AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data in the database shows a stark contrast between these two processors, though direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are limited by the fact that the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no recorded benchmark scores or rival entries, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a full set of measurements.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18747 points. Its single-core result in the same test reaches 2080 points. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 12011, with single-core at 1695. The older Cinebench R15 test shows 3027 multi-core and 301.5 single-core.

PassMark results for the Intel part cover a broad workload range. The multithread score sits at 33802, while single-thread performance reaches 4124 points. Integer math completes at 83147, floating point math at 103842, and extended instructions at 27274. Data compression scores 332508, data encryption 26046, and random string sorting 40357. Prime number finding produces 337, and physics simulation scores 3021.

Since the AMD part has no benchmark entries in the database, the recorded data cannot show direct wins or losses between the two. The Intel chip holds an average benchmark score of 40967, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD processor sits at the 50th percentile with an average score of zero due to missing measurements.

What the data does reveal is the Intel chip's positioning among its nearest rivals. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 scores 41208, which is 0.6% higher than the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 41215, also 0.6% higher. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 40718, which is 0.6% lower. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H scores 41263, 0.7% higher. These margins are tight, indicating the Core Ultra X7 358H performs within a narrow band of comparable mobile processors.

The Cinebench scores indicate strong multi-threaded throughput for a mobile chip, with the R23 multi-core result exceeding the single-core result by roughly nine times. That ratio reflects the 16 threads available to the processor. The PassMark multithread score of 33802 compared to the single-thread score of 4124 shows a similar scaling pattern.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in design philosophy. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Shimada Peak, part of the Ryzen Threadripper generation. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 33,260 million transistors spread across a die size of four times 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H uses the Panther Lake codename from the Ultra X7 generation, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The database lists no transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The AMD chip offers 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel chip provides 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part shows no hyperthreading capability in the recorded data, as threads equal cores. The AMD part doubles its threads over cores, indicating simultaneous multithreading support.

Clock speeds also separate the two. The AMD processor has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel processor runs at 1.90 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The AMD chip's higher clocks align with its desktop market segment, while the Intel chip's lower base clock suits mobile power constraints.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip gives 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's massive L3 cache is characteristic of a high-end desktop processor, while the Intel part's smaller shared L3 is typical for mobile designs.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD chip uses DDR5 with a quad-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory support. The Intel chip uses LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC support. PCIe connectivity also contrasts sharply: the AMD chip provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with only 4 lanes.

Integrated graphics separate the two clearly. The AMD part has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The Intel part includes Arc B390 graphics. This reflects the AMD chip's role as a compute-focused desktop processor that expects a discrete GPU, versus the Intel chip's mobile all-in-one design.

Thermal design power shows the intended use cases. The AMD chip is rated at 350 watts, while the Intel chip draws only 25 watts. That is a 14-fold difference in thermal envelope, indicating the AMD part requires serious cooling and power delivery, while the Intel part is built for battery-powered systems.

The AMD chip uses socket sTR5 and has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel chip uses BGA 2540, a soldered mobile package, and has a locked multiplier. Production status for both is listed as active.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X wins in raw compute capacity based on its specifications. With 24 cores and 48 threads, it offers three times the thread count of the Intel part. The 128 MB L3 cache dwarfs the Intel chip's 18 MB. The quad-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth provides more than 33% higher bandwidth than the Intel chip's 153.6 GB/s. The 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes enable massive expansion, while the Intel part's 4 lanes limit connectivity to basic device attachment.

The AMD chip also wins on clock speed. Its 5.30 GHz boost clock exceeds the Intel chip's 4.80 GHz boost by 0.5 GHz, and the base clock of 4.20 GHz is more than double the Intel part's 1.90 GHz. The unlocked multiplier and 350-watt thermal envelope allow sustained high-frequency operation for heavy workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H wins in power efficiency and integration. Its 25-watt TDP is a fraction of the AMD chip's 350-watt requirement. The 3 nm process node from Intel represents a smaller lithography than the AMD chip's 4 nm TSMC node, though the database does not provide efficiency measurements. The inclusion of Arc B390 integrated graphics eliminates the need for a separate GPU in many mobile scenarios, which the AMD chip cannot offer.

The Intel chip wins in portability. The BGA 2540 socket is a soldered mobile package, while the AMD chip's sTR5 socket is a large desktop platform. The Intel part's release date of January 2026 is later than the AMD part's July 2025 release, though both are active in production.

The database shows the Intel chip's performance ranking. Its 87th percentile among all CPUs indicates strong relative performance for a mobile processor. The AMD chip's 50th percentile is based on no benchmark data, so that figure carries no meaningful comparison.

The Intel chip also wins on benchmark availability. Every recorded benchmark comes from the Intel part, covering Cinebench and PassMark suites. The AMD part has no measurements, so all empirical performance data in the database belongs exclusively to the Intel chip.

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How does the cache differ between the two processors?

A: The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H includes Arc B390 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory with a quad-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, including ECC support. The Intel chip supports LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC support.

Q: What is the thermal design power for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has a TDP of 350 watts. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a TDP of 25 watts.

Q: How do the benchmark scores for the Intel chip compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has an average benchmark score of 40967. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 scores 0.6% higher at 41208, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 0.6% higher at 41215, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 0.6% lower at 40718, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H scores 0.7% higher at 41263.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H:

• Manufacturer: AMD versus Intel
• Cores: 24 versus 16
• Threads: 48 versus 16
• Base Clock: 4.20 GHz versus 1.90 GHz
• Boost Clock: 5.30 GHz versus 4.80 GHz
• TDP: 350 watts versus 25 watts
• Socket: AMD Socket sTR5 versus Intel BGA 2540
• Architecture: Zen 5 versus not listed
• Codename: Shimada Peak versus Panther Lake
• Generation: Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 5 (Shimada Peak)) versus Ultra X7 (Panther Lake-H)
• Process Node: 4 nm versus 3 nm
• Foundry: TSMC versus Intel
• Transistors: 33,260 million versus not listed
• Die Size: 4x 70.6 mm² versus not listed
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core versus 192 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 1 MB per core versus 3 MB per core
• L3 Cache: 128 MB versus 18 MB shared
• Memory Support: DDR5 versus LPDDR5X
• Memory Bus: Quad-channel versus Dual-channel
• Memory Bandwidth: 204.8 GB/s versus 153.6 GB/s
• ECC Memory: true versus false
• PCIe: Gen 5, 80 Lanes versus Gen 5, 4 Lanes
• Integrated Graphics: N/A versus Arc B390
• Market Segment: Desktop versus Mobile
• Release Date: 2025-07-29 versus 2026-01-04
• Launch MSRP: $1499 versus not listed
• Multiplier Unlocked: true versus false
• Part Number: 100-000001595 versus SA4RAQ9ET