AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Core i5-13500E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX and Intel Core i5-13500E represent two very different approaches to desktop computing. One is a 24-core workstation monster from AMD's 2000 series, built on the Zen+ architecture and designed for heavy multi-threaded lifting. The other is Intel's 14-core Raptor Lake part, a power-efficient chip aimed at mainstream desktops. The benchmark data in the database shows a clear pattern: the Threadripper wins every single recorded test, often by a consistent margin. But the story is more nuanced than a simple sweep, as the architecture, core counts, and platform differences tell a deeper tale about what each processor is actually for.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head benchmark comparisons between these two CPUs, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX takes all six. The margins are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 2651 against the Intel Core i5-13500E's 2295, a difference of 15.5%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 374 versus 323, which is a 15.8% advantage for AMD. This is notable because single-core performance is often where newer architectures pull ahead, yet here the older Zen+ design still leads.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. Multi-core sees the Threadripper at 11048 versus 9564, again a 15.5% lead. Single-core R20 gives 1559 against 1349, a 15.6% edge. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 26305 versus 22772, and single-core R23 shows 3713 versus 3214, both with a 15.5% delta. The consistency of these percentages suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

What does this mean in practical terms? The Threadripper 2970WX delivers roughly 15% more performance across the board in these render workloads. That is not a small gap. In multi-core tests, the difference is substantial: the Threadripper's 24 cores and 48 threads simply outmuscle the i5-13500E's 14 cores and 20 threads. Even in single-core tests, where the i5's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz might be expected to help, the Threadripper's 4.20 GHz boost still wins. The data suggests that the Zen+ cores in the Threadripper, despite being older, are efficient enough at these clock speeds to hold the lead.

The database also includes Geekbench results for the Threadripper, though not for the i5. The Threadripper scores 7195 in multi-core and 1236 in single-core. These numbers are useful for context, but without a comparable i5 result, they cannot be directly compared here. Still, the recorded head-to-head tests are comprehensive enough to establish a clear trend.

One interesting observation is that the Intel Core i5-13500E has no wins in the head-to-head data. The win count is six for AMD and zero for Intel. This is a clean sweep, but it does not tell the whole story. The i5-13500E is a lower-power part with a 65 W TDP, while the Threadripper is a 250 W beast. The performance gap comes at a cost in power consumption, though the database does not provide wattage figures for comparison. What the data does show is that in pure render performance, the Threadripper is unequivocally ahead.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark scores, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the faster processor in every measured workload. If the only question is "which CPU scores higher in Cinebench and Geekbench?", the answer is the Threadripper, and the margin is consistent at around 15%. For users who need maximum multi-threaded render performance, this is the clear choice from the data.

However, the Intel Core i5-13500E is not without merit. Its 65 W TDP suggests a far more efficient design, and its support for DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5 lanes indicates a modern platform. The i5 also has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), which the Threadripper lacks entirely. For a user building a system without a discrete GPU, the i5 is the only option between these two. The Threadripper requires a separate graphics card, which adds cost and complexity to a build.

The data also shows that both CPUs sit at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. Their average benchmark scores are close: the Threadripper averages 6760, while the i5 averages 6586. That is a difference of about 2.6%, which is far smaller than the head-to-head margins. This suggests that when averaged across a broader set of tests, the two are more evenly matched than the Cinebench results imply. The nearest rivals for the Threadripper include the Intel Core i7-12700E at 6776 (a 0.2% gap) and the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803 (a 0.6% gap). For the i5, the nearest rivals are the Intel Atom x7405C at 6568 (0.3% higher) and the Intel Core i9-10940X at 6605 (0.3% lower). These clusters indicate that neither CPU is an outlier in the broader landscape; they both sit in a competitive mid-to-high tier.

So the verdict is split by use case. For pure multi-threaded render workloads, the Threadripper wins. For a modern, efficient, integrated-graphics desktop, the i5 is the sensible pick. The data does not support calling one universally better; it supports calling one better for specific tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Threadripper 2970WX wins in every recorded benchmark, but its strengths are most pronounced in multi-core scenarios. The 24-core, 48-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache is built for parallel workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core, which stresses all cores simultaneously, shows the Threadripper at 26305, a score that reflects its ability to chew through long render tasks. The 93.9 GB/s memory bandwidth from its quad-channel DDR4 setup also helps feed those cores efficiently.

The i5-13500E, despite losing all head-to-head tests, wins in platform-level considerations. It has a 65 W TDP, which makes it feasible for smaller cooling solutions and lower overall system power draw. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility. Its PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes is a newer standard than the Threadripper's PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes, though the Threadripper offers more total lanes. The i5 also includes integrated graphics, so it can run without a discrete GPU for basic tasks.

In terms of market positioning, the Threadripper is a 2018 release with a launch MSRP of $1299, while the i5 is a 2023 release with no recorded launch price. The Threadripper was aimed at high-end desktop users, while the i5 targets mainstream builds. The data shows the Threadripper is faster, but the i5 is more versatile in terms of platform features.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13500E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

A: The Threadripper scores 26305, while the i5 scores 22772. The Threadripper leads by 15.5%.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The Threadripper supports DDR4 only, with a quad-channel bus. The i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Threadripper boosts to 4.20 GHz. Despite this, the Threadripper wins all single-core benchmarks.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Threadripper has an average benchmark score of 6760, while the i5 has an average of 6586. The difference is about 2.6%.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from entirely different design philosophies. The Threadripper 2970WX is built on AMD's Zen+ architecture, codenamed Colfax, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It has 24 cores with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The chip uses a multi-die design with a die size of 4x 213 mm² and a total transistor count of 19,200 million. Its cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 64 MB L3 cache. This is a high-core-count part designed for servers and workstations, using the AMD Socket SP3r2.

The i5-13500E is built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-S, using a 10 nm process from Intel. It has 14 cores (a mix of performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not break down the ratio) with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its die size is 215 mm², and it uses a single-die design. The cache includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. It uses Intel Socket 1700.

The process node difference is notable: 12 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel. The Intel part is newer (released in 2023) and uses a more advanced node, which likely contributes to its lower TDP of 65 W versus the Threadripper's 250 W. The Threadripper's multi-die design (4 separate dies) explains its larger total die area and higher transistor count, but it also contributes to higher power draw. The i5's single-die design is simpler and more power-efficient.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two CPUs are substantial. The Threadripper has more cores (24 versus 14) and threads (48 versus 20). Its base clock is higher at 3.00 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, but its boost clock is lower at 4.20 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. The TDP is dramatically different: 250 W for the Threadripper, 65 W for the i5.

Memory support separates them further. The Threadripper uses DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The i5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. The Threadripper does not support ECC memory, while the i5 does.

PCIe capabilities differ: the Threadripper offers PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Threadripper has no integrated graphics, while the i5 includes UHD Graphics 770. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked, while the i5's multiplier is locked.

The Threadripper was released in October 2018 with a launch MSRP of $1299. The i5 was released in January 2023 with no recorded launch MSRP. Both are marked as active in production. The Threadripper's part number is YD297XAZUHCAF, and the i5's is SRMFW. The Threadripper is a desktop segment part, as is the i5. The Threadripper's memory bus is quad-channel, the i5's is dual-channel. The Threadripper's L3 cache is 64 MB, the i5's is 24 MB shared. The Threadripper has a multi-die design, the i5 is a single die. These differences paint a picture of two CPUs aimed at different ends of the desktop market, with the Threadripper prioritizing raw throughput and the i5 prioritizing efficiency and modern platform features.