AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core 7 253PE Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark averages?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has an average benchmark score of 321753, while the Intel Core 7 253PE averages 40557. The AMD part sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part is in the 87th percentile.

Q: Which processor shows a larger lead in single-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X leads in PassMark single-thread scoring with 4537 versus 3955, a 14.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 18427 versus 3512, a 424.7% advantage.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and the Intel Core 7 253PE support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, which is slightly higher than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X's 5.40 GHz boost clock.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor record in the head-to-head tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 253PE records no wins.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Shimada Peak codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The chip integrates 66,520 million transistors across 8x 70.6 mm² dies. The Intel Core 7 253PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel, with no transistor or die size data recorded in the database.

Cache structures differ substantially. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's total cache capacity is far larger, particularly in L3 where it offers 256 MB versus 33 MB.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports DDR5 memory over a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 7 253PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported by both.

PCIe lane counts differ sharply. The AMD part provides Gen 5 with 80 CPU-only lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes. The AMD processor has no integrated graphics, whereas the Intel processor includes UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD chip uses AMD Socket sTR5 and has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700 and has a locked multiplier. Production status for both is listed as Active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins every recorded head-to-head comparison, but the margins vary widely by workload type. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 13157 against 2507, a 424.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in percentage terms: 1857 versus 354, a 424.6% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 54822 versus 10449, a 424.7% gap, and R20 single-core shows 7739 versus 1475, also a 424.7% gap. Cinebench R23 multicore records 130529 versus 24880, a 424.6% advantage, while R23 single-core shows 18427 versus 3512, a 424.7% gap.

The PassMark suite reveals even larger deltas in several specialized tests. Data compression scores 2974534 for the AMD part versus 339133 for the Intel part, a 777.1% advantage. Data encryption records 157137 versus 18385, a 754.7% lead. Extended instructions show 228959 versus 21806, a 950% advantage, the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison. Floating point math scores 559003 versus 80870, a 591.2% lead, and integer math scores 872071 versus 114158, a 663.9% advantage. Random string sorting shows 292083 versus 32777, a 791.1% gap.

The smallest relative differences appear in single-threaded PassMark tests. PassMark single-thread and singlethread both record 4537 for the AMD part versus 3955 for the Intel part, a 14.7% advantage. PassMark physics shows 8001 versus 1845, a 333.7% lead, while PassMark multithread shows 141641 versus 29271, a 383.9% advantage. Find prime numbers records 769 versus 138, a 457.2% gap.

The database records 17 wins for the AMD processor and 0 wins for the Intel processor across all head-to-head benchmark categories.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the AMD part and 2.50 GHz for the Intel part. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for the AMD part and 5.50 GHz for the Intel part.

Thermal design power differs by a wide margin: 350 watts for the AMD processor versus 65 watts for the Intel processor. The AMD part uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD architecture is Zen 5 with the Shimada Peak codename; the Intel architecture field is not recorded, with the Bartlett Lake codename listed.

Process nodes differ: 4 nm at TSMC for the AMD part, 10 nm at Intel for the Intel part. The AMD processor lists 66,520 million transistors and 8x 70.6 mm² dies; the Intel processor has no transistor count or die size data.

Cache configurations differ in both per-core and shared capacities. The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3. The Intel part has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. Memory support for the AMD part is DDR5 only with quad-channel access and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel access and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe lane counts differ: 80 Gen 5 CPU-only lanes for the AMD part versus 16 Gen 5 CPU-only lanes for the Intel part. The AMD processor has no integrated graphics; the Intel processor includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates differ, with the AMD part recorded as released on 2025-07-29 and the Intel part on 2026-03-08. The AMD launch MSRP is $4999. The Intel launch MSRP is $384.

The Verdict

The recorded data delivers an unambiguous verdict: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X dominates the Intel Core 7 253PE across every measured benchmark category. The 64-core AMD part wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, with percentage advantages ranging from 14.7% in PassMark single-thread to 950% in extended instructions. The average benchmark score of 321753 for the AMD part versus 40557 for the Intel part places these processors in entirely different performance tiers.

The Intel Core 7 253PE does hold a higher boost clock at 5.50 GHz versus 5.40 GHz, and it offers a lower thermal design power of 65 watts versus 350 watts. It also includes integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. However, no benchmark result in the database shows the Intel part winning any performance comparison.

The AMD processor's nearest rivals are other high-core-count server and workstation parts: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at 0.3% higher average score, the Intel Xeon 6781P at 2% lower, the AMD EPYC 9575F at 3.2% lower, and the AMD EPYC 9734 at 3.6% lower. The Intel Core 7 253PE's nearest rivals are much closer in average score: the Intel Core 5 223PE at 0.1% lower, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 0.1% higher, the Intel Xeon 6357P at 0.2% lower, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H at 0.3% higher.

The data shows the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X as a high-core-count workstation processor with a 99th percentile ranking, while the Intel Core 7 253PE is a lower-core-count desktop processor with an 87th percentile ranking. The performance gap is consistent across rendering, encryption, compression, math, and sorting workloads. The Intel part's advantages are limited to specifications that do not translate into benchmark wins: higher boost clock, lower power draw, integrated graphics, and broader memory compatibility.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins in every workload category recorded in the database. The largest margins appear in passmark extended instructions at 950%, passmark random string sorting at 791.1%, and passmark data compression at 777.1%. These results indicate the AMD part's strength in vectorized and data-intensive operations. The data encryption result shows a 754.7% advantage, and integer math shows a 663.9% lead. Floating point math records a 591.2% advantage.

Cinebench results show a consistent 424.6% to 424.8% advantage across all six tests, covering both multicore and single-core rendering workloads. The smallest AMD advantage is in PassMark single-thread at 14.7%, which still represents a clear win. PassMark multithread shows a 383.9% lead, and PassMark physics shows a 333.7% lead.

The Intel Core 7 253PE does not record a single benchmark win in the database. Its recorded strengths are limited to specification-level attributes: a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz, a lower thermal design power of 65 watts, integrated UHD Graphics 730, support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and a smaller L1 cache per core of 80 KB versus 64 KB. These characteristics do not produce any measured performance advantage in the head-to-head results.

For use cases involving heavy multithreaded workloads, rendering, data compression, encryption, or large-scale integer and floating point math, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the only processor with benchmark wins in the recorded data. For use cases prioritizing low power draw, integrated graphics, or DDR4 memory compatibility, the Intel Core 7 253PE offers specification-level advantages, but no performance benchmark in the database supports a win for that part.