AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 366H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum. The data shows a 64-core desktop workstation part facing a 16-core mobile chip. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD processor wins every single test. The average benchmark score for the Threadripper 9980X is 321,753, while the Core Ultra 7 366H scores 41,263. The Threadripper also sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs in the database, compared to the 87th percentile for the Intel part. This is not a contest of equals; it is a demonstration of scale versus efficiency.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to two distinct audiences. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is for workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. Its 64 cores and 128 threads, combined with a 256 MB L3 cache, deliver a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 130,529. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H, with 16 cores and 16 threads, scores 28,477 in the same test. Anyone processing large datasets, rendering frames, or compiling code should look at the AMD part.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H is a mobile processor. Its 25 W TDP and integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics make it suitable for laptops where battery life and heat matter. The data shows it is no slouch in single-threaded work either, scoring 4,043 in Passmark single-thread tests. The Threadripper 9980X wins that test with 4,537, but the margin is only 12.2%. For a desktop part with a 350 W TDP, that is a surprisingly narrow lead.

The verdict from the data is clean. The Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 12.2% in single-threaded Passmark tests to 942% in integer math. The Core Ultra 7 366H exists in a different segment, and its only advantage in the database is its mobility characteristics, not its performance scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper 9980X scores 130,529 compared to 28,477 for the Core Ultra 7 366H, a delta of 358.4%. In Passmark multithread, the gap is 323.7%, with scores of 141,641 and 33,429.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X lists integrated graphics as N/A.

Q: How do they compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Threadripper 9980X leads in every single-thread test. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 18,427 versus 4,020, a 358.4% delta. Passmark single-thread shows 4,537 versus 4,043, a 12.2% delta, which is the smallest margin in the entire comparison.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H does not.

Q: What memory channels does each use?

A: The Threadripper 9980X uses quad-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Core Ultra 7 366H uses dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectures from different foundries. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, and is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H uses Panther Lake architecture, codenamed Panther Lake, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process by Intel.

The transistor counts tell a story of scale. The AMD part has 66,520 million transistors across a die size of 8x 70.6 mm². The Intel part does not have transistor or die size data recorded in the database. The cache hierarchies are also fundamentally different.

The Threadripper 9980X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a 256 MB L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 366H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and an 18 MB shared L3 cache. The per-core L1 and L2 figures are higher on the Intel part, but the total L3 cache is vastly larger on the AMD part.

The AMD processor is a desktop part on the AMD Socket sTR5. The Intel processor is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2540. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The production status for both is Active.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows clear separation between the two parts.

• Cores and Threads: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 cores and 16 threads.
• Clock Speeds: The AMD part has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.
• TDP: The AMD part is rated at 350 W. The Intel part is rated at 25 W.
• Socket: The AMD part uses AMD Socket sTR5. The Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540.
• Process Node: The AMD part uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel part uses a 3 nm process from Intel.
• Cache: The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3. The Intel part has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.
• Memory Support: The AMD part supports DDR5 with a quad-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and 115.2 GB/s bandwidth.
• ECC Memory: The AMD part supports ECC. The Intel part does not.
• PCIe Lanes: The AMD part has Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: The AMD part has N/A. The Intel part has Intel Xe3 Graphics.
• Market Segment: The AMD part targets Desktop. The Intel part targets Mobile.
• Release Date: The AMD part released on 2025-07-29. The Intel part released on 2026-01-04.
• Launch MSRP: The AMD part is recorded with a launch MSRP of $4999. The Intel part has no launch MSRP recorded.
• Multiplier Unlocked: The AMD part is unlocked. The Intel part is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 13,157 against 2,870 for the Intel part, a delta of 358.4%. The single-core test shows 1,857 against 405, also a 358.5% delta. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20, where multi-core scores are 54,822 versus 11,960, and single-core is 7,739 versus 1,688.

Cinebench R23 shows the same ratio. The AMD part scores 130,529 in multi-core and 18,427 in single-core. The Intel part scores 28,477 and 4,020 respectively. The deltas are 358.4% and 358.4%.

The Passmark suite reveals where the largest gaps appear. The widest margin is in integer math, where the AMD part scores 872,071 against 83,695, a delta of 942%. Data compression shows 2,974,534 against 327,455, a delta of 808.4%. Extended instructions show 228,959 against 26,901, a delta of 751.1%. Random string sorting shows 292,083 against 39,814, a delta of 633.6%.

Other Passmark tests also favor the AMD part. Data encryption scores 157,137 versus 25,845, a 508% delta. Floating point math scores 559,003 versus 103,615, a 439.5% delta. Multithread scores 141,641 versus 33,429, a 323.7% delta. Physics scores 8,001 versus 2,880, a 177.8% delta. Find prime numbers scores 769 versus 326, a 135.9% delta.

The closest result in the entire comparison is Passmark single-thread. The AMD part scores 4,537 and the Intel part scores 4,043, a delta of 12.2%. This is the only test where the Intel part comes within a meaningful distance of the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins every recorded benchmark. The data shows its strengths are most pronounced in multi-threaded and parallel workloads. Integer math, data compression, and extended instructions show deltas above 750%. These are the workloads that use the 64 cores, 128 threads, and 256 MB L3 cache.

The AMD part also wins the single-threaded tests, though by a smaller margin. The 12.2% lead in Passmark single-thread shows that the Zen 5 architecture is competitive even without the core count advantage. The 5.40 GHz boost clock supports this result.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has no benchmark wins in the database. Its role is defined by its mobile characteristics. The 25 W TDP, the integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics, and the BGA 2540 socket place it in laptops. The data does not show a performance scenario where it beats the Threadripper 9980X.

The use-case split is therefore based on form factor and power, not on measured performance. The Threadripper 9980X is a desktop workstation processor for heavy compute. The Core Ultra 7 366H is a mobile processor for portable systems where the 25 W TDP and integrated graphics are the deciding factors. In the database, the AMD part wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, and the Intel part competes only in a different market segment.