AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X features 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X records an average benchmark score of 321,753, placing it in the 99th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 79,574 on average, which is the 95th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus have the multiplier unlocked.

Q: What is the release date for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X launched on 2025-07-29, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus launched on 2026-03-16.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It packs 66,520 million transistors across a multi-chip design with a die size of 8x 70.6 mm². The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 with the codename Arrow Lake-HX Refresh. It uses a 3 nm process from TSMC, integrating 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die. Its cache structure provides 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

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

The market segments are distinct: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a desktop processor on AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114. The power envelopes diverge sharply, with the AMD part rated at 350 W TDP versus 55 W for the Intel part.

The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel processor has a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz but a slightly higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins only 2, both the PassMark single-thread tests.

The largest victory for AMD comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 18,427 against Intel's 2,356, a delta of 682.1%. That margin is extreme, though the Cinebench R15 single-core result also shows a 446.2% advantage for AMD (1,857 versus 340).

In multi-threaded rendering, AMD dominates across all Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 130,529 versus 39,684 for Intel, a 228.9% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows AMD at 54,822 versus 21,198, a 158.6% gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core has AMD at 13,157 versus 5,981, a 120% difference.

PassMark workloads follow the same pattern. Data compression shows AMD at 2,974,534 versus 658,724, a 351.6% lead. Integer math gives AMD 872,071 versus 164,839, a 429% advantage. Floating-point math records AMD at 559,003 versus 201,773, a 177% lead. Extended instructions show AMD at 228,959 versus 51,290, a 346.4% difference.

Data encryption favors AMD by 214.2% (157,137 versus 50,008). Random string sorting shows AMD ahead by 263.6% (292,083 versus 80,327). Multithread performance in PassMark gives AMD 141,641 versus 59,439, a 138.3% lead. Physics tests show AMD at 8,001 versus 3,387, a 136.2% advantage. Find prime numbers has a smaller but still clear AMD edge of 48.2% (769 versus 519).

The only Intel victory is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 4,951 versus AMD's 4,537. That is a delta of -8.4% from AMD's perspective, meaning Intel leads by roughly 8.4%. This aligns with the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 5.40 GHz on AMD.

The Verdict

The data positions these processors in completely different tiers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 321,753. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (0.3% behind), the Intel Xeon 6781P (2% behind), the AMD EPYC 9575F (3.2% behind), and the AMD EPYC 9734 (3.6% behind). It is a workstation-class part designed for heavy parallel workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus lands in the 95th percentile with an average score of 79,574. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-14900KF (0.3% ahead), the AMD EPYC 7413 (0.6% ahead of Intel), the Intel Core i9-14900K (0.6% behind Intel), and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X (1.4% ahead of Intel). This is a mobile-class chip with a 55 W TDP.

For workloads that scale across many cores, such as rendering, compilation, or data processing, the AMD chip delivers overwhelming advantages. The 228.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 429% lead in integer math are decisive. The 64-core configuration with 128 threads and 256 MB L3 cache is built for throughput.

The Intel chip is the pick only when single-thread PassMark performance matters most, where it leads by 8.4%. Its 5.50 GHz boost clock and lower power envelope make it suitable for mobile systems, but it cannot compete with the raw parallel output of the Threadripper. The data shows a clear hierarchy: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the compute leader, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus serves a different market segment with far fewer cores and threads.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |

|-------|------------------------------|------------------------------|

| Cores | 64 | 24 |

| Threads | 128 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 350 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 66,520 million | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 8x 70.6 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 256 MB | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 80 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-07-29 | 2026-03-16 |

| Launch MSRP | $4999 | null |

| Part Number | 100-000001593 | SADSS |