AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra X7 368H Comparison

FAQ

Q: How large is the overall performance gap between the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H?

A: The average benchmark score for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is 321753, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H records an average benchmark score of 40518. This places the AMD part in the 99th percentile among all CPUs, whereas the Intel part sits in the 87th percentile.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins in every recorded single-threaded test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 18427 versus 3984 for the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H, a delta of 362.5%. In PassMark single-thread, the margin narrows to 13.3%, with scores of 4537 and 4005 respectively.

Q: What is the closest rival for each processor according to the database?

A: For the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX with an average score of 320749, a 0.3% difference. For the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H, the nearest rival is the Intel Core 7 253PE with an average score of 40557, a 0.1% difference.

Q: How does the core count differ between these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part does not support simultaneous multithreading, so its thread count equals its core count.

Q: What memory bandwidth do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses quad-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H uses dual-channel LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s and does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared to 5.00 GHz for the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

The Verdict

The data indicates a total of 17 benchmark wins for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and zero wins for the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H. The AMD processor is positioned for high-throughput desktop workloads, evidenced by its 64 cores, 128 threads, 256 MB of L3 cache, and 350 W TDP. The Intel processor is a mobile part with 16 cores, 16 threads, 18 MB of L3 cache, and a 25 W TDP, placing it in a completely different performance class.

For users processing massive parallel workloads such as rendering, data compression, or encryption, the AMD part shows overwhelming advantages across every recorded test. The Intel part, by contrast, sits in the 87th percentile and is competitive only within its own mobile segment, where its closest rivals are within 0.2% of its average score.

The single-threaded PassMark result shows a modest 13.3% advantage for the AMD processor, which is the narrowest margin in the entire head-to-head set. This indicates that in lightly threaded scenarios, the two processors are far closer than their multi-threaded scores suggest, though the AMD part still leads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison appears in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X scores 872071 versus 88083 for the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H, a delta of 890.1%. This is followed closely by PassMark data compression, where the AMD part scores 2974534 versus 312927, a delta of 850.6%.

PassMark extended instructions shows a 792% advantage for the AMD processor, with scores of 228959 and 25669. PassMark random string sorting delivers a 666.8% delta, with the AMD part scoring 292083 and the Intel part scoring 38093. PassMark data encryption shows a 522.9% delta, with scores of 157137 and 25228.

In Cinebench tests, the pattern is consistent. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 13157 versus 2844, a 362.6% delta. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 54822 versus 11852, also a 362.6% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 130529 versus 28221, a 362.5% delta. Single-core variants follow the same pattern: R15 single-core shows 1857 versus 401 (363.1%), R20 single-core shows 7739 versus 1673 (362.6%), and R23 single-core shows 18427 versus 3984 (362.5%).

PassMark floating point math shows a 429% delta, with the AMD part scoring 559003 and the Intel part scoring 105681. PassMark multithread shows a 329.8% delta, with scores of 141641 and 32956. PassMark physics shows a 180% delta, with scores of 8001 and 2857. PassMark find prime numbers shows the smallest multi-threaded margin at 139.6%, with scores of 769 and 321.

The narrowest overall margin is PassMark single-thread, where the AMD part scores 4537 and the Intel part scores 4005, a 13.3% delta. This is the only test where the Intel processor approaches parity.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H uses Intel BGA 2540. The AMD part is a desktop processor, whereas the Intel part is a mobile processor. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part does not.

The AMD processor has a TDP of 350 W, compared to 25 W for the Intel processor. Base clocks differ at 3.20 GHz for AMD and 2.00 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks differ at 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.00 GHz for Intel.

Memory support differs: the AMD part uses DDR5 with a quad-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel part uses LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and 153.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported by the AMD part but not by the Intel part.

PCIe configurations differ substantially: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Arc B390), while the AMD part has no integrated graphics.

The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $4999. The Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X belongs to the 9000 series and uses Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 and uses Panther Lake architecture with the codename Panther Lake.

The AMD part is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 66,520 million transistors and a die size listed as 8x 70.6 mm². The Intel part is built on a 3 nm process at Intel, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD part has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel part has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part's release date is recorded as 2025-07-29, while the Intel part's release date is recorded as 2026-01-04. Both are listed as active production status.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its largest advantages appear in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, and data encryption, where deltas range from 522.9% to 890.1%. These results point to workloads that scale across many cores, such as batch compression pipelines, cryptographic operations, and large-scale data transformation.

In Cinebench multicore tests, the AMD part maintains a consistent 362.5% to 362.6% advantage across R15, R20, and R23. This indicates strong scaling in rendering workloads that utilize all available threads. The AMD part's 128 threads and 256 MB of L3 cache provide the resources for such sustained parallel execution.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H shows its best relative performance in PassMark single-thread, trailing by only 13.3%. This suggests that for single-threaded interactive tasks, the Intel part is competitive with the AMD flagship, though it still loses. The Intel part also carries integrated graphics, which gives it a capability the AMD part lacks entirely, making it suitable for systems that need a complete mobile package without a discrete GPU.

The Intel part's 25 W TDP and mobile socket position it for battery-powered systems, whereas the AMD part's 350 W TDP and desktop socket require a high-capacity power delivery system. The Intel part uses LPDDR5X memory, which is typical for mobile platforms, while the AMD part uses DDR5 with ECC support, which suits workstation reliability requirements.

For applications that must run on a mobile platform with a 25 W power budget, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H is the only option between these two. For any workload that can use more than 16 threads, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers multiples of the Intel part's performance, with the smallest multi-threaded delta still at 139.6% in PassMark find prime numbers.