AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Intel Core i9-10980XE Comparison

The Intel Core i9-10980XE and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX occupy the same percentile rank (64th) among all CPUs, yet their benchmark profiles diverge sharply. The Intel part wins only one of eight head-to-head tests, but that single victory—in Geekbench multi-core—is a decisive 35.8% margin (14742 vs 10854). The AMD part wins the other seven tests, including every Cinebench iteration, by a consistent 4.7% margin, plus a 12.9% lead in Geekbench single-core. The data suggests the Threadripper PRO is the stronger all-round processor, while the Core i9-10980XE holds a specialty niche in multi-threaded Geekbench workloads.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the superior choice for users prioritizing consistent performance across rendering and single-threaded tasks. It wins every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23) in both single-core and multi-core modes, with a uniform 4.7% delta over the Intel part. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 28469 versus 27130 for the Intel, and in R23 single-core, it posts 4019 versus 3830. This consistency across six Cinebench workloads indicates a well-rounded architecture that excels in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded scenarios.

The Intel Core i9-10980XE, however, demonstrates a clear advantage in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 14742 against the AMD’s 10854—a 35.8% gap. This suggests the Intel chip has a specific strength in workloads that resemble Geekbench’s multi-core suite, which may include certain encryption, physics, or integer-heavy tasks. Users running such applications should favor the Intel part, despite its losses elsewhere.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this split: the Intel averages 7910 across all tests, while the AMD averages 7741. Interestingly, the Intel’s nearest rival list includes the AMD Threadripper PRO 3945WX with a deltaPct of 2.2%, meaning the Intel is 2.2% ahead in its own average. The AMD’s list shows the Intel with a deltaPct of -2.1%, meaning the AMD is 2.1% behind the Intel in the AMD’s average. This discrepancy arises because the Intel’s Geekbench multi-core win (35.8%) inflates its average, masking the AMD’s dominance in the other seven tests.

For a system builder, the choice hinges on workload composition. If the primary applications are Cinebench-style rendering (e.g., 3D animation, visual effects), the Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the data-backed pick. If the workload is dominated by Geekbench multi-core patterns, the Core i9-10980XE offers a substantial margin. The AMD also holds a production status of “Active,” while the Intel is “End-of-life,” suggesting the AMD has a longer support horizon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins seven of eight tests. It loses only Geekbench multi-core (10854 vs 14742) to the Intel Core i9-10980XE.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD scores 28469, while the Intel scores 27130, giving the AMD a 4.7% advantage in that test.

Q: How large is the Intel’s Geekbench multi-core lead?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE scores 14742 versus the AMD’s 10854, a 35.8% margin. This is the largest delta in any head-to-head test.

Q: Do both processors have the same overall percentile ranking?

A: Yes, both are listed at the 64th percentile versus all CPUs, despite their different average benchmark scores (7910 for Intel, 7741 for AMD).

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Geekbench?

A: The AMD scores 1668, and the Intel scores 1453, giving the AMD a 12.9% lead in that specific test.

Q: Which processor has ECC memory support?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports ECC memory (true), while the Intel Core i9-10980XE does not (false).

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different manufacturing and design approaches. The Intel Core i9-10980XE is built on a 14 nm process node at Intel’s own foundry, using the Cascade Lake architecture (codename Cascade Lake-X). It belongs to the Core i9 Extreme X-Series 10th Gen family. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses a 7 nm node from TSMC, based on the Zen 2 architecture (codename Castle Peak), part of the Ryzen Threadripper 3000 series.

The AMD part is a chiplet design, with a transistor count of 7,600 million distributed across two 74 mm² dies. The Intel part does not have listed transistor or die size data in the pack. This chiplet approach likely contributes to the AMD’s higher memory bandwidth (204.8 GB/s) and PCIe lane count (Gen 4, 128 lanes) compared to the Intel’s 93.9 GB/s and Gen 3, 48 lanes.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. Both have 64 KB L1 cache per core and 1 MB L2 per core for the Intel, but the AMD’s L2 is 512 KB per core. The L3 cache is the major divergence: the Intel has 24.75 MB shared, while the AMD has 64 MB total. This larger L3 cache on the AMD likely helps with data-heavy workloads, though the benchmark deltas remain consistent at 4.7% in Cinebench.

The AMD supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not, a notable feature for workstation stability. The AMD also has an eight-channel memory bus versus the Intel’s quad-channel. Both support DDR4 memory, but the AMD’s channel count doubles its theoretical bandwidth (204.8 vs 93.9 GB/s). The AMD’s socket is AMD Socket WRX8, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 2066. The AMD is unlocked? No—the multiplier is locked (false), while the Intel has an unlocked multiplier (true).

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the Intel has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite fewer cores, the AMD wins most multi-threaded tests, indicating higher per-core efficiency. Base clocks favor the AMD (4.00 GHz vs 3.00 GHz), while boost clocks favor the Intel (4.80 GHz vs 4.30 GHz). The TDP is much higher for the AMD at 280 watts, versus 165 watts for the Intel.

Memory bandwidth is a stark difference: the AMD offers 204.8 GB/s via eight channels, while the Intel offers 93.9 GB/s via four channels. PCIe support also diverges: the AMD provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the Intel provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes. The AMD has ECC memory support (true), while the Intel does not (false). The AMD’s transistor count is 7,600 million, and its die size is 2x 74 mm²; the Intel has no listed data for these fields.

The process node is 7 nm for the AMD (TSMC) and 14 nm for the Intel (Intel foundry). The AMD’s production status is “Active,” while the Intel is “End-of-life.” The Intel has a launch MSRP of $1076, while the AMD has no launch MSRP listed. The Intel’s release date is October 2019, and the AMD’s is July 2020. The AMD is a Server/Workstation segment part, while the Intel is Desktop. Both have no integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 2869 versus 2734 for the Intel, a 4.7% win. The same delta appears in R15 single-core (404 vs 385). This pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (11956 vs 11394) and R20 single-core (1687 vs 1608). In R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 28469 versus 27130, and in R23 single-core, 4019 versus 3830. Across all six Cinebench tests, the delta is exactly 4.7%, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage in rendering workloads, regardless of thread count.

The Intel’s sole victory comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 14742 against the AMD’s 10854. This 35.8% margin is the largest in the entire comparison. It is a striking outlier, given that the AMD wins Geekbench single-core by 12.9% (1668 vs 1453). The Intel’s Geekbench multi-core score is 1.36 times its single-core score (14742/1453), whereas the AMD’s is only 6.5 times (10854/1668)—though this ratio is not directly comparable due to different core counts. The data indicates that the Intel’s scaling in Geekbench multi-core is exceptional, far exceeding its Cinebench scaling.

The average benchmark scores reflect this anomaly: the Intel’s average is 7910, slightly above the AMD’s 7741. The Intel’s nearest rivals include the AMD with a deltaPct of 2.2%, meaning the Intel averages 2.2% higher. Conversely, the AMD’s nearest rivals list the Intel with a deltaPct of -2.1%, meaning the AMD averages 2.1% lower than the Intel. This reciprocal relationship is driven by the Intel’s Geekbench multi-core outlier, which pulls its average up despite losing six other tests by 4.7% each.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the clear winner for rendering and single-threaded performance. It wins all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both multi-core and single-core, by a uniform 4.7% margin. This makes it the data-backed choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales with Cinebench’s rendering engine. Its Geekbench single-core win (12.9%) also suggests a slight edge in everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. Furthermore, its ECC memory support, eight-channel memory bus (204.8 GB/s), and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it suitable for workstation-class systems requiring data integrity and high I/O throughput.

The Intel Core i9-10980XE wins exclusively in Geekbench multi-core, with a 35.8% margin over the AMD. This is a massive lead, indicating that workloads resembling Geekbench’s multi-core suite—which may include certain scientific computing, encryption, or integer-heavy tasks—will see a substantial performance advantage on the Intel platform. The Intel also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, and a lower TDP (165 watts versus 280 watts), which may be a consideration for thermal management. Its 18 cores and 36 threads offer more raw thread count than the AMD’s 12 cores and 24 threads, though this does not translate to Cinebench wins. For a user whose primary benchmark is Geekbench multi-core, the Intel is the unequivocal choice. For all other tested workloads, the AMD is superior.