Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+ Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

32 / 64

62,946

+0.5%

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 6438Y+

32 / 64

62,660

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 6438Y+ 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 6438Y+: 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: +43.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 24.0 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).
❌36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6438Y+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6438Y+

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,884 less on MSRP ($2,607 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 71.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($2,607 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.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (62,660 vs 62,946).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 3970X better than Xeon Gold 6438Y+?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 43.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 43.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 128 MB versus 60 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 60 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X comes in 72.3% more expensive on MSRP at $4,491 MSRP versus $2,607 MSRP, and it still gives you a 43.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is also 71.5% better value on MSRP (24.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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, 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 6438Y+ 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 6438Y+

The Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 62,660 points. Launch price was $3,141.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Xeon Gold 6438Y+ share an identical 32-core/64-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X scores 62,946 against the Xeon Gold 6438Y+'s 62,660 — a 0.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. L3 cache: 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	32 / 64
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+13%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+85%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB+113%	60 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	62,946	62,660
Cinebench R23 Multi	44,510	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,664	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,739	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus 4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6438Y+ 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 6438Y+). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+) — the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Socket	TR4	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	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 6438Y+ supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6438Y+). Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 3970X rivals Core i9-10980XE; Xeon Gold 6438Y+ rivals EPYC 9354.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X was priced at $4491, while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ came in at $2607. On launch pricing ($4491 vs $2607), Xeon Gold 6438Y+ was $1884 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 24.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — making the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ the 52.7% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Gold 6438Y+
MSRP	$4491	$2607-42%
Performance per Dollar	14.0	24.0+71%
Release Date	2019	2023

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