EPYC 7C13 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

AMD

EPYC 7C13

64 Cores128 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.68 GHz2021
VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

64 Cores128 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019

EPYC 7C13 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X Performance Spectrum

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.

EPYC 7C13 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

EPYC 7C13 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

EPYC 7C13

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…+67.8% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • βœ…Costs $1,990 less on MSRP ($2,000 MSRP vs $3,990 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 90.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.2 vs 20.0 PassMark/$ ($2,000 MSRP vs $3,990 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 225W instead of 280W, a 55W reduction.
  • βœ…45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3990X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +17.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (22,045 vs 37,000).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.0 vs 38.2 PassMark/$ ($3,990 MSRP vs $2,000 MSRP).
  • ❌24.4% higher power demand at 280W vs 225W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7C13 better than Ryzen Threadripper 3990X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is ahead with a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7C13 pulls ahead with 67.8% better Geekbench multi-core.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7C13 is the stronger fit. You are getting 67.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7C13 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7C13 comes in $1,990 cheaper on MSRP at $2,000 MSRP versus $3,990 MSRP, and it still gives you 67.8% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 90.7% better value on MSRP (38.2 vs 20.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 7C13 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 64/128. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

EPYC 7C13 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

EPYC 7C13

The EPYC 7C13 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2021-03-01. It is based on the Milan (2021βˆ’2023) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.68 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 76,363 points. Launch price was $5,000.

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

The Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 79,889 points. Launch price was $3,999.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the EPYC 7C13 and Ryzen Threadripper 3990X share an identical 64-core/128-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.68 GHz on the EPYC 7C13 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X β€” a 15.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The EPYC 7C13 uses the Milan (2021βˆ’2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X uses Matisse (2019βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7C13 scores 76,363 against the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X's 79,889 β€” a 4.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 1,538 vs 1,961, a 24.2% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 37,000 vs 22,045 (50.7% advantage for the EPYC 7C13). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7C13 vs 256 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X.

FeatureEPYC 7C13Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
64 / 128
Boost Clock
3.68 GHz
4.3 GHz+17%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.9 GHz+45%
L3 Cache
256 MB (total)
256 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Milan (2021βˆ’2023)
Matisse (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
76,363
79,889+5%
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
64,366
Geekbench 6 Single
1,538
1,961+28%
Geekbench 6 Multi
37,000+68%
22,045
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7C13 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The EPYC 7C13 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB β€” 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7C13) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 3990X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7C13) vs 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 3990X) β€” the EPYC 7C13 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 (EPYC 7C13) and TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3990X).

FeatureEPYC 7C13Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Socket
SP3
TR4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
4096 GB+1500%
256 GB
RAM Channels
8+100%
4
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+45%
88
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (EPYC 7C13) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper 3990X). Primary use case: EPYC 7C13 targets Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7C13 rivals Xeon Platinum 8380; Ryzen Threadripper 3990X rivals Core i9-10980XE.

FeatureEPYC 7C13Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
true
Target Use
Enterprise Server
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7C13 was priced at $2000, while the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X came in at $3990. On launch pricing ($2000 vs $3990), EPYC 7C13 was $1990 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7C13 delivers 38.2 pts/$ vs 20.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X β€” making the EPYC 7C13 the 62.4% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7C13Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
MSRP
$2000-50%
$3990
Performance per Dollar
38.2+91%
20.0
Release Date
2021
2019

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