AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and the Intel Core 5 330 occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The data records a clean sweep for the AMD part across all seventeen head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the magnitude of that victory varies wildly depending on the workload. The most significant margins appear in multi-threaded tasks, where the Threadripper’s core advantage becomes a chasm. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 59,494 against Intel’s 13,150, a 352.4% delta. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with a 352.4% difference, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the delta is 352.5%. These results indicate that for rendering and heavily parallel compute, the Threadripper PRO 9955WX is in a different performance class entirely.

The single-core comparisons are more instructive. The AMD part wins every single-threaded test, but the margins are closer in the PassMark suite. In PassMark single-thread, the AMD chip scores 4,530 against 4,088, a delta of just 10.8%. This is the narrowest gap in the entire dataset. However, the Cinebench single-core results tell a different story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 8,399 versus 1,856, a 352.5% delta. The Cinebench R20 single-core delta is 352.8%, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 354.8% difference. The inconsistency between the PassMark and Cinebench single-thread tests suggests the benchmark methodologies stress different parts of the processor pipeline, with Cinebench favoring the AMD architecture more heavily.

Beyond the rendering tests, the PassMark suite reveals where the Threadripper’s resources dominate. The largest single delta across all tests is in PassMark integer math, where AMD scores 236,120 against Intel’s 33,258, a 610% difference. Data compression shows a 533.9% delta, with scores of 920,954 and 145,287. Extended instructions yield a 496.2% delta, and random string sorting shows a 461.7% delta. These results point to a processor with substantially more execution resources for arithmetic and data manipulation. Floating-point math shows a 256% delta, while physics tests show a 246% delta. The smallest PassMark margin, aside from the single-thread test, is in find prime numbers, where the AMD part leads by 195.6%. The pattern is clear: the more parallel the workload, the more decisive the AMD victory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, and is part of the 9000 series. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The manufacturing process differs significantly: AMD uses a 4 nm node from TSMC, while Intel uses a 3 nm node from its own foundry. The AMD chip is a desktop part with an active production status, while the Intel chip is a mobile part, also active.

Core and thread counts show the starkest contrast. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the Intel chip has no hyperthreading, halving its thread count relative to its core count. The cache hierarchy also differs. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel part has a 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and a 6 MB shared L3. The AMD part’s L3 is over ten times larger. The AMD chip also uses a dual-die design with 2x 70.6 mm² dies and 16,630 million transistors, while the Intel chip has no listed transistor count or die size.

Memory support and I/O capabilities are equally divergent. The AMD part supports DDR5 with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, plus ECC memory support. The Intel part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth, with no ECC support. PCIe connectivity shows AMD with Gen 5 and 128 lanes, while Intel has Gen 4 and 6 lanes. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 330 wins none.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the most extreme test?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD part scores 236,120 against 33,258, a 610% difference.

Q: Is the single-threaded performance gap smaller than the multi-threaded gap?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the delta is only 10.8%, with scores of 4,530 and 4,088. In contrast, the Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a 352.5% delta, indicating the gap depends heavily on the test.

Q: What is the difference in core counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The AMD part has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel part has 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part also has 1 MB L2 per core versus 2.5 MB total L2 for Intel.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The AMD part supports eight-channel memory with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part supports single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show differences in nearly every major category. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. The TDP is 350 watts for AMD versus 15 watts for Intel. The AMD part uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516.

The manufacturing process differs: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm from Intel. The AMD chip has a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel has no listed die size. Transistor count is 16,630 million for AMD, with none listed for Intel. Cache configurations are 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3 for AMD; Intel has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 for AMD with an eight-channel bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by AMD only. PCIe is Gen 5 with 128 lanes for AMD, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are absent on AMD, present as Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel is not. The release dates are 2025-07-22 for AMD and 2026-04-15 for Intel. The launch MSRP is $1649 for AMD and $309 for Intel.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX outperforms the Intel Core 5 330 in every recorded test, with an average benchmark score of 101,041 against 18,345. The AMD part sits in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part is in the 72nd percentile. The AMD chip’s nearest rivals are server-class AMD EPYC parts, with the EPYC 7513 scoring 102,244, just 1.2% higher, and the EPYC 8324P scoring 103,329, 2.2% higher. The Intel chip’s nearest rivals are other low-power Intel parts, including the Core i3-14100 at 18,318, just 0.1% lower, and the Core 7 360 at 18,374, 0.2% higher.

The data indicates the AMD part is for workloads that demand maximum parallel throughput: rendering, scientific computing, data compression, and heavy numerical analysis. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB L3 cache provide the resources for these tasks. The Intel part, with its 6 cores, 6 threads, and 15 watt TDP, is positioned for efficiency-sensitive mobile use. Its integrated graphics and support for LPDDR5X memory make it suitable for portable systems. The single-thread PassMark result, where the AMD part leads by only 10.8%, shows that for lightly threaded tasks the gap narrows, but it never reverses. Any user requiring the performance levels recorded in this database should select the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX. Any user constrained by power or form factor, as indicated by the 15 watt TDP and BGA socket, should select the Intel Core 5 330. The data does not support any other conclusion.