AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Intel Core i7-13700E Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13700E and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX present a fascinating contrast in CPU design philosophy. The data shows a clear split: the Threadripper edges out the Intel chip in every Cinebench test, while the Core i7 dominates Geekbench, particularly in single-threaded performance. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story, with the i7-13700E averaging 7957 against the Threadripper's 7741, yet the head-to-head results show the AMD part winning six of the eight comparisons.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX, though the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Threadripper scores 2869 against the i7-13700E's 2816, a delta of -1.8% in Intel's favor (meaning Intel trails by 1.8%). The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 404 for AMD versus 397 for Intel, a -1.7% gap. These are tight races, but the AMD chip wins every single one of them.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the story remains unchanged. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX posts 11956 in multicore, while the i7-13700E manages 11735, a -1.8% delta. Single-core R20 sees AMD ahead again with 1687 against 1656, another -1.8% gap. The largest Cinebench margin appears in R23, where the AMD part scores 28469 multicore and 4019 single-core, versus Intel's 27941 and 3944 respectively, both showing a -1.9% delta. Across all six Cinebench tests, the winner is consistent, but the performance difference is under 2% in every case.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative entirely. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Core i7-13700E scores 12728, which is 17.3% higher than the Threadripper's 10854. That is a massive swing compared to the Cinebench results. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: Intel scores 2437 versus AMD's 1668, a 46.1% advantage for Intel. This is not a marginal victory; it is a decisive statement about architectural efficiency in lightly-threaded workloads.

What is notable here is the inconsistency between benchmark suites. The Cinebench tests suggest near-parity, with AMD holding a slight edge. The Geekbench tests suggest Intel holds a commanding lead. A builder looking at the average benchmark score of 7957 for Intel and 7741 for AMD sees a 2.8% overall advantage for the i7-13700E, but that average masks the divergent workload behaviors.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads as measured by Cinebench. All three Cinebench versions — R15, R20, and R23 — in both single-core and multicore tests go to AMD, though the margins are slim. For a workstation running render jobs that scale across cores and threads, the Threadripper's consistent, if modest, lead suggests it holds a slight edge in this specific type of computation. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration with a 64 MB L3 cache appears well-suited to these tasks.

The Intel Core i7-13700E wins decisively in Geekbench, which typically emphasizes memory latency, branch prediction, and turbo behavior. The 17.3% multicore lead and the 46.1% single-core lead are substantial. For workloads that are latency-sensitive or rely on high-frequency single-thread execution, the i7-13700E is the clear choice. Its 5.10 GHz boost clock, compared to the Threadripper's 4.30 GHz, likely plays a role here, though the benchmark data alone is sufficient to make the case.

In terms of percentile ranking, both processors sit at the 64th percentile against all CPUs, indicating they are peers in the broader market. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce this positioning. The i7-13700E sits within 1.9% of the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180M and the Intel Xeon Gold 6326, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX is within 2.3% of the Intel Core i5-6500 and 2.2% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. These proximity scores suggest that neither chip is an outlier in its performance class.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Intel Core i7-13700E uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. It features 16 cores and 24 threads, with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses Zen 2 architecture with the Castle Peak codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm process. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a transistor count of 7,600 million spread across two 74 mm² dies.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of L3 cache. This larger L3 cache on the Threadripper likely contributes to its Cinebench performance, where data reuse across cores matters.

The process node difference is also notable: 10 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD. The TSMC 7 nm process allows AMD to pack more transistors — 7,600 million versus an unspecified count for Intel — into a smaller total die area. The Threadripper's dual-die design with 74 mm² per die contrasts with Intel's monolithic 257 mm² die.

Memory architecture diverges as well. The Threadripper supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The i7-13700E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, but the FACT PACK does not list a bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory, which is important for workstation reliability.

Specification Differences

The specifications that differ between these two processors are numerous and consequential. The Intel Core i7-13700E has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The base clock rates show a substantial gap: 1900 MHz for Intel versus 4000 MHz for AMD. Boost clocks are closer but still different: 5.10 GHz for Intel versus 4.30 GHz for AMD.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i7-13700E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX has a TDP of 280 watts. That is a 4.3x difference in power envelope, which has implications for cooling and system build requirements, though the FACT PACK does not provide specific cooler recommendations.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the i7-13700E versus AMD Socket WRX8 for the Threadripper. The Intel part includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. The Threadripper supports 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part supports 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Memory channels differ: dual-channel for Intel versus eight-channel for AMD.

The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part is locked. The Intel part was released on 2023-01-03, while the AMD part was released on 2020-07-13. Both are marked as Active in production status. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 28469 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i7-13700E scores 27941. The AMD part wins by a -1.9% delta, meaning it leads by 1.9%.

Q: How large is the Intel chip's advantage in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700E scores 2437 in Geekbench single-core against the AMD's 1668, representing a 46.1% advantage for Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-13700E and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has a listed memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s over an eight-channel DDR4 bus. The Intel Core i7-13700E supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, but no bandwidth figure is listed.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700E has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 12 cores. Both have 24 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has a TDP of 280 watts.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. If the workload is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the consistent, if slight, winner. The six Cinebench victories, all with deltas around 1.8-1.9%, show a reliable edge in this specific benchmark family. The 64 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory subsystem likely support this performance, and the 280-watt TDP indicates the power budget is there for sustained loads.

If the workload is more general-purpose or benefits from high-frequency single-thread execution, the Intel Core i7-13700E is the better pick. The 46.1% single-core advantage in Geekbench is not a small margin; it is a generational gap. The 17.3% multicore lead in Geekbench also suggests that Intel's architecture handles mixed workloads more efficiently. The 65-watt TDP makes it a far more manageable chip for system builders who do not want to deal with the cooling and power requirements of a 280-watt part.

The average benchmark scores favor Intel at 7957 versus 7741, and both sit at the 64th percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip tell a similar story: the i7-13700E trades blows with server-class Xeons, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX sits near older desktop and HEDT parts. For a builder prioritizing raw multi-threaded rendering in a workstation context, the Threadripper's Cinebench wins matter. For a builder wanting a flexible, high-frequency desktop processor that still delivers strong multi-core performance, the i7-13700E's Geekbench dominance and lower power envelope make it the practical choice. The data does not support a single winner; it supports two different tools for two different jobs.