AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Core i9-12900E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX dominates in Cinebench across all versions, while the Intel Core i9-12900E takes a decisive lead in Geekbench. The database records six wins for the AMD processor and two for the Intel processor, but the margin of victory tells a more nuanced story.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper 2970WX scores 2651 against the i9-12900E's 2371, a lead of 11.8%. The single-core result follows the same pattern, with the AMD part scoring 374 versus 334, a 12% advantage. This is notable because single-core performance is typically where Intel's higher boost clocks give it an edge, yet the recorded data shows the opposite.

Cinebench R20 and R23 repeat the identical 11.8% delta in both multi-core and single-core tests. The Threadripper 2970WX posts 11048 in R20 multi-core versus 9882 for the i9-12900E, and 1559 versus 1394 in single-core. In R23, the AMD processor reaches 26305 multi-core and 3713 single-core, while the Intel chip manages 23529 and 3321 respectively. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD processor holds a consistent 11.8% to 12% advantage.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The Intel Core i9-12900E scores 10280 in multi-core versus 7195 for the Threadripper, a 30% advantage. In single-core, the Intel part scores 1775 against 1236, a 30.4% lead. These are substantial margins, nearly three times larger than the Cinebench deltas in the AMD's favor.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the Threadripper 2970WX records 6760 versus 6611 for the i9-12900E, a modest overall edge of about 2.3%. Both processors sit at the 62nd percentile against all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy a similar tier of overall performance despite their divergent strengths.

The nearest rivals for the AMD processor include the Intel Core i7-12700E at 6776 average score, a negligible 0.2% difference, and the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803, 0.6% ahead. The Intel Core i9-12900E's closest competitors include the Intel Core i9-10940X at 6605, a 0.1% difference, and the Intel Core i5-13500E at 6586, 0.4% behind. These rival comparisons place both processors in a crowded performance band where small deltas separate many options.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads as measured by Cinebench, and choose the Intel Core i9-12900E for mixed workloads where Geekbench's broader performance profile matters more.

The Threadripper 2970WX wins all six Cinebench tests with a consistent 11.8% to 12% margin. This consistency across multiple Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23) indicates a stable performance advantage in rendering tasks that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. The 24-core, 48-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel DDR4 memory appears well-suited to these workloads.

The i9-12900E counters with a 30% to 30.4% lead in Geekbench, which measures a different mix of integer, floating-point, and memory operations. Its 16-core, 24-thread hybrid architecture with a 5.00 GHz boost clock and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory gives it a clear edge in this benchmark's workload profile.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the Threadripper 2970WX is the data-backed choice. For users whose applications correlate more closely with Geekbench scores, the i9-12900E offers a substantial advantage. The overall average benchmark score slightly favors the AMD processor, but the margin is small enough that workload-specific performance should drive the decision.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, all Cinebench variants. The Intel Core i9-12900E wins the remaining 2 Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the AMD processor's Cinebench lead?

A: The Threadripper 2970WX leads by 11.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core, and by 12% in R15 single-core.

Q: How large is the Intel processor's Geekbench lead?

A: The i9-12900E leads by 30% in Geekbench multi-core (10280 vs 7195) and by 30.4% in single-core (1775 vs 1236).

Q: Do both processors have similar overall performance ratings?

A: Both processors sit at the 62nd percentile against all CPUs. The AMD processor has an average benchmark score of 6760, and the Intel processor scores 6611, a difference of about 2.3%.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor according to the database?

A: For the Threadripper 2970WX, the Intel Core i7-12700E is 0.2% ahead, and the Intel Xeon D-2775TE and Xeon Gold 5317 are each 0.7% behind. For the i9-12900E, the Intel Core i9-10940X and Pentium Gold G6405 are each 0.1% ahead, and the Core i5-13400E is 0.4% behind.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12900E has 16 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD and 2.30 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.20 GHz for AMD and 5.00 GHz for Intel.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the Threadripper 2970WX has a TDP of 250 watts, while the i9-12900E is rated at 65 watts. The AMD processor uses Socket SP3r2, and the Intel processor uses Socket 1700.

Memory support diverges as well. The Threadripper 2970WX supports DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The i9-12900E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and the database records no specific memory bandwidth figure for it.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The AMD processor provides Gen 3 with 60 CPU-only lanes, while the Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU-only lanes. The i9-12900E includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the Threadripper 2970WX has no integrated graphics listed.

Both processors have unlocked multipliers and are currently marked as active in production. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $1299, and the Intel part has a launch MSRP of $494.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is generational and structural. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses the Zen+ architecture with the Colfax codename, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 19,200 million transistors across a die size of 4x 213 mm². The cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache.

The Intel Core i9-12900E uses the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. Its die size is 215 mm², and the database records no transistor count. The cache layout differs: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

The cache configuration reflects a fundamental design divergence. The Threadripper 2970WX offers more than double the L3 cache at 64 MB versus 30 MB, and its per-core L1 is larger at 96 KB versus 80 KB. The Intel processor compensates with a much larger per-core L2 at 1.25 MB versus 512 KB.

The memory controllers differ in channel count and bandwidth. The AMD processor uses a quad-channel interface achieving 93.9 GB/s, while the Intel processor uses dual-channel with no recorded bandwidth figure. Neither processor supports ECC memory according to the database.

The production timelines place these chips in different eras. The Threadripper 2970WX released on 2018-10-01, while the i9-12900E released on 2022-01-03. Both remain in active production status.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins in all Cinebench scenarios, making it the data-backed choice for workloads that resemble Cinebench's rendering pipeline. Its 11.8% to 12% advantage across R15, R20, and R23, in both multi-core and single-core modes, suggests a consistent edge in tasks that stress floating-point computation and memory bandwidth. The larger 64 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory at 93.9 GB/s likely contribute to this sustained performance. The 24-core, 48-thread configuration provides ample parallelism for heavily threaded workloads.

The Intel Core i9-12900E wins decisively in Geekbench, with a 30% to 30.4% margin. This makes it the better choice for applications whose performance correlates with Geekbench's mixed workload profile, which includes compression, cryptography, and simulation tasks. The 5.00 GHz boost clock and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory give it flexibility in memory configuration. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a display output without a discrete GPU, which may be relevant for certain system builds.

The overall average benchmark scores place the processors in the same percentile tier, but the workload split is stark. Users running Cinebench-style rendering workloads should prefer the Threadripper 2970WX. Users running Geekbench-correlated applications should prefer the i9-12900E. The 30% Geekbench swings are more than double the 11.8% Cinebench swings, so the Intel processor's wins are proportionally larger in magnitude, even though it wins fewer tests.