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 Threadripper 3970X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +56.2% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 96 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 39.2 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $1,565 MSRP).
❌36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon 6710E moves to LGA4710 and DDR5.

Xeon 6710E

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,926 less on MSRP ($1,565 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 179.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.2 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($1,565 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4710 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅37.5% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,400 vs 13,739).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 128 MB).

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

2019

Xeon 6710E

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +56.2% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 96 MB).

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,926 less on MSRP ($1,565 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 179.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.2 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($1,565 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4710 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
✅37.5% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 39.2 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $1,565 MSRP).
❌36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon 6710E moves to LGA4710 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,400 vs 13,739).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 128 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than Xeon 6710E?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 56.2% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data, 32.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 2.5% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 56.2% more average FPS across 46 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better fit. You are getting 32.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 96 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon 6710E makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is 187.0% more expensive on MSRP at $4,491 MSRP versus $1,565 MSRP, and it gives you a 56.2% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon 6710E is also 179.9% better value on MSRP (39.2 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Xeon 6710E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4710 and DDR5 instead of TR4, 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 Threadripper 3970X Benchmark Check

Xeon 6710E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
1080p
low	270 FPS	189 FPS
medium	222 FPS	152 FPS
high	183 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	131 FPS	95 FPS
1440p
low	211 FPS	153 FPS
medium	164 FPS	119 FPS
high	130 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	96 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	98 FPS	71 FPS
medium	81 FPS	59 FPS
high	63 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	51 FPS	38 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Open Xeon 6710E

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
1080p
low	806 FPS	437 FPS
medium	681 FPS	378 FPS
high	528 FPS	306 FPS
ultra	457 FPS	241 FPS
1440p
low	652 FPS	359 FPS
medium	565 FPS	319 FPS
high	458 FPS	266 FPS
ultra	373 FPS	203 FPS
4K
low	381 FPS	222 FPS
medium	333 FPS	201 FPS
high	296 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	135 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Open Xeon 6710E

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
1080p
low	1025 FPS	934 FPS
medium	927 FPS	831 FPS
high	862 FPS	779 FPS
ultra	765 FPS	693 FPS
1440p
low	776 FPS	746 FPS
medium	644 FPS	655 FPS
high	580 FPS	614 FPS
ultra	506 FPS	546 FPS
4K
low	539 FPS	479 FPS
medium	428 FPS	378 FPS
high	381 FPS	334 FPS
ultra	306 FPS	272 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Open Xeon 6710E

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
1080p
low	1325 FPS	918 FPS
medium	1015 FPS	830 FPS
high	1073 FPS	715 FPS
ultra	875 FPS	610 FPS
1440p
low	1031 FPS	710 FPS
medium	900 FPS	620 FPS
high	778 FPS	530 FPS
ultra	656 FPS	450 FPS
4K
low	744 FPS	509 FPS
medium	662 FPS	455 FPS
high	579 FPS	400 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	344 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Open Xeon 6710E

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Xeon 6710E

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 November 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 128 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 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 62,946 points. Launch price was $1,999.

Xeon 6710E

The Xeon 6710E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture. It features 64 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB (per module). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 61,404 points. Launch price was $2,749.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon 6710E offers 64 cores / 64 threads — the Xeon 6710E has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon 6710E — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon 6710E uses Sierra Forest (2024) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X scores 62,946 against the Xeon 6710E's 61,404 — a 2.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,664 vs 1,225, a 30.4% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,739 vs 10,400 (27.7% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X). L3 cache: 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs 96 MB (total) on the Xeon 6710E.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	64 / 64+100%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+41%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+54%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB+33%	96 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	4 MB (per module)+700%
Process	7 nm, 12 nm	Intel 3 nm-57%
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Sierra Forest (2024)
PassMark	62,946+3%	61,404
Cinebench R23 Multi	44,510	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,664+36%	1,225
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,739+32%	10,400

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon 6710E uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus DDR5-5600 on the Xeon 6710E — the Xeon 6710E supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon 6710E supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs 8 (Xeon 6710E). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs 88 (Xeon 6710E) — the Xeon 6710E offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) and C741 (Xeon 6710E).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
Socket	TR4	LGA4710
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600+25%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	4096 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	88+38%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon 6710E supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6710E). Primary use case: Xeon 6710E targets High Efficiency Server. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 3970X rivals Core i9-10980XE; Xeon 6710E rivals EPYC 9534.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon 6710E
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	High Efficiency Server

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X launched at $4491 MSRP, while the Xeon 6710E debuted at $1565. On MSRP ($4491 vs $1565), the Xeon 6710E is $2926 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 39.2 pts/$ for the Xeon 6710E — making the Xeon 6710E the 94.7% better value option.