AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X have more cores than the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?

A: No. Both processors have 24 cores. The AMD part offers 48 threads, while the Intel part is limited to 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus boosts to 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X's 5.30 GHz boost clock.

Q: What is the difference in process node between the two chips?

A: The AMD processor uses a 4 nm process, while the Intel processor uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 128 MB of L3 cache, compared to 36 MB of shared L3 cache on the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a desktop processor, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only one of the two with benchmark records in the database. The recorded data shows it achieves a 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no benchmark scores recorded and sits at the 50th percentile. This makes the Intel part the clear winner on measured performance, but the AMD processor's strengths are visible in its platform specifications rather than in benchmark scores.

The Intel chip wins on raw measured output across every available test. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 39684 and single-core score of 2356 indicate strong performance in both threaded and lightly threaded workloads. The PassMark multithread score of 59439 and single-thread score of 4951 reinforce this pattern. The Intel processor also delivers high scores in specialized tests such as data compression (658724), floating point math (201773), and integer math (164839).

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X wins on platform capabilities. It provides 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU alone, compared to 20 lanes on the Intel part. It uses a quad-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, versus dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s on the Intel chip. The AMD processor also carries 128 MB of L3 cache, more than triple the Intel chip's 36 MB. These specifications point to workloads that scale with memory bandwidth, cache capacity, and expansion connectivity, even though no direct benchmark measurements exist for this AMD part in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, part of the 9000 series. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2.

The process nodes differ: AMD uses a 4 nm node, while Intel uses a 3 nm node, both from TSMC. The transistor counts reflect the different physical designs. The AMD chip contains 33,260 million transistors spread across four chiplets, each with a 70.6 mm² die size. The Intel processor is a monolithic design with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

Cache organization is fundamentally different. The AMD chip uses 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a large 128 MB L3 pool. The Intel chip uses 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 36 MB of shared L3. This means the AMD processor favors a large shared cache for data-heavy workloads, while the Intel processor has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

The AMD processor has no integrated graphics. The Intel processor includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2114, which reflects the desktop versus mobile split. Both processors are unlocked for overclocking. The AMD processor lists a launch MSRP of $1499.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most visible difference. Both have 24 cores, but the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports 48 threads while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports 24 threads, meaning the Intel chip has no hyperthreading.

Clock speeds differ notably. The AMD chip has a 4.20 GHz base clock and a 5.30 GHz boost clock. The Intel chip has a 2.70 GHz base clock and a 5.50 GHz boost clock. The Intel part boosts higher but starts from a much lower base.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The AMD processor has a 350 W TDP, while the Intel processor has a 55 W TDP. This reflects the desktop versus mobile positioning and has direct implications for cooling and power delivery requirements.

Memory support differs in channel count and bandwidth. The AMD chip uses quad-channel DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip uses dual-channel DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts are heavily skewed toward AMD. The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X provides 80 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides 20 Gen 5 lanes.

The AMD processor has no integrated graphics, while the Intel processor includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU. The release dates also differ, with the AMD part launching in 2025 and the Intel part launching in 2026.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are not available in the database, as the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no recorded benchmark scores. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, however, has a full set of measurements that position it clearly among its peers.

The Intel processor's average benchmark score is 79574. Its nearest rivals in the database are the Intel Core i9-14900KF with an average score of 79371, putting the 290HX Plus 0.3% ahead, and the Intel Core i9-14900K with 79097, putting it 0.6% ahead. The AMD EPYC 7413 scores 80041, which means the 290HX Plus trails by 0.6%. The Intel Xeon w5-2565X scores 80671, leaving the 290HX Plus 1.4% behind.

The Cinebench results for the Intel chip show balanced performance. The R15 multicore score of 5981 and single-core score of 340 indicate strong scaling. The R20 multicore score of 21198 and single-core score of 2992 continue that pattern. The R23 multicore score of 39684 and single-core score of 2356 confirm that the processor handles both fully threaded and single-threaded tasks effectively.

PassMark results add more detail. The multithread score of 59439 and single-thread score of 4951 are both strong figures. Specialized workloads show particular strengths: data compression at 658724, floating point math at 201773, and integer math at 164839. Data encryption scores 50008, extended instructions score 51290, and random string sorting scores 80327. The physics test scores 3387, and find prime numbers scores 519.

Because the AMD processor has no recorded benchmarks, its performance relative to the Intel chip cannot be quantified from measured data. The specification differences, particularly the 350 W TDP, 48 threads, quad-channel memory, and 128 MB L3 cache, suggest the AMD part is designed for a different class of workload, but no benchmark evidence exists in the database to confirm its output.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only processor in this comparison with measured benchmark data, and that data is strong. It holds a 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average score of 79574 that places it within 1.5% of its nearest rivals in both directions. The 0.3% lead over the Core i9-14900KF and 0.6% lead over the Core i9-14900K show it competes directly with high-end desktop parts despite its 55 W TDP and mobile positioning.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X cannot be evaluated on the same basis because the database contains no benchmark scores for it. Its 50th percentile ranking and zero average score reflect the absence of data, not a judgment of its performance. What the specifications show is a desktop processor built for maximum platform capability: 48 threads, 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, quad-channel memory at 204.8 GB/s, and 128 MB of L3 cache. Those are characteristics of a workstation part, and the 350 W TDP reinforces that it expects a serious cooling solution and power delivery system.

For users who need measured performance data from the database, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only option with evidence. It delivers competitive scores across Cinebench and PassMark, with a 95th percentile standing that puts it ahead of the vast majority of CPUs. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a launch MSRP of $1499 desktop part with no recorded measurements, so any comparison involving it must rely on its architectural specifications rather than benchmark results. The Intel chip is the one with the numbers behind it. The AMD chip is the one with the platform headroom. The data supports the Intel part for measured performance and the AMD part for raw expansion and memory capabilities.