AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Intel Core i5-4590 Comparison

The benchmark data delivers a decisive outcome: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX completely dominates the Intel Core i5-4590 across every single test in the head-to-head comparison. With eight wins out of eight, the margin of victory is not merely a matter of degree but of scale, often exceeding 500%. The Intel Core i5-4590, while a competent processor in its own era, is outclassed by an order of magnitude in nearly every measurable workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking results come from the Cinebench suite, where the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX demonstrates overwhelming superiority. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Threadripper scores 2869 against the Core i5's 460, a delta of 523.7%. The single-core test in R15 shows an even larger relative gap, with scores of 404 and 64 respectively, representing a 531.3% advantage for the AMD part. This pattern persists across newer versions of the benchmark. In Cinebench R20, the multicore score of 11956 versus 1920 yields a 522.7% delta, while the single-core score of 1687 versus 270 translates to a 524.8% delta. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend, with the Threadripper scoring 28469 to the Core i5's 4573 in multicore (522.5% delta) and 4019 to 645 in single-core (523.1% delta).

The Geekbench results, while still showing a clear victory, reveal a slightly different pattern. The multicore score of 10854 for the Threadripper versus 3156 for the Core i5 represents a 243.9% delta. The single-core Geekbench score is the closest contest in the entire comparison, with the Threadripper's 1668 edging out the Core i5's 1077 by 54.9%. This narrower single-core margin suggests that while the architectural advantage of the newer AMD processor is substantial, the gap is less extreme when only one core is engaged. Nevertheless, the data shows that even in its weakest category relative to the competition, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX still wins decisively.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divergence between these two processors lies in their underlying architecture, which explains the massive performance gulf. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, and manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-4590 uses the Haswell architecture, also its codename, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with just 4 cores and 4 threads. This 3x difference in core count is a primary driver of the multicore benchmark results.

Cache configurations also differ sharply. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a substantial 64 MB of L3 cache. The Core i5-4590 has the same 64 KB L1 per core but only 256 KB of L2 per core and a shared 6 MB of L3 cache. The Threadripper's 64 MB L3 cache is more than ten times larger than the Intel part's, which is a significant factor in workloads that benefit from large, fast data pools. The transistor counts reflect these differences: the AMD processor contains 7,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 74 mm², while the Intel chip has 1,400 million transistors on a single 177 mm² die.

Memory support is another area of stark contrast. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Core i5-4590 supports DDR3 over a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure listed. The AMD processor also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part. PCIe capabilities differ as well, with the Threadripper offering Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i5 provides Gen 3 with no lane count specified. The Intel processor includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4600, while the AMD processor has no integrated graphics listed.

Where Each One Wins

Given the data, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins in every benchmark category tested, but the nature of its wins defines its ideal use cases. The processor is clearly optimized for multi-threaded, heavy computational workloads. Its Cinebench multicore scores, which are over 500% higher than the Core i5's, indicate exceptional performance in 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific simulation. The massive 64 MB L3 cache and eight-channel DDR4 memory support further cement its position for data-intensive server and workstation tasks. The market segment is listed as "Server/Workstation," which aligns perfectly with this profile.

The Intel Core i5-4590, despite losing all head-to-head tests, does have one area where the gap is smallest: Geekbench single-core. The 54.9% delta in this test is far less than the 500%+ deltas seen in Cinebench. This suggests that for lightly-threaded, single-thread-dependent applications, the Core i5 is comparatively less disadvantaged. However, it still loses. The Intel part's integrated graphics also give it a capability the AMD chip lacks entirely, which could matter for basic display output in systems without a discrete GPU. Its lower TDP of 84 watts versus the Threadripper's 280 watts also points to a use case in more power-constrained environments, though the data does not specify cooler requirements.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 28469 in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to the Core i5-4590's 4573, representing a 522.5% delta in favor of the AMD processor.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-4590 competitive in any benchmark?

A: No. The Core i5-4590 loses all eight head-to-head benchmarks. Its closest margin of defeat is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1077 against the Threadripper's 1668, a 54.9% delta.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i5-4590 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-4590 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4590 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is listed as false for the Intel Core i5-4590. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has an average benchmark score of 7741, while the Intel Core i5-4590 has an average score of 7609. The delta between them is 1.7% in favor of the AMD part.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the superior processor by every measurable metric. Its scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core, are over five times higher than those of the Intel Core i5-4590. Geekbench results, while less extreme, still show a clear victory for the AMD part. For anyone building a workstation or server requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the only choice between these two. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, 64 MB of L3 cache, and eight-channel DDR4 memory support make it a formidable tool for rendering, compilation, and simulation tasks.

The Intel Core i5-4590, on the other hand, is a legacy desktop part that is not competitive in this comparison. Its 4 cores and 4 threads, dual-channel DDR3 memory, and older Haswell architecture place it at a fundamental disadvantage. The only areas where it holds any advantage are its integrated graphics and its lower TDP of 84 watts versus 280 watts. For a system requiring a simple, low-power CPU with built-in display output, the Core i5-4590 could still serve a role, but it cannot be recommended for any performance-sensitive workload when the Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the alternative.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX | Intel Core i5-4590 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 24 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 84 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket WRX8 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Haswell |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 7,600 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 2x 74 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2020-07-13 | 2014-04-30 |

| Production Status | Active | Not specified |