AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Intel Core i9-7980XE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Intel Core i9-7980XE are two high-core-count desktop processors from the same era, but the recorded data shows a clear overall winner. Across eight benchmark tests, the Threadripper 2990WX takes seven victories, including every Cinebench test, while the Core i9-7980XE secures only a single win in Geekbench single-core. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 7578, compared to 7018 for the Intel part, a difference of roughly 8%. Both CPUs sit at the 63rd percentile among all processors in the database, indicating they occupy a similar tier of overall performance, but the Threadripper's consistent multi-threaded dominance and its narrower single-threaded losses define the comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i9-7980XE wins only 1, which is Geekbench single-core.

Q: What is the multicore performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Threadripper 2990WX scores 27370, while the Core i9-7980XE scores 25072. This gives AMD a 9.2% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any single-core test?

A: Yes. In Geekbench single-core, the Intel Core i9-7980XE scores 1435 versus 1303 for the AMD, a 9.2% lead for Intel. However, in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, the AMD chip actually wins by 9.1% to 9.3%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 32 cores and 64 threads. The Intel Core i9-7980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads. AMD provides 14 more cores and 28 more threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has an average benchmark score of 7578 across all tests. The Intel Core i9-7980XE has an average score of 7018.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and the Intel Core i9-7980XE have an unlocked multiplier, as indicated in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is built on the Zen+ architecture, with the codename Colfax, and belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper 2000 series generation. It is manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size consisting of four separate 213 mm² chiplets, totaling a combined 19,200 million transistors. In contrast, the Intel Core i9-7980XE uses the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-X, and is part of the Core i9 Extreme X-Series 7th Generation. Intel fabricates this chip on a 14 nm process, with a single 484 mm² die.

The cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD processor provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a 64 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a 24.75 MB shared L3 cache. This means the AMD chip offers more than double the total L3 cache (64 MB versus 24.75 MB), which can be significant for workloads with large working sets that need to be kept close to the cores.

Memory support is similar in type, as both use DDR4, and both feature quad-channel memory buses. However, the recorded memory bandwidth differs: the AMD processor reaches 93.9 GB/s, while the Intel processor reaches 85.3 GB/s. This gives AMD a roughly 10% advantage in theoretical memory bandwidth, which is consistent with its higher core count demanding more data throughput.

PCIe lane counts also diverge. The Threadripper 2990WX supports PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i9-7980XE supports PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes. For systems with multiple GPUs or NVMe drives, the AMD platform offers more headroom for expansion. The sockets differ as well: AMD uses Socket SP3r2, while Intel uses Socket 2066, meaning these processors are not interchangeable between platforms.

Power characteristics are also distinct. The AMD processor has a TDP of 250 watts, while the Intel processor has a TDP of 165 watts. The base clock for the Threadripper 2990WX is 3.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Core i9-7980XE starts lower at 2.60 GHz base but boosts higher to 4.40 GHz. The higher boost clock on the Intel chip helps explain its single-core Geekbench win, while the higher core count on the AMD chip drives its multicore advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are decisive in favor of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX, but the margins vary by test type. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD chip scores 2758 against 2527 for Intel, a 9.1% lead. Single-core in R15 shows a similar story: AMD scores 389, Intel scores 356, giving AMD a 9.3% advantage. This is notable because single-core performance is often expected to favor Intel, yet the data shows the opposite in this older Cinebench version.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. In multicore, the Threadripper 2990WX scores 11495, while the Core i9-7980XE scores 10530, a 9.2% gap. In single-core, AMD scores 1622 versus 1486 for Intel, again a 9.2% gap. The consistency of the 9.1% to 9.3% deltas across these tests suggests a stable per-core advantage for the AMD design in Cinebench workloads, despite the Intel chip's higher boost clock.

Cinebench R23, which is a more modern iteration, continues the trend. Multicore results show AMD at 27370 and Intel at 25072, a 9.2% lead for AMD. Single-core results show AMD at 3864 and Intel at 3539, another 9.2% lead. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD processor wins by margins ranging from 9.1% to 9.3%, indicating that the Zen+ architecture provides a consistent advantage in rendering and 3D modeling tasks that rely heavily on both single and multi-threaded performance.

Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD processor wins with 11821 against 11198, a 5.6% lead. This is a smaller margin than the Cinebench tests, but still a clear win for AMD. However, in Geekbench single-core, the Intel Core i9-7980XE takes its only victory: 1435 versus 1303, which is a 9.2% lead for Intel. This suggests that the Geekbench single-core test favors the higher 4.40 GHz boost clock of the Intel chip, while the AMD chip's lower 4.20 GHz boost clock holds it back in this specific workload.

Looking at the broader picture, the AMD processor wins 7 of 8 tests, and its losses are limited to a single Geekbench subtest. The average benchmark score difference, 7578 versus 7018, reflects the fact that most tests are multicore-heavy, where the 32-core AMD design has a substantial advantage over the 18-core Intel design. The Intel chip's 4.40 GHz boost clock helps in lightly threaded scenarios, but that advantage does not translate to wins in the Cinebench suite.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field, making them distinct choices for different platforms.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX | Intel Core i9-7980XE |

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

| Cores | 32 | 18 |

| Threads | 64 | 36 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 250 W | 165 W |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 4x 213 mm² | 484 mm² |

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

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

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

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

| PCIe Lanes | 60 (Gen 3) | 44 (Gen 3) |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3r2 | Intel Socket 2066 |

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

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Launch MSRP | $1799 | $1999 |

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

| Release Date | 2018-08-12 | 2017-08-31 |

The core count difference is the most striking: 32 versus 18, which translates to 64 versus 36 threads. This gives the AMD processor a 77.8% thread advantage on paper, though benchmark results show a smaller performance gap, indicating that per-thread efficiency differs. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock (4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz) and a higher L2 cache per core (1 MB versus 512 KB), which helps close the gap in some scenarios.

The TDP difference is also notable, with the AMD processor consuming 250 watts versus 165 watts for Intel. This higher power draw is a consequence of the additional cores, but it also means cooling and power delivery requirements are more demanding for the AMD platform. The process node difference (12 nm versus 14 nm) reflects AMD's newer manufacturing technology at the time, though the Intel chip uses a larger but single monolithic die.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the superior processor for multi-threaded workloads. It wins every Cinebench test, both single and multi-core, and also wins Geekbench multicore. Its 32-core, 64-thread configuration provides a decisive advantage in rendering, video encoding, and other parallel tasks, with margins of 9.1% to 9.3% in Cinebench. The Intel Core i9-7980XE only wins in Geekbench single-core, a narrow victory that does not offset the seven losses elsewhere.

For users prioritizing raw thread throughput, the Threadripper 2990WX is the obvious choice. The higher core count, larger L3 cache (64 MB versus 24.75 MB), and higher memory bandwidth (93.9 GB/s versus 85.3 GB/s) all support sustained multi-threaded performance. The Intel chip's advantages, namely its higher 4.40 GHz boost clock and lower TDP, are less impactful in the tested benchmarks, as evidenced by its single win.

The Intel Core i9-7980XE may still appeal to users who need the highest possible single-thread performance in Geekbench-like workloads, or who prefer a platform with lower power consumption. However, the production status shows the Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD chip remains active, suggesting longer-term availability for the AMD part. The launch MSRP also favors AMD: $1799 versus $1999, though this is a one-time reference and not a commentary on current pricing.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX wins in all multi-threaded scenarios. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all show a 9.1% to 9.2% lead over the Intel chip. Geekbench multicore also goes to AMD, with a 5.6% margin. This makes the Threadripper the better choice for rendering, 3D animation, video transcoding, scientific simulations, and any workload that can use more than 18 cores. The 64 MB L3 cache and 93.9 GB/s memory bandwidth provide additional headroom for data-intensive tasks.

Surprisingly, the AMD chip also wins in Cinebench single-core tests, despite the Intel chip's higher boost clock. In R15, R20, and R23 single-core, the Threadripper leads by 9.1% to 9.3%. This suggests that the Zen+ architecture delivers better single-threaded efficiency in these specific rendering workloads, even at a lower boost clock. For users who run Cinebench as a benchmark or use Cinema 4D, the AMD chip offers better performance in both single and multi-threaded modes.

The Intel Core i9-7980XE wins only in Geekbench single-core, with a 9.2% lead (1435 versus 1303). This makes it the better choice for applications that are heavily dependent on single-threaded performance and are similar to the Geekbench single-core test pattern, such as certain legacy software, some office applications, or lightly threaded games. The higher 4.40 GHz boost clock is the primary driver for this win, along with the larger 1 MB L2 cache per core, which can reduce latency for frequently accessed data.

The Intel chip also has a lower TDP of 165 watts versus 250 watts, which may make it easier to cool in compact systems, though the database does not provide thermal testing data to confirm real-world differences. For users who prioritize power efficiency over raw performance, the Intel chip has a theoretical advantage, but the benchmark data shows it sacrifices performance in most tests to achieve that lower power envelope.