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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 7600X

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $4,700 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 233.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 94.7 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 350W, a 245W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Ryzen Threadripper 9980X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,300 vs 115,098).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 80 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 80 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅185.7% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.4 vs 94.7 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌233.3% higher power demand at 350W vs 105W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 7600X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 7600X

2022

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $4,700 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 233.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 94.7 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 350W, a 245W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Ryzen Threadripper 9980X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 80 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅185.7% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,300 vs 115,098).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 80 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.4 vs 94.7 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌233.3% higher power demand at 350W vs 105W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 7600X can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9980X better than Ryzen 5 7600X?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 9980X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 7600X is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 15.0% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests. It also has a big cache advantage at 256 MB vs 32 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the better fit. You are getting 652.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 32 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 7600X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is 1571.9% more expensive on MSRP at $4,999 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 15.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 7600X is also 233.3% better value on MSRP (94.7 vs 28.4 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 32 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 6/12. That extra cache should hold up really well in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Ryzen 5 7600X Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
1080p
low	266 FPS	303 FPS
medium	246 FPS	281 FPS
high	210 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	226 FPS	268 FPS
medium	189 FPS	224 FPS
high	154 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	157 FPS	186 FPS
medium	131 FPS	155 FPS
high	101 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	105 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
1080p
low	649 FPS	803 FPS
medium	524 FPS	687 FPS
high	436 FPS	538 FPS
ultra	386 FPS	468 FPS
1440p
low	544 FPS	662 FPS
medium	455 FPS	590 FPS
high	388 FPS	477 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	386 FPS
4K
low	341 FPS	370 FPS
medium	290 FPS	334 FPS
high	271 FPS	308 FPS
ultra	232 FPS	269 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
1080p
low	708 FPS	889 FPS
medium	652 FPS	728 FPS
high	571 FPS	654 FPS
ultra	484 FPS	556 FPS
1440p
low	708 FPS	693 FPS
medium	554 FPS	567 FPS
high	479 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	409 FPS	419 FPS
4K
low	463 FPS	490 FPS
medium	392 FPS	407 FPS
high	341 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	281 FPS	303 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
1080p
low	708 FPS	1131 FPS
medium	708 FPS	1014 FPS
high	708 FPS	889 FPS
ultra	708 FPS	802 FPS
1440p
low	708 FPS	890 FPS
medium	708 FPS	783 FPS
high	658 FPS	688 FPS
ultra	571 FPS	599 FPS
4K
low	560 FPS	649 FPS
medium	502 FPS	579 FPS
high	452 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	391 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 7600X Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Ryzen 5 7600X

The Ryzen 5 7600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 28,325 points. Launch price was $299.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 7600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 58 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen 5 7600X uses the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm, 6 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 7600X scores 28,325 against the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X's 142,069 — a 133.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,300 vs 115,098 (153.1% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,900 vs 3,220, a 10.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,800 vs 28,666 (70% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7600X vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	64 / 128+967%
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz	5.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock	4.7 GHz+47%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	256 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache	6 MB+500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	5 nm, 6 nm	4 nm-20%
Architecture	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	28,325	142,069+402%
Cinebench R23 Multi	15,300	115,098+652%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,900	3,220+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,800	28,666+108%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 7600X uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5200 memory speed. The Ryzen 5 7600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 196.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 7600X) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X). PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 5 7600X) vs 80 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X offers 52 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 5 7600X) and sTR5,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X).

Feature	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Socket	AM5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1 TB+700%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	28	80+186%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 7600X) vs AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X). The Ryzen 5 7600X includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 7600X targets Gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X targets HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 7600X rivals Intel Core i5-13600K; Ryzen Threadripper 9980X rivals Xeon w9-3495X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 7600X	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V, SVM
Target Use	Gaming	HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 7600X launched at $299 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X debuted at $4999. On MSRP ($299 vs $4999), the Ryzen 5 7600X is $4700 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 7600X delivers 94.7 pts/$ vs 28.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X — making the Ryzen 5 7600X the 107.7% better value option.