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.

Core i5-1135G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 280W, a 265W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Ryzen Threadripper 3960X needs a discrete GPU.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3960X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (5,183 vs 34,260).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +241.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅450% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,399 MSRP, while Core i5-1135G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1766.7% higher power demand at 280W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1135G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-1135G7

2020

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 280W, a 265W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Ryzen Threadripper 3960X needs a discrete GPU.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +241.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅450% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 3960X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (5,183 vs 34,260).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,399 MSRP, while Core i5-1135G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1766.7% higher power demand at 280W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1135G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 3960X better than Core i5-1135G7?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 3960X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-1135G7 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 3960X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 241.7% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests. It also has a big cache advantage at 128 MB vs 8 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is the better fit. You are getting 561% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 1500% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is at an unclear MSRP at $1,399 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 241.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-1135G7 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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.

Core i5-1135G7 Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-1135G7	Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
1080p
low	168 FPS	270 FPS
medium	137 FPS	222 FPS
high	107 FPS	183 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	131 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	211 FPS
medium	118 FPS	164 FPS
high	91 FPS	130 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	96 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	98 FPS
medium	59 FPS	81 FPS
high	46 FPS	63 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	51 FPS

Open Core i5-1135G7 Open Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-1135G7	Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
1080p
low	153 FPS	835 FPS
medium	129 FPS	706 FPS
high	118 FPS	547 FPS
ultra	102 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	135 FPS	677 FPS
medium	115 FPS	587 FPS
high	107 FPS	476 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	387 FPS
4K
low	106 FPS	396 FPS
medium	93 FPS	345 FPS
high	80 FPS	307 FPS
ultra	67 FPS	271 FPS

Open Core i5-1135G7 Open Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-1135G7	Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
1080p
low	235 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	235 FPS	927 FPS
high	235 FPS	862 FPS
ultra	235 FPS	765 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	777 FPS
medium	235 FPS	645 FPS
high	235 FPS	581 FPS
ultra	235 FPS	506 FPS
4K
low	235 FPS	540 FPS
medium	235 FPS	428 FPS
high	235 FPS	381 FPS
ultra	235 FPS	306 FPS

Open Core i5-1135G7 Open Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-1135G7	Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
1080p
low	235 FPS	1325 FPS
medium	235 FPS	1015 FPS
high	235 FPS	1074 FPS
ultra	235 FPS	875 FPS
1440p
low	235 FPS	1032 FPS
medium	235 FPS	900 FPS
high	235 FPS	778 FPS
ultra	235 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	235 FPS	744 FPS
medium	235 FPS	662 FPS
high	235 FPS	579 FPS
ultra	235 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core i5-1135G7 Open Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-1135G7 and Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Core i5-1135G7

The Core i5-1135G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,414 points. Launch price was $309.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 November 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 54,763 points. Launch price was $1,399.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-1135G7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-1135G7 versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-1135G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1135G7 scores 9,414 against the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X's 54,763 — a 141.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 5,183 vs 34,260 (147.4% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,592 vs 1,270, a 22.5% lead for the Core i5-1135G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-1135G7 vs 128 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X.

Feature	Core i5-1135G7	Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	24 / 48+500%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.5 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+153%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	128 MB+1500%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+150%	512K (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	9,414	54,763+482%
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,183	34,260+561%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,592+25%	1,270
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,495	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1135G7 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-1135G7) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 3960X). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-1135G7) vs 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 3960X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X offers 72 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i5-1135G7) and AMD TRX40 (Ryzen Threadripper 3960X).

Feature	Core i5-1135G7	Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
Socket	FCBGA1449	TR4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	256 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	88+450%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-1135G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1135G7) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper 3960X). The Core i5-1135G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)), while the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1135G7 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-1135G7 rivals Ryzen 5 5500U; Ryzen Threadripper 3960X rivals Core i9-10900X.