AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core 3 201E Comparison

# AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core 3 201E

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and Intel Core 3 201E occupy opposite ends of the desktop processor spectrum, yet the database records both as active products. The Threadripper 9980X sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 3 201E lands in the 73rd percentile. Across 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Threadripper wins every single test, with margins ranging from 30.3% to 1974.8%. The comparison is less about contest and more about understanding what each design prioritizes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, which makes the use-case split straightforward. The Threadripper dominates heavily in multi-threaded and parallel workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 130529 against the Core 3's 12613, a 934.9% advantage. The PassMark multi-thread test shows 141641 versus 14839, an 854.5% gap. These results indicate the Threadripper is built for rendering, simulation, and any workload that scales with core count.

The Core 3 201E shows its relative strength in single-threaded performance, though it still loses. In PassMark single-thread, the Core 3 scores 3482 against the Threadripper's 4537, a 30.3% difference. That is the smallest margin in the entire benchmark set. The Core 3's 4.80 GHz boost clock and 3.60 GHz base clock help it stay competitive in lightly threaded tasks, but the Threadripper's 5.40 GHz boost clock still carries the day.

The only category where the Core 3 approaches parity is power efficiency, but the database does not record efficiency metrics. The Core 3 has a 60 W TDP against the Threadripper's 350 W TDP. For workloads that are not heavily parallelized, the Core 3's lower power envelope makes it a more reasonable choice for compact desktop systems. The Threadripper's 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes serve workloads that move large data sets.

Architecture Differences

The Threadripper 9980X uses AMD's Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the Shimada Peak codename. It integrates 66,520 million transistors across 8x 70.6 mm² dies. The Core 3 201E uses Intel's Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm Intel process, with a 163 mm² die. The process node difference explains part of the performance gap, but the core count difference is the dominant factor.

The Threadripper has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Core 3 has 4 cores and 8 threads. That is a 16x core advantage and a 16x thread advantage. The Threadripper's cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3 cache. The Core 3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Threadripper's 256 MB L3 is more than 21 times larger than the Core 3's total L3.

Memory support differs substantially. The Threadripper uses DDR5 only with a quad-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 3 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. The Threadripper provides 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Core 3 provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Threadripper has no integrated graphics, while the Core 3 includes UHD Graphics 730.

The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, the Core 3 does not. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5, the Core 3 uses Intel Socket 1700. The Threadripper's launch date is later, and its launch MSRP is $4999, while the Core 3's launch MSRP is $134. The Threadripper's part number is 100-000001593, the Core 3's is SRVTR.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the single-threaded performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread, the Threadripper scores 4537 versus the Core 3's 3482, a 30.3% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is much larger: 18427 versus 1780, a 935.2% difference.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Threadripper 9980X and the Core 3 201E support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The Threadripper supports DDR5 only with a quad-channel bus. The Core 3 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Threadripper scores 228959 against the Core 3's 11035, a 1974.8% difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads; the Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Threadripper's base clock is 3.20 GHz and boost clock is 5.40 GHz. The Core 3's base clock is 3.60 GHz and boost clock is 4.80 GHz. TDP is 350 W for the Threadripper and 60 W for the Core 3.

The Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5, the Core 3 uses Intel Socket 1700. The Threadripper is built on Zen 5 (Shimada Peak) at 4 nm TSMC, with 66,520 million transistors and 8x 70.6 mm² dies. The Core 3 is Bartlett Lake at 10 nm Intel, with a 163 mm² die. Cache differs: the Threadripper has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3. The Core 3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory support diverges: the Threadripper uses DDR5, quad-channel, 204.8 GB/s. The Core 3 supports DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, 76.8 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 80 Gen 5 for the Threadripper and 16 Gen 5 for the Core 3. The Threadripper has no integrated graphics, the Core 3 has UHD Graphics 730. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, the Core 3 does not. The Threadripper's launch MSRP is $4999, the Core 3's is $134.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The smallest margin is in PassMark single-thread, where the Threadripper scores 4537 against 3482, a 30.3% advantage. This indicates the Threadripper's single-core performance is strong enough to beat a much lower-power part even in lightly threaded tests.

The largest margins appear in PassMark's extended instructions and integer math tests. Extended instructions show 228959 versus 11035, a 1974.8% difference. Integer math shows 872071 versus 43894, an 1886.8% difference. Floating point math shows 559003 versus 33260, a 1580.7% difference. These results reflect the raw computational throughput advantage of 64 cores versus 4 cores.

Data compression and encryption follow similar patterns. Data compression scores 2974534 versus 164160, a 1712% difference. Data encryption scores 157137 versus 8931, a 1659.5% difference. Random string sorting shows 292083 versus 17783, a 1542.5% difference. Prime number finding shows 769 versus 57, a 1249.1% difference.

Cinebench results are consistent across versions. R15 multi-core shows 13157 versus 1271, a 935.2% difference. R15 single-core shows 1857 versus 179, a 937.4% difference. R20 multi-core shows 54822 versus 5297, a 935% difference. R20 single-core shows 7739 versus 747, a 936% difference. R23 multi-core shows 130529 versus 12613, a 934.9% difference. R23 single-core shows 18427 versus 1780, a 935.2% difference.

PassMark physics and multithread tests round out the results. Physics scores 8001 versus 1141, a 601.2% difference. Multithread scores 141641 versus 14839, an 854.5% difference. The physics gap is the smallest among multi-threaded tests, which suggests the Core 3's per-core efficiency is relatively better in that specific workload, but still far behind.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is designed for maximum parallel throughput. Its 64 cores, 128 threads, 256 MB L3 cache, and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth make it suitable for rendering, scientific computing, and heavy data workloads. Its benchmark averages confirm this: the Threadripper's average score is 321753, placing it 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX and 2% ahead of the Intel Xeon 6781P.

The Intel Core 3 201E is a low-power desktop processor with 4 cores and 8 threads. Its average benchmark score is 19056, which puts it 0% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS and 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-12400F. The Core 3's 60 W TDP, dual-channel memory support, and integrated UHD Graphics 730 make it a fit for compact systems that do not require heavy compute. Its single-thread score of 3482 is within 30.3% of the Threadripper's 4537, which shows that for basic desktop tasks the gap narrows considerably.

The database records that the Threadripper wins all 17 benchmarks, but that outcome is predetermined by the core count difference. The relevant question is not which processor is faster, but which workload profile matches each design. The Threadripper serves multi-threaded, memory-intensive, and PCIe-expansion-heavy use cases. The Core 3 serves basic desktop duties with lower power draw and integrated graphics. Both are active products, but they target entirely different segments of the desktop market.