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 7 9800X3D

2024

Why buy it

✅+13.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $4,520 less on MSRP ($479 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 206.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 83.4 vs 27.2 PassMark/$ ($479 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 350W, a 230W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics, while Ryzen Threadripper 7980X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (23,277 vs 98,427).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 7980X, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

2023

Why buy it

✅+322.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅214.3% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,050 vs 3,450).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.2 vs 83.4 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $479 MSRP).
❌191.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 120W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 9800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D

2024

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

2023

Why buy it

✅+13.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $4,520 less on MSRP ($479 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 206.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 83.4 vs 27.2 PassMark/$ ($479 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 350W, a 230W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics, while Ryzen Threadripper 7980X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+322.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅214.3% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (23,277 vs 98,427).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 7980X, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,050 vs 3,450).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.2 vs 83.4 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $479 MSRP).
❌191.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 120W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 9800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 9800X3D better than Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper 7980X makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is the better fit. You are getting 322.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 9800X3D is $4,520 cheaper on MSRP at $479 MSRP versus $4,999 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 322.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 206.8% better value on MSRP (83.4 vs 27.2 PassMark/$), 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?

Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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 7 9800X3D Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
1080p
low	276 FPS	302 FPS
medium	257 FPS	279 FPS
high	219 FPS	230 FPS
ultra	192 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	260 FPS	268 FPS
medium	217 FPS	223 FPS
high	172 FPS	171 FPS
ultra	155 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	179 FPS	185 FPS
medium	149 FPS	154 FPS
high	112 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	104 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
1080p
low	880 FPS	787 FPS
medium	713 FPS	672 FPS
high	561 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	462 FPS
1440p
low	697 FPS	649 FPS
medium	591 FPS	577 FPS
high	483 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	383 FPS	380 FPS
4K
low	383 FPS	363 FPS
medium	328 FPS	327 FPS
high	305 FPS	302 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	265 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
1080p
low	944 FPS	889 FPS
medium	772 FPS	728 FPS
high	698 FPS	654 FPS
ultra	604 FPS	556 FPS
1440p
low	731 FPS	693 FPS
medium	598 FPS	567 FPS
high	529 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	452 FPS	419 FPS
4K
low	506 FPS	490 FPS
medium	419 FPS	407 FPS
high	377 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	316 FPS	303 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
1080p
low	999 FPS	1131 FPS
medium	999 FPS	1014 FPS
high	907 FPS	889 FPS
ultra	811 FPS	802 FPS
1440p
low	885 FPS	890 FPS
medium	778 FPS	783 FPS
high	685 FPS	688 FPS
ultra	592 FPS	599 FPS
4K
low	639 FPS	649 FPS
medium	568 FPS	579 FPS
high	507 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 November 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 39,966 points. Launch price was $479.

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 Ryzen 7 9800X3D packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X uses Storm Peak (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 39,966 against the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X's 135,949 — a 109.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,277 vs 98,427 (123.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,450 vs 3,050, a 12.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,500 vs 26,000 (33.7% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X). L3 cache: 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X.

Feature	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	64 / 128+700%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+2%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	4.7 GHz+47%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	96 MB (total)	256 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	4 nm-20%	5 nm
Architecture	Granite Ridge (2024−2025)	Storm Peak (2023)
PassMark	39,966	135,949+240%
Cinebench R23 Multi	23,277	98,427+323%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,450+13%	3,050
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,500	26,000+41%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 136.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X). PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) vs 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X) — the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X offers 60 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X670E,B650E,X870E,B850 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) and TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X).

Feature	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Socket	AM5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	1024 GB+433%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	28	88+214%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, AMD-Vi (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper 7980X). The Ryzen 7 9800X3D includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics), while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 9800X3D targets Extreme Gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 7980X targets High-end Desktop / Content Creation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 9800X3D rivals Core i9-14900K; Ryzen Threadripper 7980X rivals Xeon w7-3465X.

Feature	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, AMD-Vi	true
Target Use	Extreme Gaming	High-end Desktop / Content Creation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D launched at $479 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X debuted at $4999. On MSRP ($479 vs $4999), the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is $4520 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers 83.4 pts/$ vs 27.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X — making the Ryzen 7 9800X3D the 101.7% better value option.