Ryzen Threadripper 7980X vs Xeon 6960P
Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Xeon 6960P
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Performance Per Dollar Xeon 6960P
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5,200) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9,625) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Storm Peak (2023) / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Granite Rapids (2024−2025) / Intel 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+93%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5,200) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($9,625) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 7980X and Xeon 6960P
Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 October 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Storm Peak (2023) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 135,949 points. Launch price was $4,999.
Xeon 6960P
The Xeon 6960P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2024-09-24. It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024−2025) architecture. It features 72 cores and 144 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 432 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA7529. Thermal design power (TDP): 500 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s), MRDIMM(8800MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 130,659 points. Launch price was $9,625.
Processing Power
The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon 6960P offers 72 cores / 144 threads — the Xeon 6960P has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon 6960P — a 26.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X uses the Storm Peak (2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon 6960P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X scores 135,949 against the Xeon 6960P's 130,659 — a 4% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,050 vs 2,100, a 36.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 26,000 vs 60,000 (79.1% advantage for the Xeon 6960P). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X vs 432 MB (total) on the Xeon 6960P.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 64 / 128 | 72 / 144+13% |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+31% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+19% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 256 MB (total) | 432 MB (total)+69% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 5 nm | Intel 3 nm-40% |
| Architecture | Storm Peak (2023) | Granite Rapids (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 135,949+4% | 130,659 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 98,427 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 3,050+45% | 2,100 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 26,000 | 60,000+131% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X uses the sTR5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon 6960P uses LGA7529 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5200 memory speed. The Xeon 6960P supports up to 3072 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X) vs 12 (Xeon 6960P). PCIe lanes: 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X) vs 96 (Xeon 6960P) — the Xeon 6960P offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X) and Intel 600 Series (Xeon 6960P).
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | sTR5 | LGA7529 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5200 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1024 GB | 3072 GB+200% |
| RAM Channels | 4 | 12+200% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 88 | 96+9% |
Advanced Features
Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6960P). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 7980X targets High-end Desktop / Content Creation, Xeon 6960P targets Server. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 7980X rivals Xeon w7-3465X; Xeon 6960P rivals EPYC 9654.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | High-end Desktop / Content Creation | Server |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X launched at $4999 MSRP, while the Xeon 6960P debuted at $9625. At current prices ($5200 vs $9625), the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is $4425 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X delivers 26.1 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Xeon 6960P — making the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X the 63.3% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 7980X | Xeon 6960P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $4999-48% | $9625 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5200-46% | $9625 |
| Performance per Dollar | 26.1+92% | 13.6 |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2024 |
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