
Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Core i9-11900K

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

Core i9-11900K
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 Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-11900K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Core i9-11900K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($452) | ✅ More affordable ($435) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (ZEN+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) | ✨ Modern (Rocket Lake (2021) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Core i9-11900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($452) | ✅ More affordable ($435) |
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 Ryzen Threadripper 2920X and Core i9-11900K

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: SP3r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 25,148 points. Launch price was $649.

Core i9-11900K
The Core i9-11900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,990 points. Launch price was $539.
Processing Power
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Core i9-11900K offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900K — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Core i9-11900K uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X scores 25,148 against the Core i9-11900K's 24,990 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900K.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Core i9-11900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24+50% | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 5.2 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB+100% | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 12 nm-14% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | ZEN+ (2018−2019) | Rocket Lake (2021) |
| PassMark | 25,148 | 24,990 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the SP3r2 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-11900K uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Core i9-11900K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP3r2 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X launched at $649 MSRP, while the Core i9-11900K debuted at $539. At current prices ($452 vs $435), the Core i9-11900K is $17 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X delivers 55.6 pts/$ vs 57.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900K — making the Core i9-11900K the 3.2% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Core i9-11900K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $539-17% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $452 | $435-4% |
| Performance per Dollar | 55.6 | 57.4+3% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2021 |
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