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