AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core 7 253PQE Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 7 253PQE. The Threadripper part is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count, memory bandwidth, or PCIe connectivity. Its average benchmark score of 101041 places it at the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE sits at the 91st percentile with an average score of 55919.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE is a lower-power desktop part with 10 cores, 20 threads, and a 125 W TDP. It is not competitive with the Threadripper in any measured test. The data shows a 89.5% advantage for AMD in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and even in the closest test, PassMark single-thread, the AMD part still leads by 3.2%. For a builder assembling a workstation, the Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the only rational choice from this data, provided the platform cost is acceptable. The Intel part occupies a different market segment entirely, and its only practical advantage is a much lower launch MSRP of $409 compared to $1649 for the AMD, though price differences are outside the scope of this performance analysis.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC. It has 16 cores and 32 threads. Its cache layout consists of 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. The chip is built on the AMD Socket sTR5 platform with a codename of Shimada Peak. It supports DDR5 memory across an eight-channel bus, providing 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. ECC memory is supported. The processor exposes 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. It has no integrated graphics. The TDP is rated at 350 W, and the base clock is 4.50 GHz with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE uses a 10 nm process from Intel Foundry. It has 10 cores and 20 threads. Its cache layout is different: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The codename is Bartlett Lake, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, but only across a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. ECC memory is supported. PCIe connectivity is limited to 16 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The processor includes UHD Graphics 770 as integrated graphics. The TDP is 125 W, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD chip is built from 16,630 million transistors across 2x 70.6 mm² dies; no transistor or die size data is recorded for the Intel part.

The most significant architectural differences are core count (16 vs 10), memory channels (eight vs dual), PCIe lanes (128 vs 16), and process node (4 nm vs 10 nm). The AMD part also carries a 350 W TDP versus 125 W for Intel, reflecting the much larger power envelope available to the Threadripper.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins every benchmark in the database. The largest margins appear in multi-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads. PassMark extended instructions shows a 135.8% advantage for AMD, indicating a substantial lead in SIMD and encryption-related instruction throughput. PassMark data compression shows an 89% lead, and Cinebench R23 multi-core shows an 89.5% lead. These results point to a processor that is dramatically faster for rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, and any workload that uses many cores.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE does not win any recorded benchmark. Its closest result is PassMark single-thread, where it scores 4389 against 4530 for AMD, a 3.2% deficit. This indicates that in lightly threaded tasks, the Intel part is relatively closer, but still behind. The Intel part also has integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks, so for a system that requires a display output without a discrete GPU, the Intel chip is the only option from this comparison. The Intel part also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which gives platform flexibility, but the dual-channel bus severely limits memory bandwidth compared to the eight-channel AMD design.

For a pure performance perspective, the AMD part is the winner in every category. The Intel part is only relevant for low-power or integrated-graphics scenarios, but even then, the performance gap is large.

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 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD part uses an eight-channel DDR5 bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part uses a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, supporting both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each CPU provide?

A: The AMD part provides 128 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part provides 16 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has an average benchmark score of 101041, placing it at the 97th percentile. The Intel Core 7 253PQE has an average score of 55919, at the 91st percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 5996 against 3163 for Intel, an 89.6% lead. In single-core R15, AMD leads 846 to 446, an 89.7% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows AMD at 24987 versus 13183, an 89.5% advantage. R20 single-core gives AMD 3527 against 1861, again 89.5% ahead. Cinebench R23 multi-core records 59494 for AMD and 31390 for Intel, an 89.5% delta, while R23 single-core shows 8399 versus 4431, an 89.6% lead.

The PassMark suite reveals where the AMD part is strongest. Extended instructions is the largest win: AMD scores 76363 against 32390, a 135.8% advantage. Data compression shows 920954 versus 487335, an 89% lead. Random string sorting gives AMD 99813 against 54222, an 84.1% margin. Integer math shows 236120 versus 137795, a 71.4% lead. Data encryption records 44389 against 25515, a 74% advantage. Floating point math gives 156215 versus 105279, a 48.4% lead. Multithread scores 67035 versus 41656, a 60.9% margin. Find prime numbers shows 337 versus 206, a 63.6% lead. Physics records 4156 versus 2970, a 39.9% advantage.

The closest test is PassMark single-thread, where AMD scores 4530 against 4389, a 3.2% lead. This is the only benchmark where the Intel part comes within single digits of the AMD chip. Every other test shows a minimum 39.9% advantage for AMD. The data confirms that the Threadripper PRO 9955WX is not just faster in multi-threaded workloads; it also holds a measurable single-thread lead, despite the Intel part having a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz versus 5.40 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads; the Intel part has 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 3.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.70 GHz for Intel. The TDP is 350 W for AMD and 125 W for Intel.

Cache configurations differ significantly. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. The process node is 4 nm for AMD (TSMC) and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD chip has 16,630 million transistors across 2x 70.6 mm² dies; no such data is recorded for Intel.

Memory support: AMD uses DDR5 only, across eight channels, with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, across dual channels, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity: AMD provides 128 Gen 5 lanes, Intel provides 16 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics: none on AMD, UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part is locked. Sockets differ: AMD Socket sTR5 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $1649, and the Intel part has a launch MSRP of $409. Release dates are 2025-07-22 for AMD and 2026-03-08 for Intel.