EPYC 9965 vs Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
EPYC 9965
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar EPYC 9965
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | EPYC 9965 | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10,000) | ✅ More affordable ($4,999) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Turin (2024) / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Shimada Peak (2025) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | EPYC 9965 | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+77%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10,000) | ✅ More affordable ($4,999) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of EPYC 9965 and Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
EPYC 9965
The EPYC 9965 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Turin (2024) architecture. It features 192 cores and 384 threads. Base frequency is 2.25 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 384 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: SP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 500 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 160,778 points. Launch price was $14,813.
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 142,069 points. Launch price was $4,999.
Processing Power
The EPYC 9965 packs 192 cores / 384 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the EPYC 9965 has 128 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the EPYC 9965 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X — a 37.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X (base: 2.25 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The EPYC 9965 uses the Turin (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 9965 scores 160,778 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X's 142,069 — a 12.4% lead for the EPYC 9965. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,520 vs 3,220, a 71.7% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 384 MB (total) on the EPYC 9965 vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X.
| Feature | EPYC 9965 | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 192 / 384+200% | 64 / 128 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 5.4 GHz+46% |
| Base Clock | 2.25 GHz | 3.2 GHz+42% |
| L3 Cache | 384 MB (total)+50% | 256 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-25% | 4 nm |
| Architecture | Turin (2024) | Shimada Peak (2025) |
| PassMark | 160,778+13% | 142,069 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 115,098 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,520 | 3,220+112% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 28,666 |
Memory & Platform
The EPYC 9965 uses the SP5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6000 memory speed. The EPYC 9965 supports up to 6 TB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 12 (EPYC 9965) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 9965) vs 80 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) — the EPYC 9965 offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP5 (EPYC 9965) and sTR5,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X).
| Feature | EPYC 9965 | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP5 | sTR5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6000 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 6 TB+500% | 1 TB |
| RAM Channels | 12+200% | 4 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+60% | 80 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV-SNP (EPYC 9965) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X). Primary use case: EPYC 9965 targets Data Center / High Density, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X targets HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 9965 rivals Xeon 6980P; Ryzen Threadripper 9980X rivals Xeon w9-3495X.
| Feature | EPYC 9965 | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V, SEV-SNP | AMD-V, SVM |
| Target Use | Data Center / High Density | HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation |
Value Analysis
The EPYC 9965 launched at $14813 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X debuted at $4999. At current prices ($10000 vs $4999), the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is $5001 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 9965 delivers 16.1 pts/$ vs 28.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X the 55.5% better value option.
| Feature | EPYC 9965 | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $14813 | $4999-66% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10000 | $4999-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.1 | 28.4+76% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2025 |
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