Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Platinum 8380

CPU

GPU

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

32 Cores64 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2019

Threadripper family

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Xeon Platinum 8380

40 Cores80 Thrd270 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2021

Similar parts

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Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Platinum 8380 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

32 / 64

62,946

+1.0%

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 Platinum 8380

40 / 80

62,318

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 Platinum 8380 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 Platinum 8380: 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: +49.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (13,739 vs 40,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 31.0 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $2,010 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Platinum 8380

2021

Why buy it

✅+191.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $2,481 less on MSRP ($2,010 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Delivers 121.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($2,010 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).
✅Draws 270W instead of 280W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8380 better than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is ahead with a 49.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8380 pulls ahead with 191.1% better Geekbench multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 3970X also has the bigger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 60 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8380 is the stronger fit. You are getting 191.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 40 cores and 80 threads.

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

Xeon Platinum 8380 is the better buy right now. Xeon Platinum 8380 comes in $2,481 cheaper on MSRP at $2,010 MSRP versus $4,491 MSRP, and it still gives you 191.1% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 49.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 121.2% better value on MSRP (31.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 Platinum 8380 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), more multi-core headroom with 40 cores / 80 threads instead of 32/64, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon Platinum 8380 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 Platinum 8380

The Xeon Platinum 8380 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2021-04-06. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 40 cores and 80 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 62,318 points. Launch price was $5,846.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8380 offers 40 cores / 80 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8380 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8380 — a 27.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8380 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X scores 62,946 against the Xeon Platinum 8380's 62,318 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,664 vs 1,300, a 24.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,739 vs 40,000 (97.7% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8380). L3 cache: 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs 60 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8380.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Platinum 8380
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	40 / 80+25%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+32%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+61%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB+113%	60 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Ice Lake-SP (2021)
PassMark	62,946+1%	62,318
Cinebench R23 Multi	44,510	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,664+28%	1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,739	40,000+191%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8380 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Xeon Platinum 8380 supports up to 6144 GB of RAM compared to 256 GB — 2300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs 8 (Xeon Platinum 8380). Both provide 64 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) and C621A (Xeon Platinum 8380).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Platinum 8380
Socket	TR4	LGA4189
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	6144 GB+2300%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	64

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Platinum 8380 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen Threadripper 3970X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8380). Primary use case: Xeon Platinum 8380 targets Datacenter. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 3970X rivals Core i9-10980XE; Xeon Platinum 8380 rivals EPYC 7543.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Platinum 8380
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Datacenter

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X was priced at $4491, while the Xeon Platinum 8380 came in at $2010. On launch pricing ($4491 vs $2010), Xeon Platinum 8380 was $2481 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 3970X delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 31.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8380 — making the Xeon Platinum 8380 the 75.5% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 3970X	Xeon Platinum 8380
MSRP	$4491	$2010-55%
Performance per Dollar	14.0	31.0+121%
Release Date	2019	2021

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