AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX vs Intel Core i7-8700K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX and the Intel Core i7-8700K is decisively one-sided in raw performance. Across all eight shared tests, the AMD processor wins every single matchup. The most dramatic gaps appear in multi-threaded workloads, where the Threadripper PRO 5995WX's 64 cores and 128 threads simply overwhelm the 6-core, 12-thread i7-8700K.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD part scores 81,175 against the Intel's 11,527, a delta of 604.2%. The single-core R23 result tells a similar story, with the Threadripper PRO 5995WX posting 11,460 versus 1,627 for the i7-8700K, a 604.4% advantage. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite: R15 multi-core shows 8,182 versus 1,161 (604.7% delta), R15 single-core shows 1,155 versus 163 (608.6% delta), R20 multi-core shows 34,093 versus 4,841 (604.3% delta), and R20 single-core shows 4,813 versus 683 (604.7% delta). The consistency of these deltas, hovering around 604% across every Cinebench version, indicates that the performance gap scales almost perfectly with the core and thread count disparity rather than any architectural quirk.

Geekbench results are less lopsided but still firmly favor AMD. In Geekbench multi-core, the Threadripper PRO 5995WX scores 16,598 against the i7-8700K's 7,140, a 132.5% advantage. Single-core Geekbench narrows the gap considerably: 1,947 versus 1,575, a 23.6% lead for AMD. This single-core margin is notable because the i7-8700K has a higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz), yet the newer Zen 3 architecture still delivers superior single-threaded performance despite the clock deficit.

The average benchmark score for the Threadripper PRO 5995WX is 19,928, placing it at the 74th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i7-8700K averages 19,238, sitting at the 73rd percentile. Despite the enormous gulf in multi-threaded throughput, the average scores are close because the i7-8700K's benchmark portfolio includes additional PassMark tests that the AMD part does not share in this comparison, and the percentile rankings reflect the broader CPU landscape rather than just this head-to-head.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and market segments. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX belongs to the 5000 series, built on the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Chagall PRO, and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node. It packs 33,200 million transistors across an 8-chiplet design with a die size of 8x 81 mm². The Intel Core i7-8700K uses the older Coffee Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, with a monolithic die measuring 154 mm² and no transistor count listed in the database.

Core configuration differences are extreme. The Threadripper PRO 5995WX offers 64 cores and 128 threads, while the i7-8700K provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache hierarchies reflect this scale: AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel also uses 64 KB L1 per core but only 256 KB of L2 per core, and a comparatively tiny 12 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper PRO's L3 cache alone is over 21 times larger than the i7-8700K's entire L3 pool.

Memory subsystems diverge sharply. The AMD processor supports DDR4 across an eight-channel memory bus, delivering 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel part also uses DDR4 but only across a dual-channel bus, yielding 42.7 GB/s. That is a 4.8x bandwidth advantage for the Threadripper PRO, which matters enormously for memory-intensive workstation workloads. ECC memory support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel chip.

PCIe connectivity differs by a generation and a factor of eight. The Threadripper PRO 5995WX provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-8700K offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This positions the AMD part for multi-GPU workstation configurations and high-speed NVMe storage arrays, whereas the Intel part is limited to conventional desktop expansion.

The i7-8700K includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 630; the Threadripper PRO 5995WX has no integrated graphics at all, reflecting its workstation/server orientation. The AMD chip is also multiplier-locked, while the i7-8700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The i7-8700K carries a launch MSRP of $359, while the Threadripper PRO 5995WX launched at $6,499. The Intel processor is marked end-of-life, whereas the AMD part remains in active production.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX wins every shared benchmark, so the practical question is not whether it wins, but by how much and in which workloads the gap matters most. The largest deltas come in Cinebench, where all six tests show leads between 604.2% and 608.6%. These tests are highly parallel and scale directly with core count, so the 64-core Threadripper PRO is nearly ideal for rendering, simulation, and other heavily threaded content creation tasks. The 81175 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core indicates a processor that can chew through lengthy render jobs and complex physics simulations without breaking a sweat.

Geekbench multi-core shows a 132.5% lead, which is substantial but smaller than the Cinebench gap. This suggests that Geekbench's workload mix includes more latency-sensitive and less perfectly parallel sections, where the i7-8700K's higher boost clock and mature single-thread performance can partially compensate. Still, a 132.5% multi-core advantage is massive for any production environment.

The smallest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where AMD leads by only 23.6%. This is the i7-8700K's best showing and indicates that for purely single-threaded applications, such as older software, light scripting, or some legacy productivity tools, the two processors are in the same performance class. The i7-8700K's 4.70 GHz boost clock helps it stay competitive despite being three generations older in architecture.

For the Intel part, its wins are contextual rather than benchmark-based. It has integrated graphics, so systems built around it do not require a discrete GPU for basic display output. Its 95 W TDP is far lower than the Threadripper PRO's 280 W, making it viable in compact desktop builds with modest cooling. The unlocked multiplier allows enthusiast overclocking, and the dual-channel memory configuration is sufficient for gaming and general desktop use. None of these advantages show up in the shared benchmark list, but they define where the i7-8700K remains practical.

The Threadripper PRO 5995WX, with eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, is built for servers and workstations. Its 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and ECC support make it suitable for data centers, scientific computing, and professional visualization. The 256 MB L3 cache benefits workloads with large working sets that fit in cache, such as database queries and compression pipelines.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD processor scores 81,175 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-8700K scores 11,527. This represents a 604.2% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-8700K win any of the shared benchmarks?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX wins all eight shared benchmarks, including every Cinebench and Geekbench test.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, compared to 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes on the Intel Core i7-8700K.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Threadripper PRO 5995WX supports eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-8700K supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-8700K have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i7-8700K includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8700K does not.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear separation of purpose. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX is a server and workstation processor designed for maximum parallel throughput. Its 64 cores, 128 threads, 256 MB L3 cache, eight-channel memory, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it the correct choice for rendering farms, scientific simulations, heavy virtualization, and any workload that scales across many threads. With a 604.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 132.5% lead in Geekbench multi-core, it is in a different performance class entirely from the i7-8700K. The 74th percentile ranking and active production status reinforce that this is a current, high-end part.

The Intel Core i7-8700K, despite losing every shared benchmark, remains relevant for a specific audience. Its 6 cores and 12 threads are adequate for gaming, general desktop use, and lightly threaded productivity. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic builds. The 95 W TDP allows for compact cooling solutions. The unlocked multiplier appeals to overclockers. At a launch MSRP of $359, it occupies a completely different price class than the $6,499 Threadripper PRO. The 73rd percentile ranking, close to the AMD part's 74th, reflects that average benchmark scores are influenced by the full test suite, not just the shared head-to-head tests.

The choice is straightforward. Anyone needing massive multi-threaded compute, extensive memory bandwidth, ECC reliability, or expansive PCIe expansion should select the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX. Anyone building a cost-conscious desktop for gaming or everyday tasks, where integrated graphics and low power draw matter more than core count, will find the i7-8700K acceptable despite its end-of-life status. The benchmark data does not suggest that the i7-8700K competes with the Threadripper PRO in any performance dimension; it simply occupies a different tier with different priorities.