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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $3,900 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $4,099 MSRP).
✅Delivers 242.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 25.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $4,099 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 83,982).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +57.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.9 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($4,099 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌438.5% higher power demand at 350W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $3,900 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $4,099 MSRP).
✅Delivers 242.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 25.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $4,099 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +57.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 83,982).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.9 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($4,099 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌438.5% higher power demand at 350W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3600 is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 57.1% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests. It also has a big cache advantage at 128 MB vs 32 MB.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is the better fit. You are getting 784% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 32 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is 1959.8% more expensive on MSRP at $4,099 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 57.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 242.8% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 25.9 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with sTR5 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 32 MB, more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Ryzen 5 3600 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
1080p
low	200 FPS	314 FPS
medium	161 FPS	289 FPS
high	135 FPS	240 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	154 FPS	278 FPS
medium	119 FPS	231 FPS
high	96 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	70 FPS	191 FPS
medium	58 FPS	158 FPS
high	46 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	107 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
1080p
low	442 FPS	818 FPS
medium	404 FPS	697 FPS
high	332 FPS	542 FPS
ultra	295 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	420 FPS	674 FPS
medium	359 FPS	599 FPS
high	303 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	388 FPS
4K
low	297 FPS	377 FPS
medium	259 FPS	339 FPS
high	230 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	201 FPS	271 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
1080p
low	442 FPS	891 FPS
medium	442 FPS	723 FPS
high	442 FPS	649 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	552 FPS
1440p
low	442 FPS	714 FPS
medium	442 FPS	580 FPS
high	442 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	432 FPS	427 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	508 FPS
medium	361 FPS	419 FPS
high	305 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	311 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
1080p
low	442 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	442 FPS	1002 FPS
high	442 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	442 FPS	872 FPS
medium	442 FPS	768 FPS
high	442 FPS	674 FPS
ultra	442 FPS	587 FPS
4K
low	442 FPS	636 FPS
medium	442 FPS	568 FPS
high	413 FPS	504 FPS
ultra	357 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 3600 Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 128 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: 106,263 points. Launch price was $4,099.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX has 26 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX — a 25% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX's 106,263 — a 142.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 83,982 (159.4% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 3,200, a 84.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 31,000 (176.9% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	32 / 64+433%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	5.4 GHz+29%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	128 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	7 nm, 12 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	17,685	106,263+501%
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500	83,982+784%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,295	3,200+147%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	31,000+1533%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus DDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
Socket	AM4	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-6400+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	128+433%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX rivals Xeon w7-3465X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	true
Target Use	Gaming/Budget Workstation	High-end Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 3600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX debuted at $4099. On MSRP ($199 vs $4099), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $3900 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 25.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 109.7% better value option.