Core i9-9960X vs Ryzen 9 8945H
Core i9-9960X
Ryzen 9 8945H
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9960X
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 8945H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9960X | Ryzen 9 8945H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9960X | Ryzen 9 8945H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 8945H
Core i9-9960X
The Core i9-9960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,927 points. Launch price was $1,684.
Ryzen 9 8945H
The Ryzen 9 8945H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,240 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core i9-9960X packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8945H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9960X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9960X versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8945H — a 14.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i9-9960X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9960X scores 29,927 against the Ryzen 9 8945H's 30,240 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,650 vs 2,617, a 45.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,700 vs 12,662 (16.8% advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H). L3 cache: 22 MB (total) on the Core i9-9960X vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 9 8945H.
| Feature | Core i9-9960X | Ryzen 9 8945H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+100% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz | 5.2 GHz+16% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 4 GHz+29% |
| L3 Cache | 22 MB (total)+38% | 16 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 8 MB+700% |
| Process | 14 nm | 4 nm-71% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 29,927 | 30,240+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 17,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,650 | 2,617+59% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,700 | 12,662+18% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9960X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9960X versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 8945H — the Ryzen 9 8945H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 8945H supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9960X) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 8945H). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9960X) vs 20 (Ryzen 9 8945H) — the Core i9-9960X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9960X) and FP7,FP7r2,FP8 (Ryzen 9 8945H).
| Feature | Core i9-9960X | Ryzen 9 8945H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | FP7/FP7r2/FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-5600+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 44+120% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-9960X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9960X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 8945H). The Ryzen 9 8945H includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Core i9-9960X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-9960X targets HEDT, Ryzen 9 8945H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 8945H rivals Core i9-13900H.
| Feature | Core i9-9960X | Ryzen 9 8945H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Radeon 780M |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | HEDT | Gaming |
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