Ryzen Threadripper 3970XvsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a 32-core workhorse for professionals still on the TR4 platform, while the 9970X is its modern successor for those building on sTR5.
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Matisse · 7 nm · 2019
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Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025
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Overall Performance Score
A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.
Side-by-Side Specs
Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.
Which should you buy?
The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins overall with much faster performance and modern architecture, leaving the older 3970X behind.
For budget/value buyers, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the smarter pick if you find it cheaply on older platforms.
The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the right choice when you need a working high-core-count CPU without upgrading your motherboard and memory.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (64 vs 38 out of 100), so it leads the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 68% 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 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. 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.