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 Threadripper 9960X

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $5,000 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $6,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 324.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 14.6 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $6,499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 66,403).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).
❌25% higher power demand at 350W vs 280W.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

2022

Why buy it

✅+62% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Draws 280W instead of 350W, a 70W reduction.
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.6 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($6,499 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper 9960X moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.5% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $5,000 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $6,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 324.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 14.6 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $6,499 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅+62% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅Draws 280W instead of 350W, a 70W reduction.
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 66,403).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).
❌25% higher power demand at 350W vs 280W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.6 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($6,499 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper 9960X moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9960X better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is ahead with a 9.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX pulls ahead with 62% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX is the better fit. You are getting 62% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $5,000 cheaper on MSRP at $1,499 MSRP versus $6,499 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 62% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 324.7% better value on MSRP (61.9 vs 14.6 PassMark/$), 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 Threadripper 9960X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), a healthier platform with sTR5 and DDR5 instead of sWRX8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. 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 Threadripper 9960X Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
1080p
low	314 FPS	205 FPS
medium	290 FPS	169 FPS
high	241 FPS	136 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	109 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	166 FPS
medium	231 FPS	131 FPS
high	179 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	90 FPS
medium	158 FPS	77 FPS
high	121 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	49 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
1080p
low	826 FPS	760 FPS
medium	704 FPS	648 FPS
high	548 FPS	510 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	442 FPS
1440p
low	677 FPS	619 FPS
medium	601 FPS	540 FPS
high	482 FPS	444 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	361 FPS
4K
low	378 FPS	362 FPS
medium	341 FPS	318 FPS
high	311 FPS	286 FPS
ultra	272 FPS	253 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
1080p
low	893 FPS	920 FPS
medium	724 FPS	775 FPS
high	650 FPS	712 FPS
ultra	553 FPS	631 FPS
1440p
low	716 FPS	666 FPS
medium	581 FPS	560 FPS
high	509 FPS	509 FPS
ultra	428 FPS	446 FPS
4K
low	509 FPS	475 FPS
medium	420 FPS	382 FPS
high	376 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	312 FPS	279 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
1080p
low	1116 FPS	1160 FPS
medium	1002 FPS	1015 FPS
high	879 FPS	894 FPS
ultra	792 FPS	790 FPS
1440p
low	873 FPS	933 FPS
medium	769 FPS	809 FPS
high	675 FPS	709 FPS
ultra	588 FPS	613 FPS
4K
low	637 FPS	661 FPS
medium	568 FPS	588 FPS
high	505 FPS	522 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 128 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: 92,808 points. Launch price was $1,499.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2022-03-08. It is based on the Chagall PRO (2022) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 94,737 points. Launch price was $6,499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX has 40 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX — a 16.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X (base: 4.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX uses Chagall PRO (2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X scores 92,808 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX's 94,737 — a 2.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 41,000 vs 66,403 (47.3% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,200 vs 1,500, a 72.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 26,000 vs 20,000 (26.1% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs 256 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	64 / 128+167%
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+18%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+56%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)	256 MB+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512K (per core)
Process	4 nm-43%	7 nm
Architecture	Shimada Peak (2025)	Chagall PRO (2022)
PassMark	92,808	94,737+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	41,000	66,403+62%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,200+113%	1,500
Geekbench 6 Multi	26,000+30%	20,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the sTR5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX uses sWRX8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX — the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX). PCIe lanes: 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) and WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
Socket	sTR5	sWRX8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	1024 GB	2048 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	88	128+45%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support true virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9960X targets Content Creation / Rendering, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9960X rivals Xeon w7-3555; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX rivals Xeon w9-3495X.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	true	true
Target Use	Content Creation / Rendering	Professional Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X launched at $1499 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX debuted at $6499. On MSRP ($1499 vs $6499), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $5000 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X delivers 61.9 pts/$ vs 14.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X the 123.8% better value option.