CPU Showdown

Ryzen Threadripper 9970XvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a 32-core processor for workstation builders who need serious multi-threaded grunt without going overboard, while the 9980X is a 64-core monster aimed at professionals who want maximum parallel processing power.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
32C / 64T · 350W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
64C / 128T · 350W
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

64score
4.4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

86score
3.9/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.4 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 9970X
64
Ryzen Threadripper 9980XWinner
86
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X leads by 34.4% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#1EPYC 9755100
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

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

SpecsRyzen Threadripper 9970XRyzen Threadripper 9980X
Cores
Total Cores3264
Threads64128
Base Clock4.0 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost Clock5.4 GHz5.4 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache32 MB64 MB
L3 Cache128 MB256 MB
Platform
SocketsTR5sTR5
MemoryDDR5DDR5
PCIePCIe 5.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP350W350W
General
Process4 nm4 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins overall for professionals needing maximum multi-threaded horsepower.

Best value

For budget-conscious buyers, the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X offers strong performance at a much lower cost.

When the other wins

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the right choice when your work doesn't fully use all those extra cores.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (86 vs 64 out of 100), so it leads the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 34% faster than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X 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.