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

✅Costs $1,400 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $2,899 MSRP).
✅Delivers 91.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 32.3 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $2,899 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,200 vs 3,349).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 60,336).

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

2025

Why buy it

✅+4.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.3 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($2,899 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,400 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $2,899 MSRP).
✅Delivers 91.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 32.3 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $2,899 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+4.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅45.5% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,200 vs 3,349).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 60,336).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.3 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($2,899 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX better than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting 47.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.9% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the better fit because it leads the single-thread side of the matchup with 4.7% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the better fit. You are getting 47.2% 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 PRO 9965WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 9960X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is 93.4% more expensive on MSRP at $2,899 MSRP versus $1,499 MSRP, and it gives you 0.9% higher PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is also 91.6% better value on MSRP (61.9 vs 32.3 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 9965WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 24/48. 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 Threadripper 9960X Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
1080p
low	314 FPS	314 FPS
medium	290 FPS	290 FPS
high	241 FPS	241 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	278 FPS
medium	231 FPS	231 FPS
high	179 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	158 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	191 FPS
medium	158 FPS	158 FPS
high	121 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	107 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
1080p
low	826 FPS	826 FPS
medium	704 FPS	704 FPS
high	548 FPS	548 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	474 FPS
1440p
low	677 FPS	677 FPS
medium	601 FPS	601 FPS
high	482 FPS	482 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	390 FPS
4K
low	378 FPS	378 FPS
medium	341 FPS	341 FPS
high	311 FPS	311 FPS
ultra	272 FPS	272 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
1080p
low	893 FPS	893 FPS
medium	724 FPS	724 FPS
high	650 FPS	650 FPS
ultra	553 FPS	553 FPS
1440p
low	716 FPS	716 FPS
medium	581 FPS	581 FPS
high	509 FPS	509 FPS
ultra	428 FPS	428 FPS
4K
low	509 FPS	509 FPS
medium	420 FPS	420 FPS
high	376 FPS	376 FPS
ultra	312 FPS	312 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
1080p
low	1116 FPS	1116 FPS
medium	1002 FPS	1002 FPS
high	879 FPS	879 FPS
ultra	792 FPS	792 FPS
1440p
low	873 FPS	873 FPS
medium	769 FPS	769 FPS
high	675 FPS	675 FPS
ultra	588 FPS	588 FPS
4K
low	637 FPS	637 FPS
medium	568 FPS	568 FPS
high	505 FPS	505 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

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 9965WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 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 5.4 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: 93,660 points. Launch price was $2,899.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX share an identical 24-core/48-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX (base: 4.2 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). Both are built on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture using a 4 nm process. In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X scores 92,808 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX's 93,660 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 41,000 vs 60,336 (38.2% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,200 vs 3,349, a 4.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 26,000 vs 30,722 (16.6% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX). Both processors carry 128 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	24 / 48
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz	5.4 GHz+2%
Base Clock	4.2 GHz	4.2 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)	128 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	4 nm	4 nm
Architecture	Shimada Peak (2025)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	92,808	93,660
Cinebench R23 Multi	41,000	60,336+47%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,200	3,349+5%
Geekbench 6 Multi	26,000	30,722+18%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the sTR5 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX 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 9965WX). PCIe lanes: 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
Socket	sTR5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	1024 GB	2048 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	88	128+45%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support true virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9960X targets Content Creation / Rendering, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9960X rivals Xeon w7-3555; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX rivals Xeon w9-3595X.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	true	true
Target Use	Content Creation / Rendering	High-end Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X launched at $1499 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX debuted at $2899. On MSRP ($1499 vs $2899), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $1400 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X delivers 61.9 pts/$ vs 32.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X the 62.8% better value option.