AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Core i9-7980XE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two high-core-count desktop processors. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX claims victory in six of the eight recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i9-7980XE takes the remaining two with decisive margins.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the AMD part consistently outperforms Intel across every iteration. In Cinebench R15, the Threadripper 2970WX scores 2651 versus 2527 for the Core i9-7980XE, a 4.7 percent advantage in multi-core. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 374 versus 356, a 4.8 percent gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds almost identically with the AMD chip scoring 11048 against 10530, again a 4.7 percent lead, while single-core shows 1559 versus 1486, also 4.7 percent. Cinebench R23 repeats this exact delta: the Threadripper posts 26305 versus 25072 in multi-core and 3713 versus 3539 in single-core, both 4.7 percent advantages.

The Geekbench results, however, tell a completely different story. Here, the Intel Core i9-7980XE dominates. In Geekbench multi-core, Intel scores 11198 against AMD's 7195, a staggering 55.6 percent advantage. The single-core Geekbench test also favors Intel, 1435 versus 1236, representing a 16.1 percent lead. This divergence between benchmark suites is striking and suggests the two processors have fundamentally different performance characteristics depending on the workload.

The data shows that the Threadripper 2970WX holds a consistent 4.7 percent edge across the Cinebench tests, which are heavily threaded rendering workloads. Meanwhile, the Core i9-7980XE's massive Geekbench multi-core advantage indicates that Intel's architecture handles that particular test suite significantly better, likely due to differences in how the two chips manage memory access and thread scheduling.

In terms of overall benchmark averages, the Intel chip ranks slightly higher with an average score of 7018, placing it at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs. The AMD part averages 6760, good for the 62nd percentile. The nearest rivals in the database for Intel include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 at 6992 (0.4 percent behind), the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 at 6969 (0.7 percent behind), and the Intel Core i9-9960X at 6938 (1.2 percent behind). The AMD EPYC 7302P sits 1.1 percent ahead at 7100. For the Threadripper, its closest competitors include the Intel Core i7-12700E at 6776 (0.2 percent ahead of AMD), the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803 (0.6 percent ahead), the Intel Xeon D-2775TE at 6711 (0.7 percent behind), and the Intel Xeon Gold 5317 at 6710 (0.7 percent behind).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins six of the eight recorded tests. It takes all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core versions), while the Intel Core i9-7980XE wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the Cinebench performance gap between the two chips?

A: The Threadripper 2970WX leads by exactly 4.7 percent in five of the six Cinebench tests, with the single-core R15 test showing a 4.8 percent advantage. These are consistent margins across all Cinebench versions.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i9-7980XE show its biggest advantage?

A: The Intel chip's largest win comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 11198 against the AMD's 7195, a 55.6 percent lead. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 16.1 percent, scoring 1435 versus 1236.

Q: How do these processors rank against all CPUs in the database?

A: The Intel Core i9-7980XE sits at the 63rd percentile with an average benchmark score of 7018, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX ranks at the 62nd percentile with an average of 6760.

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

A: For the Intel chip, the closest rival is the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 with an average score of 6992, just 0.4 percent behind. For the AMD chip, the Intel Core i7-12700E is the nearest competitor at 6776, sitting 0.2 percent ahead.

Q: Does the AMD processor have a higher core count?

A: Yes, the Threadripper 2970WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i9-7980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads. This core advantage likely explains the AMD chip's consistent Cinebench wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The Intel Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-X codename, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. It features 18 cores and 36 threads with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The die size measures 484 mm² and the thermal design power is 165 watts.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, by contrast, uses the Zen+ architecture under the Colfax codename, manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 24 cores and 48 threads with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The chip consists of four dies, each measuring 213 mm², for a combined die area that reflects its multi-die design. The transistor count is listed at 19,200 million, and the TDP is substantially higher at 250 watts.

Cache configurations also differ markedly. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 24.75 MB of L3 cache. AMD offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the AMD side likely contributes to its Cinebench performance, while the per-core L2 differences reflect each architecture's approach to memory hierarchy.

Memory support shows both chips using DDR4 with quad-channel memory buses. Intel's memory bandwidth is rated at 85.3 GB/s, while AMD's is higher at 93.9 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory according to the database. PCIe connectivity differs significantly: Intel provides Gen 3 with 44 lanes from the CPU, while AMD offers Gen 3 with 60 lanes from the CPU, giving the Threadripper greater expansion capability.

The socket platforms are entirely different, with Intel using Socket 2066 and AMD using Socket SP3r2. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, allowing overclocking. The Intel chip was released on August 31, 2017, while the AMD part arrived later on October 1, 2018. Intel's processor is listed as end-of-life, while AMD's remains active in production. The launch MSRP for the Intel chip was $1999, and for the AMD chip it was $1299.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture that depends heavily on which benchmark suite one prioritizes. For users focused on Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the clear choice. Its 24 cores and 48 threads deliver a consistent 4.7 percent advantage across all Cinebench versions, both multi-core and single-core. This consistency across different Cinebench iterations suggests a fundamental architectural edge for AMD in these specific workloads.

However, the Geekbench results cannot be ignored. The Intel Core i9-7980XE's 55.6 percent lead in Geekbench multi-core is a massive margin, and its 16.1 percent single-core advantage is also substantial. For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench's test patterns, the Intel chip would be dramatically faster. The overall average benchmark scores place Intel slightly ahead at 7018 versus 6760, and the Intel part achieves the 63rd percentile compared to AMD's 62nd.

The AMD processor offers more cores, a larger L3 cache, higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes. It also carries a lower launch MSRP of $1299 compared to Intel's $1999. The Intel chip counters with higher boost clocks (4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz) and a much lower TDP of 165 watts versus 250 watts, which could matter for system cooling and power delivery requirements.

The database shows that nearest rivals for each chip are tightly clustered. The Intel Core i9-7980XE's closest competitors include the Xeon Platinum 8260 and the Core i9-9960X, all within 1.2 percent. The AMD chip's rivals include the Core i7-12700E and Xeon Gold 6154, also within 0.7 percent. This tight clustering indicates that both processors occupy comparable performance tiers despite their architectural differences.

Selecting between these two depends on workload type. The Threadripper 2970WX is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering tasks and offers more cores, cache, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lanes. The Core i9-7980XE is preferable for Geekbench-style workloads where its advantage is overwhelming, and it does so with significantly lower power consumption.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-7980XE | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 18 | 24 |

| Threads | 36 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 165 W | 250 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | AMD Socket SP3r2 |

| Architecture | Skylake (Skylake-X) | Zen+ (Colfax) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not listed | 19,200 million |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 4x 213 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB (shared) | 64 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 93.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 60 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2017-08-31 | 2018-10-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $1999 | $1299 |

| Part Number | SR3RS | YD297XAZUHCAF |