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 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $800 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 157.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.3 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 250W, a 185W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,700 vs 29,045).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($1,299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌284.6% higher power demand at 250W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $800 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 157.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.3 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 250W, a 185W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across 2 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,700 vs 29,045).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($1,299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌284.6% higher power demand at 250W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX better than Ryzen 9 3900?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 3900 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 2970WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.8% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better fit. You are getting 64.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 3900 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is 160.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,299 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 3900 is also 157.2% better value on MSRP (61.3 vs 23.8 PassMark/$), 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 9 3900 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 9 3900 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	159 FPS	198 FPS
medium	130 FPS	177 FPS
high	111 FPS	143 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	115 FPS
1440p
low	144 FPS	160 FPS
medium	115 FPS	134 FPS
high	94 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	85 FPS
4K
low	78 FPS	73 FPS
medium	67 FPS	64 FPS
high	53 FPS	50 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	41 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 3900 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	534 FPS	536 FPS
medium	470 FPS	483 FPS
high	384 FPS	404 FPS
ultra	342 FPS	354 FPS
1440p
low	460 FPS	473 FPS
medium	411 FPS	424 FPS
high	347 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	289 FPS	299 FPS
4K
low	288 FPS	295 FPS
medium	261 FPS	265 FPS
high	238 FPS	242 FPS
ultra	213 FPS	213 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 3900 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	709 FPS	768 FPS
medium	589 FPS	640 FPS
high	536 FPS	577 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	504 FPS
1440p
low	541 FPS	640 FPS
medium	448 FPS	533 FPS
high	401 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	347 FPS	408 FPS
4K
low	394 FPS	469 FPS
medium	315 FPS	377 FPS
high	279 FPS	336 FPS
ultra	224 FPS	280 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 3900 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
1080p
low	765 FPS	774 FPS
medium	765 FPS	774 FPS
high	711 FPS	704 FPS
ultra	638 FPS	616 FPS
1440p
low	725 FPS	730 FPS
medium	644 FPS	644 FPS
high	553 FPS	549 FPS
ultra	486 FPS	474 FPS
4K
low	516 FPS	523 FPS
medium	469 FPS	473 FPS
high	411 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	362 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 3900 Open Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 3900 and Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

Ryzen 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,954 points. Launch price was $1,299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 3900 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 9 3900 uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 3900 scores 30,588 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX's 30,954 — a 1.2% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,700 vs 29,045 (48.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,713 vs 1,240, a 32% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 10,983 vs 7,241 (41.1% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900). Both processors carry 64 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	24 / 48+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+2%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB	64 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-42%	12 nm
Architecture	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	30,588	30,954+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	17,700	29,045+64%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,713+38%	1,240
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,983+52%	7,241

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 3900 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 9 3900) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900) and X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX).

Feature	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Socket	AM4	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	64+167%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power), Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900; Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X.

Feature	Ryzen 9 3900	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation Desktop (low power)	Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 9 3900 launched at $499 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX debuted at $1299. On MSRP ($499 vs $1299), the Ryzen 9 3900 is $800 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 3900 delivers 61.3 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — making the Ryzen 9 3900 the 88% better value option.