Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Xeon 6960P

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Xeon 6960P Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

64 / 128

142,069

+8.7%

Ryzen 9 7900

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

Xeon 6960P

72 / 144

130,659

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 9980X vs Xeon 6960P 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 9980X vs Xeon 6960P: 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 9980X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $4,626 less on MSRP ($4,999 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Delivers 109.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Draws 350W instead of 500W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (28,666 vs 60,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 432 MB).

Xeon 6960P

2024

Why buy it

✅+109.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($9,625 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 500W vs 350W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9980X better than Xeon 6960P?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is ahead with a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6960P pulls ahead with 109.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon 6960P also has the bigger cache pool with 68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6960P is the stronger fit. You are getting 109.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 72 cores and 144 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the better buy right now. Ryzen Threadripper 9980X comes in $4,626 cheaper on MSRP at $4,999 MSRP versus $9,625 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon 6960P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 109.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 109.4% better value on MSRP (28.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024). That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Xeon 6960P Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 142,069 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 9980X packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon 6960P offers 72 cores / 144 threads — the Xeon 6960P has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon 6960P — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon 6960P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X scores 142,069 against the Xeon 6960P's 130,659 — a 8.4% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,220 vs 2,100, a 42.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 28,666 vs 60,000 (70.7% advantage for the Xeon 6960P). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs 432 MB (total) on the Xeon 6960P.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
Cores / Threads	64 / 128	72 / 144+13%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+38%	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	4 nm	Intel 3 nm-25%
Architecture	Shimada Peak (2025)	Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
PassMark	142,069+9%	130,659
Cinebench R23 Multi	115,098	—
Geekbench 6 Single	3,220+53%	2,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	28,666	60,000+109%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X 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 DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Xeon 6960P supports up to 3072 GB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs 12 (Xeon 6960P). PCIe lanes: 80 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs 96 (Xeon 6960P) — the Xeon 6960P offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: sTR5,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) and Intel 600 Series (Xeon 6960P).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
Socket	sTR5	LGA7529
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	1 TB	3072 GB+200%
RAM Channels	4	12+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80	96+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6960P). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X targets HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation, Xeon 6960P targets Server. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X rivals Xeon w9-3495X; Xeon 6960P rivals EPYC 9654.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SVM	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X was priced at $4999, while the Xeon 6960P came in at $9625. On launch pricing ($4999 vs $9625), Ryzen Threadripper 9980X was $4626 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers 28.4 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Xeon 6960P — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X the 70.7% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
MSRP	$4999-48%	$9625
Performance per Dollar	28.4+109%	13.6
Release Date	2025	2024

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