AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Core i9-9980XE

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Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX compared with Core i9-9980XE

	AMDRyzen Threadripper 2970WX	IntelCore i9-9980XE
Overview
Released
Released	October 2018	2018
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	24 (better)	18
Threads
Threads	48 (better)	36
Base clock
Base clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.2 GHz	4.5 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	64 MB (better)	24.75 MB
Cores
Cores	Colfax; Zen+ architecture; boxed product ID YD297XAZAFWOF. X399 motherboards may require a BIOS update. AMD's October launch release confirms availability on 29 October 2018; its support page gives October 2018.	Skylake-X refresh; Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model launch table.
Clocks
Clocks	Precision Boost 2, XFR2 and Precision Boost Overdrive supported; AMD's Dynamic Local Mode optimises thread placement on WX models	Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.50 GHz on the preferred cores; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.40 GHz. Intel planned November 2018 availability. ASCII’s contemporary report confirms Japanese retail sale on 21 December 2018, but earlier worldwide sale was not established; year precision is retained.
Cache
Cache	L1 2304 KB; L2 12 MB	24.75 MB Intel Smart Cache; L3 designation confirmed by the exact Newegg listing and ComputerBase’s technical table.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	A separate graphics card is required	No processor graphics, explicitly confirmed by Intel’s exact-model support table.
Platform
Socket
Socket	sTR4	LGA2066
Base power
Base power	250 W	165 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	DDR4; four channels; up to 2933 MT/s	Up to 128 GB; four channels of DDR 4-2666; 85 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 3.0; 64 processor lanes, 72 lanes across the processor and X399 platform	44 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0. The 68-lane family platform figure includes chipset lanes.
Chipsets
Chipsets	–	Intel X 299; LGA 2066.
Process
Process	12 nm	14 nm; Skylake-X refresh.
Cooler
Cooler	No cooler included; maximum operating temperature 68°C	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product. Intel’s support article confirms solder thermal interface material for this exact model; published junction limit 84°C.