CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X and Intel Core i5-13400E represent two very different approaches to desktop computing: a 16-core, 32-thread HEDT flagship from 2018 versus a 10-core, 16-thread mainstream chip from 2023. Despite the generational gap, their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 6647 for the AMD part and 6638 for the Intel part, placing both at the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. The head-to-head data, however, tells a more nuanced story, with the Threadripper winning all six benchmark comparisons by a consistent margin.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins every single benchmark comparison in the data set, but the margins are uniformly narrow rather than decisive. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Threadripper scores 2523 against 2313 for the Core i5-13400E, a 9.1% advantage. The single-core result in the same test shows a 9.2% lead for AMD, with scores of 356 and 326 respectively. This pattern repeats across the Cinebench suite: R20 multicore sees AMD at 10516 versus Intel's 9639 (9.1% delta), and R20 single-core shows 1484 against 1360, again a 9.1% gap.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 25040 for the Threadripper and 22950 for the Core i5, while R23 single-core shows 3535 versus 3240, both exactly 9.1% in AMD's favor. This uniformity suggests the performance difference stems from a fundamental architectural advantage rather than workload-specific optimization. The Threadripper's 16 physical cores and 32 threads provide a substantial parallel throughput advantage, yet the margin never grows beyond roughly nine percent, indicating that the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz helps it stay competitive even with fewer cores.

The Geekbench results, though not part of the head-to-head table, reinforce this picture. The Threadripper posts a multicore score of 8469 and a single-core score of 1255, while the Intel part's Geekbench figures are absent from the pack. The overall average benchmark scores, 6647 for AMD versus 6638 for Intel, differ by only 0.1%, placing them as direct rivals in the database. The Intel Core i9-9940X sits marginally above both with an average score of 6657, while the Intel Core i9-12900E trails at 6611. Interestingly, the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 also appears in the rival list with a 6605 average score, demonstrating how closely clustered these disparate processors are in aggregate performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins all six head-to-head comparisons, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests. The Intel Core i5-13400E wins zero comparisons.

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

A: The Threadripper scores 25040 versus 22950 for the Core i5-13400E, a 9.1% difference in AMD's favor. This is identical to the delta observed in every other Cinebench test.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has an average benchmark score of 6647, while the Intel Core i5-13400E scores 6638. The difference is only 0.1%, which is why they appear as nearest rivals to each other.

Q: Does the Intel chip's higher boost clock translate into single-core victories?

A: No. Despite a boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared to 4.40 GHz for the Threadripper, the Intel Core i5-13400E loses every single-core test. The Threadripper leads by 9.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core and 9.1% in both R20 and R23 single-core tests.

Q: How do these processors compare to other rivals in the database?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X has an average score of 6657, placing it 0.1% above the Threadripper and 0.3% above the Core i5-13400E. The Intel Core i9-12900E scores 6611, while the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 scores 6605.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X offers 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-13400E provides 10 cores and 16 threads, six fewer cores and sixteen fewer threads.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow victory for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X in raw benchmark performance. It wins every head-to-head test by roughly nine percent, whether the workload is single-threaded or heavily parallel. For users prioritizing maximum Cinebench scores, the Threadripper is the stronger choice despite being the older design. Its 16-core, 32-thread configuration delivers 25040 in Cinebench R23 multicore, a figure the Core i5-13400E cannot match.

However, the Intel Core i5-13400E is not without merit. Its average benchmark score of 6638 trails by only 0.1%, meaning the aggregate performance picture is effectively a tie. The Intel part draws far less power, 65W TDP versus 180W, and includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The Threadripper requires a separate graphics card and draws nearly three times the power. Users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput for rendering or simulation workloads should lean toward the Threadripper. Those who value efficiency, integrated graphics, and a modern platform with DDR5 support may find the Core i5-13400E the more practical option, even if it loses the benchmark comparison.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. Core count is the most obvious divergence: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X packs 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13400E offers 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks also differ significantly, 3.50 GHz for AMD versus 2.40 GHz for Intel, though the Intel part boosts higher at 4.60 GHz compared to 4.40 GHz. Thermal design power tells a dramatic story: the Threadripper draws 180W, while the Core i5 operates at just 65W.

Memory support diverges as well. The Threadripper uses DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus and 93.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but runs dual-channel, with no memory bandwidth figure listed. ECC memory support is absent on the AMD part but present on the Intel chip. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Threadripper provides Gen 3 with 60 CPU lanes, while the Core i5 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are absent on the Threadripper but present on the Core i5 as UHD Graphics 730. The Threadripper's multiplier is unlocked, while the Core i5's is locked. Sockets are entirely different, SP3r2 for AMD versus Socket 1700 for Intel, and the launch MSRP of the Threadripper was $899, while no launch MSRP is listed for the Core i5.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is generational and fundamental. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X belongs to the 2000 series, built on the Zen+ architecture with the codename Colfax. It uses a 12nm process node fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 2x 213 mm² and 9,600 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-13400E is a Core 13th Gen part built on the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-S. Intel fabricates this chip on a 10nm process with a die size of 215 mm²; no transistor count is listed. The Threadripper's cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. The Core i5 uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper's launch date of 2018-08-30 predates the Core i5's 2023-01-03 release by over four years, yet both remain in active production. The Threadripper's part number is YD295XA8UGAAF, while the Core i5 carries the part number SRMG5.