AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X vs Intel Pentium Gold G6405 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X and Intel Pentium Gold G6405 represent opposite ends of the desktop processor spectrum, yet both hold the same 62nd percentile ranking among all CPUs. The Threadripper 2950X is a 16-core, 32-thread workstation-class chip built on AMD's Zen+ architecture, while the Pentium Gold G6405 is a 2-core, 4-thread budget part based on Intel's Comet Lake design. Despite the massive core count difference, their average benchmark scores sit nearly identical—6647 for the AMD part versus 6605 for the Intel—making this a fascinating comparison of extreme multithreading versus high base clock efficiency.

FAQ

Q: How do the average benchmark scores of the two processors compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has an average benchmark score of 6647, while the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 scores 6605. This places the AMD part 0.6% ahead, and both chips share the same 62nd percentile ranking among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Threadripper 2950X wins decisively in every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25040 versus the Pentium's 3266, a 666.7% advantage. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD chip leads 10516 to 1371, a 667% margin.

Q: Does the Pentium Gold G6405 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the AMD processor winning all 5 benchmark comparisons, with the Pentium Gold G6405 recording 0 wins. The AMD chip leads by 666.7% to 668.9% across the tested Cinebench workloads.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X features 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Pentium Gold G6405 has 2 cores and 4 threads. This 8x core advantage explains the AMD chip's dominance in heavily threaded workloads.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth capabilities differ?

A: The Threadripper 2950X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The Pentium Gold G6405 uses dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part offers more than twice the theoretical memory throughput.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has a launch MSRP of $899. The Intel Pentium Gold G6405 has a launch MSRP of $64.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectures with distinct design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is built on the Zen+ architecture with the Colfax codename, fabricated on a 12nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses 9,600 million transistors spread across two 213 mm² dies, reflecting its high-core-count workstation design. The Intel Pentium Gold G6405 uses the Comet Lake architecture with the Comet Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 14nm process.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially between the two. The Threadripper 2950X allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a total of 32 MB of L3 cache. The Pentium Gold G6405 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's larger cache allocations support its 16-core design, while the Intel part makes do with more modest resources for its 2-core layout.

Memory architecture also sets them apart. The Threadripper 2950X uses a quad-channel memory bus with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the Pentium Gold G6405 operates on a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory, and neither has ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD chip provides 60 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel part offers only 16 Gen 3 lanes. The Pentium Gold G6405 includes integrated UHD Graphics 610, while the Threadripper 2950X has no integrated graphics.

The Threadripper 2950X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking flexibility, while the Pentium Gold G6405 is locked. The two processors also use different sockets: the AMD chip fits into AMD Socket SP3r2, and the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1200. The Threadripper 2950X was released on 2018-08-30, while the Pentium Gold G6405 launched later on 2021-03-15.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the overwhelming performance winner in every head-to-head test. Its 16 cores and 32 threads deliver 666.7% to 668.9% higher scores across all Cinebench workloads, from single-core to multi-core. For any workload that scales with thread count—rendering, video encoding, scientific computing—the Threadripper 2950X is the only rational choice based on this data.

The Intel Pentium Gold G6405, despite its much lower core count, achieves a nearly identical average benchmark score (6605 versus 6647) due to its high 4.10 GHz base clock and the specific benchmark mix in its test suite. However, it does not win a single head-to-head comparison. Its 2 cores and 4 threads limit it to light desktop tasks, and its integrated UHD Graphics 610 provides a feature the Threadripper lacks. The Pentium's 58W TDP is far lower than the Threadripper's 180W, making it a significantly more power-efficient option.

Data-driven recommendations: choose the Threadripper 2950X for multithreaded productivity and content creation workloads, where its 25040 Cinebench R23 multi-core score demonstrates massive parallel capability. Choose the Pentium Gold G6405 only if you need a low-power desktop processor with integrated graphics for basic tasks, as its single-core performance—461 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 3535 for the AMD—still trails by 666.8%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X | Intel Pentium Gold G6405 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 16 | 2 |

| Threads | 32 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | None |

| TDP | 180 W | 58 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3r2 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen+ | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Colfax | Comet Lake-R |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,600 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 2x 213 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 93.9 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 60 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 610 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $899 | $64 |

| Release Date | 2018-08-30 | 2021-03-15 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, with all five benchmark comparisons showing massive margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 2523 against the Pentium's 329, a 666.9% lead. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 10516 for the AMD chip versus 1371 for the Intel, a 667% difference. These results underscore the Threadripper's 16-core advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core performance tells a slightly different story but still favors the AMD part decisively. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Threadripper 2950X posts 1484, while the Pentium Gold G6405 manages only 193—a 668.9% gap. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the AMD chip at 3535 and the Intel part at 461, a 666.8% difference. Even the Pentium's high 4.10 GHz base clock cannot overcome the architectural efficiency and higher boost clock of the Threadripper, which reaches 4.40 GHz.

The largest absolute margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Threadripper's 25040 score dwarfs the Pentium's 3266, representing a 666.7% advantage. This test likely reflects the full utilization of all 16 cores and 32 threads, a workload the 2-core Pentium simply cannot handle competitively. The data shows consistent improvement for the AMD part as core count becomes more relevant, though the single-core tests also demonstrate that the Zen+ architecture outperforms Comet Lake per-thread in these benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins in every measured benchmark category in the head-to-head comparison. Its strongest performance comes in multi-core workloads, where the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25040 demonstrates exceptional parallel processing capability. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration makes it suitable for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and any other task that can utilize multiple threads simultaneously. Its 93.9 GB/s memory bandwidth and quad-channel support further enhance performance in memory-intensive applications, while 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide extensive connectivity for expansion cards and storage.

The Intel Pentium Gold G6405, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own niche based on the specification data. Its 58W TDP makes it a low-power option compared to the Threadripper's 180W, which could be advantageous for basic office work, web browsing, and light productivity tasks that do not require high thread counts. The integrated UHD Graphics 610 eliminates the need for a discrete graphics card in simple desktop configurations, a feature entirely absent from the Threadripper 2950X. The Pentium's 4.10 GHz base clock, while insufficient to beat the AMD chip in single-core tests, still provides responsive performance for everyday tasks.

For users prioritizing raw computational power in multithreaded applications, the Threadripper 2950X is the clear winner based on its 666.7% to 668.9% margins across all tested workloads. For users building a simple, low-power desktop with integrated graphics and minimal cooling requirements, the Pentium Gold G6405 offers a functional alternative, though its benchmark scores place it far behind in every measured category. The data does not show any benchmark where the Intel part outperforms the AMD chip, making the Threadripper the superior choice for any performance-focused application.