Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

32 Cores64 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2020
Threadripper Pro family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6438Y+

32 Cores64 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2023
Similar parts
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Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+ Performance Spectrum

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 PRO 3975WX 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 PRO 3975WX 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 PRO 3975WX

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $1,270 less on MSRP ($1,337 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).
  • Delivers 93.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.6 vs 24.0 PassMark/$ ($1,337 MSRP vs $2,607 MSRP).
  • 60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (62,261 vs 62,660).
  • 36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.
  • Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6438Y+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6438Y+

2023

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.0 vs 46.6 PassMark/$ ($2,607 MSRP vs $1,337 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438Y+ better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is ahead with a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6438Y+ pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX 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 Gold 6438Y+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6438Y+ is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6438Y+ comes in 95.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,607 MSRP versus $1,337 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is also 93.7% better value on MSRP (46.6 vs 24.0 PassMark/$), 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 2020), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of sWRX8, more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 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 PRO 3975WX vs Xeon Gold 6438Y+ Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2020-07-14. It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 62,261 points. Launch price was $4,499.

Intel

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 PRO 3975WX and Xeon Gold 6438Y+ share an identical 32-core/64-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX 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 PRO 3975WX scores 62,261 against the Xeon Gold 6438Y+'s 62,660 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+. L3 cache: 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX vs 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438Y+.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3975WXXeon Gold 6438Y+
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
32 / 64
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+5%
4 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+75%
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
62,261
62,660
Cinebench R23 Multi
42,986
Geekbench 6 Single
1,260
Geekbench 6 Multi
25,211
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX uses the sWRX8 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 PRO 3975WX 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 2048 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6438Y+).

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3975WXXeon Gold 6438Y+
Socket
sWRX8
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
4800+50%
Max RAM Capacity
2048 GB
4096 GB+100%
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+60%
80
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX 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 PRO 3975WX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6438Y+). Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX rivals Xeon W-3375; Xeon Gold 6438Y+ rivals EPYC 9354.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3975WXXeon 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 PRO 3975WX was priced at $1337, while the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ came in at $2607. On launch pricing ($1337 vs $2607), Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX was $1270 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX delivers 46.6 pts/$ vs 24.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6438Y+ — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX the 63.8% better value option.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3975WXXeon Gold 6438Y+
MSRP
$1337-49%
$2607
Performance per Dollar
46.6+94%
24.0
Release Date
2020
2023

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