Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 5520+

CPU

GPU

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

32 Cores64 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2019

Threadripper family

Buy on Amazon

Xeon Gold 5520+

28 Cores56 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2023

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 5520+ Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

32 / 64

62,946

+2.8%

Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Ryzen AI Max 390

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

Ryzen 9 9955HX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Xeon Gold 5520+

28 / 56

61,227

0.0%

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 5520+ 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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 5520+: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +59.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,739 vs 25,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 56.5 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $1,083 MSRP).
❌36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5520+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5520+

2023

Why buy it

✅+82% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $3,408 less on MSRP ($1,083 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 303.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 56.5 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($1,083 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5520+ better than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is ahead with a 59.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ pulls ahead with 82% better Geekbench multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X also has the bigger cache pool with 143.8% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 53 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 5520+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 82% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 28 cores and 56 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 5520+ is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 5520+ comes in $3,408 cheaper on MSRP at $1,083 MSRP versus $4,491 MSRP, and it still gives you 82% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 59.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 303.4% better value on MSRP (56.5 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 5520+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of TR4, more multi-core headroom with 28 cores / 56 threads instead of 32/64, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 5520+ Technical Specifications

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

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 Gold 5520+

The Xeon Gold 5520+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 28 cores and 56 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 52.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,227 points. Launch price was $1,640.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 28 cores / 56 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X scores 62,946 against the Xeon Gold 5520+'s 61,227 — a 2.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,664 vs 1,600, a 3.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,739 vs 25,000 (58.1% advantage for the Xeon Gold 5520+). L3 cache: 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs 52.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 5520+.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 5520+
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+14%	28 / 56
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+13%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+68%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB+144%	52.5 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark	62,946+3%	61,227
Cinebench R23 Multi	44,510	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,664+4%	1,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,739	25,000+82%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5520+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 5520+ — the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 5520+ supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 5520+). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 5520+) — the Xeon Gold 5520+ offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) and C741 (Xeon Gold 5520+).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 5520+
Socket	TR4	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	4096 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	80+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 5520+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 5520+). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 5520+ targets Enterprise Server. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 3970X rivals Core i9-10980XE; Xeon Gold 5520+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 5520+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Enterprise Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X was priced at $4491, while the Xeon Gold 5520+ came in at $1083. On launch pricing ($4491 vs $1083), Xeon Gold 5520+ was $3408 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 56.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5520+ — making the Xeon Gold 5520+ the 120.5% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 5520+
MSRP	$4491	$1083-76%
Performance per Dollar	14.0	56.5+304%
Release Date	2019	2023

Search Ryzen Threadripper 3970X on Amazon

Search Xeon Gold 5520+ on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.