Core i9-9960XvsRyzen Threadripper 7980X
The Intel Core i9-9960X is a high-end desktop CPU for professionals who needed 16 cores in 2018, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is a modern workstation monster for creators who want 64 cores today.
Core i9-9960X
Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2018
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Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023
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Overall Performance Score
A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.
Side-by-Side Specs
Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.
Which should you buy?
The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X wins overall with vastly more cores and memory, making it far faster for heavy workloads than the Core i9-9960X.
Budget buyers should pick the Core i9-9960X if they find it cheap, as it offers decent multi-threading without paying for extreme core counts.
The Core i9-9960X is the right choice when you need a capable CPU for older platforms and don't want to upgrade your motherboard.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-9960X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (82 vs 18 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-9960X in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X than the Core i9-9960X?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is roughly 356% faster than the Core i9-9960X overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-9960X or the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. If the Core i9-9960X 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.