CPU Showdown

Core i9-9920XvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Intel Core i9-9920X is a 12-core server-derived chip for prosumers who want high single-thread speed, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a 32-core monster for creators who need maximum multi-threaded grunt.

Intel Core i9-9920X
12C / 24T · 165W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i9-9920X

Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2018

15score
3.8/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
12 / 24
TDP
165W
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
L3 Cache
19.25 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 i9-9920X
15
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 300.0% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#163Core i7-14701TE15
#164Core i9-9920X15
#165Core i9-11900KF15
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

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

SpecsCore i9-9920XRyzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores1232
Threads2464
Base Clock3.5 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.5 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache12 MB32 MB
L3 Cache19.25 MB128 MB
Platform
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP165W350W
General
Process14 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall for its far higher core count and faster boost clock, making it vastly more capable for heavy workloads than the older Core i9-9920X.

Best value

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the smarter pick for budget buyers needing top multi-threaded performance, as it offers far more cores and faster speeds.

When the other wins

The Core i9-9920X is the right choice if you need a lower-power CPU for a legacy workstation build on the older LGA2066 platform.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i9-9920X 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 15 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-9920X in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i9-9920X?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 300% faster than the Core i9-9920X overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i9-9920X or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i9-9920X 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.