CPU Showdown

Core i9-7900XvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Core i9-7900X is a decade-old high-end desktop chip from Intel for enthusiasts who want solid single-threaded speed, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a modern workstation monster from AMD for creators who need massive multi-core grunt.

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C / 20T · 140W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i9-7900X

Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2017

13score
4.1/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
10 / 20
TDP
140W
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
L3 Cache
13.75 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

60score
4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i9-7900X
13
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 361.5% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#206Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE13
#207Core i9-7900X13
#208Core i7-11700F12
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i9-7900XRyzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores1032
Threads2064
Base Clock3.3 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.5 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache10 MB32 MB
L3 Cache13.75 MB128 MB
Platform
SocketSocket R4sTR5
MemoryDDR4DDR5
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP140W350W
General
Process14 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall for its massive multi-core advantage and newer architecture, leaving the Core i9-7900X far behind in performance and efficiency.

Best value

For budget/value buyers, the Core i9-7900X is the smarter pick if you find it cheaply, but the Threadripper 7970X offers far more performance per dollar for demanding workloads.

When the other wins

The Core i9-7900X is the right choice when you need a basic workstation CPU for light tasks and can't upgrade your older motherboard or cooling system.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i9-7900X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (60 vs 13 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-7900X in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i9-7900X?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 362% faster than the Core i9-7900X overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i9-7900X or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i9-7900X is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.