AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core 3 201E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and Intel Core 3 201E occupy opposite ends of the desktop processor spectrum. The recorded data shows a 17 to 0 benchmark sweep in favor of the AMD part, with the Threadripper PRO 9955WX delivering between 264.2% and 592% higher scores across all head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 3 201E, meanwhile, posts a 73rd percentile ranking versus 97th for the AMD chip, and its average benchmark score of 19,056 is roughly 18% of the AMD processor’s 101,041 average. These are not competing products in any practical sense; the data describes two distinct market tiers.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count, memory bandwidth, or PCIe lane availability. It uses 16 cores and 32 threads, runs at a 4.50 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost clock, and carries a 350 W thermal design power. The Intel Core 3 201E offers 4 cores and 8 threads, a 3.60 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost clock, and a 60 W TDP. The benchmark results confirm that the AMD part leads in every measured category, from single-thread performance (30.1% ahead in PassMark single-thread tests) to multi-threaded rendering (371.7% ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core).

The Intel Core 3 201E should be selected only for scenarios where its lower power envelope, integrated graphics, and smaller platform footprint matter more than raw performance. It includes UHD Graphics 730, whereas the Threadripper PRO 9955WX has no integrated graphics. The Intel chip also supports dual-channel memory, while the AMD part uses eight channels. For a basic desktop with modest compute needs, the Core 3 201E is functional, but the database shows no benchmark where it outperforms the AMD processor. The verdict is unambiguous: the Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the performance leader, and the Core 3 201E is a low-power entry point with no performance advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, with a codename of Shimada Peak. It is built on AMD Socket sTR5 and is listed under the 9000 series. The Intel Core 3 201E uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process from Intel, fitting the Intel Socket 1700. The process node difference is substantial: 4 nm versus 10 nm, which partly explains the AMD chip’s higher clock speeds and efficiency per transistor, though the AMD part consumes far more power overall.

The transistor counts differ sharply. The AMD processor packs 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel chip has no listed transistor count but uses a single 163 mm² die. Cache hierarchy also diverges. The AMD part provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. The Intel chip provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The AMD L3 cache is over five times larger, which benefits workloads with large working sets.

Memory architecture is another major split. The Threadripper PRO 9955WX supports DDR5 only, with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 3 201E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. That is a 5.3x difference in theoretical memory bandwidth, directly influencing the multi-threaded benchmark gaps. PCIe connectivity also favors AMD: the Threadripper PRO 9955WX offers Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. That is a 4x core count difference and a 4x thread count difference.

Q: How much faster is the AMD processor in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD processor scores 59,494 versus 12,613 for the Intel chip, a 371.7% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 24,987 versus 5,297, also a 371.7% lead. The R15 multi-core test shows 5,996 versus 1,271, a 371.8% gap.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 201E have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 201E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX lists integrated graphics as N/A, meaning it requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX supports DDR5 only, with an eight-channel memory bus. The Intel Core 3 201E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but with a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, and so does the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX leads in single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4,530 versus 3,482 for the Intel chip, a 30.1% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 8,399 versus 1,780, a 371.9% lead.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has a launch MSRP of $1649. The Intel Core 3 201E has a launch MSRP of $134.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field. Core count: 16 versus 4. Thread count: 32 versus 8. Base clock: 4.50 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. Boost clock: 5.40 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. TDP: 350 W versus 60 W. Socket: AMD Socket sTR5 versus Intel Socket 1700. Process node: 4 nm versus 10 nm. Foundry: TSMC versus Intel. Die size: 2x 70.6 mm² versus 163 mm². Transistor count: 16,630 million versus not listed.

Cache configuration differs per core and total. L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core. L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache: 64 MB versus 12 MB shared. Memory support: DDR5 only versus DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bus: eight-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth: 409.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. PCIe: Gen 5 with 128 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: N/A versus UHD Graphics 730. Multiplier: unlocked versus locked. Part number: 100-000000725 versus SRVTR.

Release dates also differ: the AMD processor was released on 2025-07-22, while the Intel chip was released on 2025-01-12. The AMD part is listed under the Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 4 (Storm Peak)) generation, while the Intel chip is listed under Core 3 (Bartlett Lake). The AMD processor has a production status of Active, and the Intel chip also has a production status of Active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX, with 17 wins and 0 losses. The smallest margin is in PassMark single-thread, where the AMD part scores 4,530 versus 3,482, a 30.1% lead. That is the only test under 100% difference. Every other test shows the AMD processor at least 264.2% ahead.

In Cinebench tests, the margins are remarkably consistent. R15 multi-core: 5,996 versus 1,271, a 371.8% lead. R15 single-core: 846 versus 179, a 372.6% lead. R20 multi-core: 24,987 versus 5,297, a 371.7% lead. R20 single-core: 3,527 versus 747, a 372.2% lead. R23 multi-core: 59,494 versus 12,613, a 371.7% lead. R23 single-core: 8,399 versus 1,780, a 371.9% lead. The consistency across versions indicates the performance ratio is stable across workload scaling.

PassMark tests show larger gaps in some cases. Data compression: 920,954 versus 164,160, a 461% lead. Data encryption: 44,389 versus 8,931, a 397% lead. Extended instructions: 76,363 versus 11,035, a 592% lead. Find prime numbers: 337 versus 57, a 491.2% lead. Floating point math: 156,215 versus 33,260, a 369.7% lead. Integer math: 236,120 versus 43,894, a 437.9% lead. Multithread: 67,035 versus 14,839, a 351.7% lead. Physics: 4,156 versus 1,141, a 264.2% lead. Random string sorting: 99,813 versus 17,783, a 461.3% lead.

The largest single margin is in extended instructions, where the AMD chip is 592% ahead. This indicates a massive advantage in vectorized or specialized instruction workloads. The smallest multi-threaded margin is physics at 264.2%, still a dominant lead. The average benchmark score confirms the gap: 101,041 for the AMD part versus 19,056 for the Intel chip.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins every benchmark category in the database. Its largest margins are in extended instructions (592%), prime number finding (491.2%), and random string sorting (461.3%), all of which benefit from the combination of 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB L3 cache. The smallest margin is in single-thread performance, where the AMD chip still leads by 30.1%, thanks to a 5.40 GHz boost clock versus 4.80 GHz for the Intel part. The AMD processor also dominates in memory-heavy workloads due to eight-channel DDR5 with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, compared to dual-channel with 76.8 GB/s.

The Intel Core 3 201E has no benchmark wins, but its specification profile suggests a different use case. With a 60 W TDP, it consumes far less power than the 350 W AMD part. It includes integrated graphics, which the AMD chip lacks, making it suitable for systems without a discrete GPU. Its dual-channel memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers platform flexibility. The Intel chip also uses the more common Intel Socket 1700, which may have lower platform costs, though no pricing data beyond launch MSRP is available.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, memory bandwidth, or PCIe lane count, the data points exclusively to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX. For users who need a low-power desktop processor with integrated graphics and modest compute requirements, the Intel Core 3 201E is the only one of the two that fits that description. The benchmark results do not show any overlap in performance capability; the AMD part is categorically faster in every recorded test.