AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs Intel Core i5-1135G7 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and Intel Core i5-1135G7 occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, and the benchmark data reflects that chasm. The Threadripper is a 24-core desktop behemoth aimed at heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the i5 is a 4-core mobile chip designed for efficiency. The results are predictably lopsided, with the AMD part winning 13 of the 14 head-to-head tests, but the single Intel victory and the nature of the losses tell a nuanced story about raw throughput versus per-thread agility.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the sheer scale of the AMD processor’s multi-core dominance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper 3960X scores 46,557 against the i5-1135G7’s 7,909, a delta of 488.7%. This pattern repeats across nearly every threaded workload. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a 488.8% advantage (19,553 vs. 3,321), and R15 multi-core shows a 488.7% gap (4,692 vs. 797). The 3DMark max-threads test is even more extreme, with the AMD part winning by 415.2% (13,978 vs. 2,713).

These numbers are not incremental improvements; they represent a different performance class entirely. The Threadripper’s 24 cores and 48 threads simply overwhelm the i5’s 4 cores and 8 threads in any workload that scales. In Geekbench multi-core, the AMD chip leads by 237.9% (13,326 vs. 3,944), and even in 3DMark’s 16-thread test, which is less core-hungry than max-threads, the advantage remains a massive 284.9% (9,989 vs. 2,595).

The margins narrow as thread counts drop, but the AMD part still wins decisively. In 3DMark’s 8-thread test, the Threadripper leads by 112.8% (5,267 vs. 2,475). At 4 threads, the gap shrinks to 39.1% (2,775 vs. 1,995). Even at 2 threads, the AMD part edges out a 6.5% win (1,436 vs. 1,348). The single-threaded 3DMark test is the lone exception: the Intel chip wins by 9.5% (801 vs. 725). However, this is an outlier, as the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests all show the Threadripper winning by margins between 488.9% and 491.1%. The Geekbench single-core test also goes to AMD, with an 18.6% lead (1,681 vs. 1,417).

Where Each One Wins

For the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, the wins are universal across almost every metric. It is the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, scientific simulation, and any other workload that can utilize more than a handful of cores. The Cinebench results are particularly telling: a 488.7% lead in R23 multi-core means a render that takes the i5 an hour would take the Threadripper roughly twelve minutes. The 3DMark max-threads result (13,978 vs. 2,713) reinforces this, showing that the AMD part scales far better when all resources are engaged. The Geekbench multi-core score of 13,326 versus 3,944 further confirms that content creation and compilation tasks will see massive speedups.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7’s single win is in the 3DMark single-thread test, where it scores 801 versus 725. This suggests that in lightly-threaded, latency-sensitive applications, the Intel chip can hold its own. Its 15W TDP is also a clear advantage in power-constrained environments, though the data does not include direct power consumption benchmarks. The i5 also has integrated Iris Xe Graphics, which the Threadripper lacks entirely, making it the only option here for a system without a discrete GPU. For users whose primary tasks are web browsing, office work, and light media consumption, the i5’s 3DMark single-thread win is a hint that it won't feel sluggish in everyday use, despite its massive multi-core deficit.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental difference lies in the silicon design philosophy. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process, with a die size composed of 4x 74 mm² chiplets, totaling 15,200 million transistors. It uses the Zen 2 architecture (codename Castle Peak) and fits into the AMD Socket TRX4. It has 24 cores and 48 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is generous: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 128 MB of L3 cache. It supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and offers PCIe Gen 4 connectivity.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a fundamentally different part. It is built on Intel’s 10 nm process with a 144 mm² die, using the Tiger Lake architecture (Willow Cove-U). It is a mobile chip on the Intel BGA 1449 socket, with a base clock of 1500.00 MHz (which appears to be a low base for power saving) and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. It has just 4 cores and 8 threads. Its cache is smaller: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. It supports dual-channel DDR4 or LPDDR4X memory and has PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only). Crucially, it includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, whereas the Threadripper has no integrated graphics. The Threadripper is also an unlocked multiplier part, while the i5 is locked. The TDP difference is stark: 280W for the AMD part versus 15W for the Intel, underscoring the former’s desktop-only, performance-at-all-costs posture versus the latter’s mobile efficiency focus.

The Verdict

The data makes the decision clear based on workload. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is the only choice for users who need maximum multi-threaded performance. Its 488.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 415.2% lead in 3DMark max-threads mean it is in a completely different league for rendering, heavy compilation, and data processing. Its 13,326 Geekbench multi-core score versus 3,944 for the i5 reinforces this. Anyone building a professional workstation for content creation or scientific computing should pick the Threadripper, provided they have the budget and power delivery for a 280W part.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is for a different user entirely. Its 9.5% win in 3DMark single-thread is its sole benchmark victory, but its 15W TDP and integrated graphics make it the sensible pick for a thin-and-light laptop. It lacks the compute power for serious rendering—its 7,909 Cinebench R23 multi-core score is just 17% of the Threadripper’s—but it offers a balanced feature set for mobile productivity and casual use. The i5’s production status is end-of-life, while the Threadripper remains active, which is another point in favor of the AMD part for longevity. In short, the Threadripper is for those who need to compute without compromise; the i5 is for those who need a capable, efficient engine for everyday tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1135G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in the 3DMark max-threads test, where the AMD part wins by 415.2% (13,978 vs. 2,713). The Cinebench multi-core tests show similar gaps of around 488.7%.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 wins the 3DMark single-thread test, scoring 801 versus the AMD’s 725, a 9.5% advantage.

Q: What are the TDPs of the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has a TDP of 280W, while the Intel Core i5-1135G7 has a TDP of 15W.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-1135G7 has integrated graphics, featuring Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do they compare in Geekbench single-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1,681 versus 1,417 for the Intel chip, an 18.6% lead.