CPU Showdown

Ryzen Threadripper 3970XvsRyzen Threadripper 7980X

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a 32-core workhorse for professionals who need solid multi-threaded performance without breaking the bank, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is a 64-core monster for those who demand the absolute highest throughput in rendering and simulation.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
32C / 64T · 280W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
64C / 128T · 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 7980X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

82score
3.7/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz
L3 Cache
256 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 7980XWinner
82
Ryzen Threadripper 7980X leads by 115.8% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#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 7980X
Cores
Total Cores3264
Threads64128
Base Clock3.7 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost Clock4.5 GHz5.1 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache16 MB64 MB
L3 Cache128 MB256 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 7980X dominates overall with double the cores and much faster performance for heavy workloads.

Best value

For budget/value buyers, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the smarter pick if you need strong multi-threading without paying top dollar.

When the other wins

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the right choice when your tasks don't need the extreme core count of the 7980X.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (82 vs 38 out of 100), so it leads the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X than the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is roughly 116% 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 7980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. 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.