CPU Showdown

Core i9-9900KFvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Intel Core i9-9900KF is a high-clocked gaming CPU for enthusiasts on a classic platform, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a workstation monster built for creators and heavy multitaskers.

Intel Core i9-9900KF
8C / 16T · 95W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i9-9900KF

Coffee Lake-R · 14 nm · 2019

11score
3.8/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
TDP
95W
Boost Clock
5.0 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

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

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

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

Core i9-9900KF
11
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 445.5% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#249Core i9-9900K11
#250Core i9-9900KF11
#251Core i5-1160011
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

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

SpecsCore i9-9900KFRyzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores832
Threads1664
Base Clock3.6 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock5.0 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache2 MB32 MB
L3 Cache16 MB128 MB
Platform
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP95W350W
General
Process14 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall with far more cores and threads for heavy multithreaded workloads.

Best value

For budget buyers, the older Core i9-9900KF is a smarter pick if you already have a compatible motherboard and need basic gaming.

When the other wins

The Core i9-9900KF is the right choice for a low-cost office PC or light gaming build where a new high-end platform isn't justified.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i9-9900KF 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 11 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-9900KF in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i9-9900KF?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 446% faster than the Core i9-9900KF overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i9-9900KF or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i9-9900KF 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.