the specific Geekbench workload, not a general single-core superiority.

For multi-threaded productivity, the Threadripper's 8469 Geekbench multi-core score against 2465 reinforces its position. The i3's Passmark results, including a 5915 multithread score and 2585 singlethread score, do not have direct Threadripper counterparts in the head-to-head data, but the Cinebench and Geekbench deltas make the outcome predictable. The Threadripper is the workstation-class part; the i3 is a mobile-oriented chip that wins only in a narrow, specific scenario.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-1115G4 is built on the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically the Tiger Lake-U codename, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, a configuration aimed at power-efficient mobile computing. Its die size is listed as 144 mm², and it has an integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 GPU, which the Threadripper lacks entirely.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is a desktop-class part built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Colfax, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It is a much larger silicon, with a die size listed as 2x 213 mm² and a transistor count of 9,600 million. This is a high-end desktop processor designed for maximum throughput, with 16 cores and 32 threads. The Threadripper uses a socket SP3r2, while the i3 uses Intel BGA 1449, reflecting their different market segments.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i3-1115G4 has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 of 1.25 MB per core, and a shared L3 of 6 MB. The Threadripper has a smaller L1 per core (96 KB), a smaller L2 per core (512 KB), but a vastly larger L3 of 32 MB. This larger shared cache likely helps feed its 16 cores, while the i3's larger per-core L2 might benefit its limited thread count.

Memory support and PCIe lanes further differentiate them. The i3 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus, with PCIe Gen 4 limited to 4 CPU lanes. The Threadripper supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus, with a listed memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s, and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 60 CPU lanes. The Threadripper's memory bandwidth is a major advantage for data-intensive workloads, while the i3's PCIe Gen 4 support is modern but limited in lane count.

Specification Differences

The specification tables show clear disparities in almost every category. The Threadripper has 16 cores and 32 threads versus the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is 3.50 GHz and boost clock is 4.40 GHz, while the i3 runs at 2.20 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The Threadripper's TDP is 180 W, a massive figure compared to the i3's 15 W, reflecting its desktop orientation versus the i3's mobile design.

The Threadripper has a higher launch MSRP of $899, while the i3 is listed at $281. The Threadripper is also multiplier unlocked, allowing overclocking, whereas the i3 is locked. The Threadripper uses a 12 nm process and has a transistor count of 9,600 million, while the i3 uses a 10 nm process with no listed transistor count. The Threadripper's die is 2x 213 mm² versus the i3's 144 mm².

Memory support is another divider: the i3 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the Threadripper supports only DDR4. The Threadripper has a quad-channel memory bus with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3 has a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth listed. The Threadripper offers 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, the i3 offers 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The i3 has integrated graphics, the Threadripper does not. Release dates also differ: the i3 launched on 2020-09-01, the Threadripper on 2018-08-30.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with the Intel Core i3-1115G4 winning only the Geekbench single-core test.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Threadripper scores 25040, while the i3 scores 4933, resulting in a delta of -80.3% favoring the Threadripper.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-1115G4 faster in any single test?

A: Yes, it wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1330 versus 1255, a 6% advantage.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Threadripper has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i3 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Threadripper has a TDP of 180 W, while the i3 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Threadripper has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the i3 has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the superior processor for almost any compute-intensive task. Its Cinebench scores, Geekbench multi-core score, and core/thread configuration establish it as a high-throughput workstation part. The 16-core, 32-thread design, combined with a 32 MB L3 cache and 93.9 GB/s memory bandwidth, makes it the obvious choice for rendering, compilation, and parallel processing workloads. The percentile ranking of 62 against all CPUs, while slightly lower than the i3's 63, does not offset the massive benchmark deltas.

The Intel Core i3-1115G4 has a single, narrow claim: a 6% win in Geekbench single-core. This suggests it may be suitable for very light, single-threaded tasks where the Threadripper's overhead is unnecessary. However, its Cinebench single-core scores are far lower (70 vs 356 in R15, 292 vs 1484 in R20, 696 vs 3535 in R23), meaning this advantage is not consistent across all single-threaded tests. The i3's 15 W TDP and integrated graphics make it a mobile-focused chip, but the recorded data offers no evidence that it can compete with the Threadripper in sustained performance.

For a user choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload. If the priority is multi-core throughput, the Threadripper is the only rational pick. If the priority is a specific single-threaded Geekbench workload, the i3 has a marginal edge, but the Threadripper's other single-core results undermine that case. The data overwhelmingly favors the Threadripper for general use, with the i3 reserved for niche, low-power, single-thread scenarios.