AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Core Ultra X7 358H
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H
The Verdict
The data separates these two processors into entirely different categories. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with an average benchmark score of 321,753 against the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H's 40,967. The Threadripper sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra X7 lands in the 87th percentile. The Threadripper is a desktop-class, 64-core part built for sustained multi-threaded workloads. The Ultra X7 is a mobile, 16-core part with integrated graphics, aimed at portability and efficiency. The recorded data shows no scenario in this benchmark set where the Intel part comes out ahead. The Threadripper 9980X is the choice for any workload that scales with core count, memory bandwidth, or raw compute throughput. The Ultra X7 358H is the choice for a compact mobile system where the 25 W TDP and integrated Arc B390 graphics matter more than peak performance.
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark results are one-sided, but each processor has a distinct role. The Threadripper 9980X dominates every multi-threaded test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 130,529 against 18,747, a 596.3% advantage. In PassMark integer math, it scores 872,071 against 83,147, a 948.8% advantage. The data compression test shows the largest gap at 794.6%. These are workloads for rendering, compilation, simulation, and data processing. The Threadripper's 128 threads and 256 MB of L3 cache drive these results.
The Ultra X7 358H does not win any benchmark in the database, but its profile still suits a different use case. It draws 25 W against the Threadripper's 350 W. It uses dual-channel LPDDR5X memory and a BGA 2540 socket, which means it belongs in a laptop or compact mobile workstation. It also includes the Arc B390 integrated GPU, something the Threadripper lacks entirely. The Intel part is for systems where the CPU must share power and space with the rest of the machine. The Threadripper is for a workstation that can accommodate a 350 W part on AMD Socket sTR5 with 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.
Single-thread performance tells a similar story, but the gap narrows. In PassMark single-thread, the Threadripper scores 4,537 against 4,124, only 10% ahead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Threadripper scores 18,427 against 2,080, a 785.9% advantage. That Cinebench R23 result is unusual, since the PassMark single-thread test shows a much smaller gap. The data indicates the Intel part is competitive in one specific single-thread metric but falls far behind in the other.
Architecture Differences
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 66,520 million transistors across eight chiplets, each 70.6 mm². The cache layout is 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of L3. It supports DDR5 memory over a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported. PCIe is Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU. The multiplier is unlocked. The part number is 100-000001593, and it was released on 2025-07-29.
The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H uses the Panther Lake codename under the Core Ultra Series 3 generation, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. The cache layout is 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. It supports LPDDR5X memory over a dual-channel bus with 153.6 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe is Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. The multiplier is locked. The part number is SA4RAQ9ET, and it was released on 2026-01-04. No launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel part. The Threadripper 9980X has a launch MSRP of $4999.
The two parts differ in core count, process node, foundry, socket, memory type, memory channel count, ECC support, PCIe lane count, integrated graphics, market segment, and release date. The Threadripper has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Ultra X7 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Threadripper's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 5.40 GHz. The Ultra X7's base clock is 1.90 GHz with a boost of 4.80 GHz.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads.
Q: Does the Intel part include integrated graphics?
A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H includes an Arc B390 integrated GPU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H does not.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has a quad-channel DDR5 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a dual-channel LPDDR5X memory bus with 153.6 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: How do their benchmark percentiles compare?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is in the 99th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is in the 87th percentile. The Threadripper's average benchmark score is 321,753, while the Ultra X7's is 40,967.
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest win for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 872,071 against 83,147, a 948.8% advantage. That is the single biggest gap in the entire benchmark set. Data compression follows closely at 794.6%, with the Threadripper scoring 2,974,534 against 332,508. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 785.9% lead, with scores of 18,427 against 2,080. Extended instructions show a 739.5% lead, with scores of 228,959 against 27,274. Random string sorting shows a 623.7% lead, with scores of 292,083 against 40,357.
The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is 130,529 against 18,747, a 596.3% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 515.9% lead, with scores of 1,857 against 301.5. Data encryption shows a 503.3% lead, with scores of 157,137 against 26,046. Floating point math shows a 438.3% lead, with scores of 559,003 against 103,842. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 356.4% lead, with scores of 54,822 against 12,011. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 356.6% lead, with scores of 7,739 against 1,695. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 334.7% lead, with scores of 13,157 against 3,027. PassMark multithread shows a 319% lead, with scores of 141,641 against 33,802. Physics shows a 164.8% lead, with scores of 8,001 against 3,021. Find prime numbers shows a 128.2% lead, with scores of 769 against 337.
The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Threadripper scores 4,537 against 4,124, only 10% ahead. That result appears twice in the database under slightly different test names, with identical scores and the same 10% delta. The Intel part's closest competition is not the Threadripper. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at 41,208 average score, 0.6% behind, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H at 41,215, 0.6% behind. The Threadripper's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at 320,749 average score, only 0.3% behind, followed by the Intel Xeon 6781P at 315,524, 2% behind, and the AMD EPYC 9575F at 311,774, 3.2% behind. These rival deltas show that the Threadripper 9980X sits at the top of a crowded field of high-core-count workstation and server parts, while the Ultra X7 358H trades positions with other mobile chips within a 1.3% range.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Threadripper has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Ultra X7 has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. TDP is 350 W for the Threadripper and 25 W for the Ultra X7. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5; the Ultra X7 uses Intel BGA 2540.
The Threadripper uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 66,520 million transistors and a die size of 8x 70.6 mm². The Ultra X7 uses the Panther Lake codename under the Core Ultra Series 3 generation, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part. Cache differs: the Threadripper has 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 256 MB of L3. The Ultra X7 has 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 18 MB of shared L3.
Memory support differs entirely. The Threadripper uses DDR5 over a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Ultra X7 uses LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. PCIe differs: the Threadripper has Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra X7 has Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. The Threadripper has no integrated graphics; the Ultra X7 has the Arc B390. The Threadripper is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $4999. The Ultra X7 is a mobile part with a locked multiplier and no recorded launch MSRP. The Threadripper was released on 2025-07-29; the Ultra X7 was released on 2026-01-04. The Threadripper's part number is 100-000001593; the Ultra X7's is SA4RAQ9ET.