AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Xeon 6980P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X records an average benchmark score of 321,753, while the Intel Xeon 6980P records 251,516. The AMD part sits in the 99th percentile against all CPUs, a percentile shared by the Intel Xeon 6980P.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X compare to its closest rivals?

A: The database shows the Threadripper 9980X is 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, 2% ahead of the Intel Xeon 6781P, 3.2% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9575F, and 3.6% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9734.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Xeon 6980P has 128 cores and 256 threads, exactly double the core and thread count of the AMD part.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels and higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon 6980P supports twelve-channel DDR5 memory with 614.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports quad-channel DDR5 memory with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Xeon 6980P boosts to 3.90 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Xeon 6980P wins none.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, and belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper 9000 series. The Intel Xeon 6980P uses the Granite Rapids architecture and belongs to the Xeon 6 generation, specifically the Granite Rapids-AP family. These are fundamentally different design philosophies: the AMD chip is a desktop-oriented part, while the Intel chip is classified as a server and workstation processor.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon 6980P is fabricated by Intel on a 5 nm process node. The AMD part integrates 66,520 million transistors across eight chiplets, each measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel part uses a three-die configuration with a much larger total die area, with each die measuring 598 mm².

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD processor offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor offers 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and a larger 504 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part's total L3 cache is substantial, but the Intel part's shared L3 pool is nearly double that of the AMD chip.

Memory architecture shows a clear split. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses a quad-channel DDR5 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Xeon 6980P uses a twelve-channel DDR5 memory bus with 614.4 GB/s of bandwidth, a threefold advantage in theoretical memory throughput. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is similar in generation but differs in lane count. The AMD part provides Gen 5 with 80 CPU-only lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 96 CPU-only lanes. Neither processor includes integrated graphics.

The socket and platform are entirely different. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 7529. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel processor is locked. The AMD part was released on 2025-07-29, and the Intel part was released earlier on 2024-09-23.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a dominant performance profile for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X across every measured workload. The largest margin appears in single-threaded PassMark tests, where the AMD chip scores 4,537 against 1,681 for the Intel Xeon 6980P, a delta of 169.9%. This is the biggest single delta in the entire comparison set.

Cinebench results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 130,529 against 63,175 for Intel, a 106.6% advantage. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is similarly lopsided: 18,427 versus 8,918, again a 106.6% delta. The Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore and single-core tests all show the same 106.6% to 106.8% margins, with the AMD part scoring 13,157 versus 6,367 in R15 multicore and 54,822 versus 26,533 in R20 multicore.

The PassMark multithread score shows a 90.6% lead for AMD, with 141,641 versus 74,324. The PassMark physics test shows the highest multicore-related delta at 138.8%, with the AMD part scoring 8,001 against 3,350.

Not all margins are extreme. In PassMark extended instructions, the AMD lead narrows to 6.6%, scoring 228,959 versus 214,794. Floating point math shows an 11.4% advantage for AMD, with 559,003 versus 501,720. Random string sorting shows a 21.3% lead, with 292,083 versus 240,792. Data compression and data encryption show 25.8% and 25.5% leads respectively, with scores of 2,974,534 versus 2,364,519 and 157,137 versus 125,246.

The AMD part also leads in integer math by 36.8%, scoring 872,071 against 637,476. Prime number finding shows a 38.6% advantage for AMD, with 769 versus 555. The overall picture is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with deltas ranging from 6.6% to 169.9%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field.

Core and thread counts: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Xeon 6980P has 128 cores and 256 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 3.90 GHz.

Power: the AMD processor has a TDP of 350 watts, while the Intel processor has a TDP of 500 watts.

Socket: AMD uses Socket sTR5, Intel uses Socket 7529.

Architecture: AMD uses Zen 5 (Shimada Peak), Intel uses Granite Rapids (Granite Rapids-AP).

Process node: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 5 nm from Intel.

Transistor count: AMD lists 66,520 million transistors, Intel does not list a transistor count.

Die size: AMD uses 8x 70.6 mm², Intel uses 3x 598 mm².

Cache: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3. Intel has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 504 MB shared L3.

Memory: both support DDR5, but AMD uses quad-channel with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, Intel uses twelve-channel with 614.4 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe: AMD provides Gen 5 with 80 CPU-only lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 96 CPU-only lanes.

Market segment: AMD is listed as Desktop, Intel as Server/Workstation.

Release date: AMD released 2025-07-29, Intel released 2024-09-23.

Multiplier: AMD is unlocked, Intel is locked.

Part number: AMD is 100-000001593, Intel is SRPL2Q5SM.

The launch MSRP for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is $4999. The launch MSRP for the Intel Xeon 6980P is $12460.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins every recorded benchmark in this comparison, so the use-case split is defined by the magnitude of its advantages rather than by any workload where Intel takes the lead.

For single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads, the AMD part is decisively ahead. The 169.9% lead in PassMark single-thread performance and the 106.6% to 106.8% leads across all Cinebench single-core tests make the AMD processor the clear choice for applications that depend on per-core speed. The 5.40 GHz boost clock and unlocked multiplier support this profile.

For physics simulation and multithreaded integer work, the AMD part again dominates. The 138.8% lead in PassMark physics and the 90.6% lead in PassMark multithread indicate strong scaling efficiency despite having half the cores of the Intel part. The 36.8% lead in integer math reinforces this pattern.

For data compression and encryption workloads, the AMD part maintains a 25.8% and 25.5% lead respectively. These are memory-sensitive workloads, and the Intel Xeon 6980P's twelve-channel memory bus with 614.4 GB/s bandwidth does not translate into a benchmark advantage in the recorded data.

The Intel Xeon 6980P retains structural advantages that are not reflected in the benchmark wins. Its 128 cores and 256 threads provide double the thread count, and its 504 MB of shared L3 cache is nearly double the AMD part's 256 MB. The twelve-channel memory subsystem offers 614.4 GB/s of bandwidth, three times the AMD part's 204.8 GB/s. These features position the Intel processor for server deployments where raw thread count, cache capacity, and memory bandwidth are architectural requirements, even though the recorded benchmarks do not show it converting those resources into superior scores.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X also shows a tighter competitive position in its nearest rival group. Its average score of 321,753 sits between the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at 320,749 (0.3% behind) and the Intel Xeon 6781P at 315,524 (2% behind). The Intel Xeon 6980P's average score of 251,516 places it below the AMD EPYC 9634 at 244,274 (3% ahead) and above the Intel Xeon 6747P at 238,263 (5.6% ahead), but also puts it 10.1% behind the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X and 5.8% behind the AMD EPYC 9684X.

The conclusion from the benchmark data is that the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers superior measured performance in every recorded test, with the largest advantages in single-threaded throughput and physics workloads. The Intel Xeon 6980P offers more cores, more cache, and more memory bandwidth on paper, but the recorded scores show the AMD part converting its architecture into higher performance across the board.