CPU Showdown

Ryzen Threadripper 3970XvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a high-core-count workstation CPU for heavy multitasking and content creation, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the newer, faster version for professionals who need top-tier single-threaded responsiveness.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C / 64T · 280W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Matisse · 7 nm · 2019

38score
4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
280W
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

60score
4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
38
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 57.9% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#13Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D39
#14Ryzen Threadripper 3970X38
#15Ryzen 9 7950X3D37
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsRyzen Threadripper 3970XRyzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores3232
Threads6464
Base Clock3.7 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.5 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache16 MB32 MB
L3 Cache128 MB128 MB
Platform
SocketTR4sTR5
MemoryDDR4DDR5
PCIePCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP280W350W
General
ArchitectureMatisseStorm Peak
Process7 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall thanks to its much faster architecture and higher boost speeds.

Best value

For budget buyers, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the smarter pick if you can find it cheaply, offering similar core counts.

When the other wins

The older Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the right choice when you need compatibility with existing TR4 motherboards and don't require the newest features.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (60 vs 38 out of 100), so it leads the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 58% faster than the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 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.