Core i9-9990XEvsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Core i9-9990XE is a niche server-derived chip for legacy workstation builds, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a modern multi-threading monster for content creators and heavy multitaskers.
Core i9-9990XE
Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2019
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Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025
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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 9970X wins overall with vastly more cores and faster boost speeds for demanding workloads.
The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the smarter pick for value buyers, offering far more processing power and cache for the money.
The Core i9-9990XE is the right choice if you need a lower-power CPU for a legacy server platform with limited cooling.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-9990XE better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (64 vs 18 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-9990XE in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Core i9-9990XE?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 256% faster than the Core i9-9990XE overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-9990XE or the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. If the Core i9-9990XE 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.