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

✅+21.9% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 105 MB).
✅Costs $4,390 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $5,889 MSRP).
✅Delivers 303.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 15.4 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $5,889 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w9-3495X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 72,560).

Xeon w9-3495X

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅27.3% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (105 MB vs 128 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.4 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($5,889 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

2025

Xeon w9-3495X

2023

Why buy it

✅+21.9% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 105 MB).
✅Costs $4,390 less on MSRP ($1,499 MSRP vs $5,889 MSRP).
✅Delivers 303.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.9 vs 15.4 PassMark/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $5,889 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅27.3% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 88) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w9-3495X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (41,000 vs 72,560).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (105 MB vs 128 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.4 vs 61.9 PassMark/$ ($5,889 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w9-3495X better than Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?

Yes. Xeon w9-3495X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 77% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon w9-3495X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon w9-3495X is the better fit. You are getting 77% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 56 cores and 112 threads.

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

Xeon w9-3495X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 9960X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon w9-3495X is 292.9% more expensive on MSRP at $5,889 MSRP versus $1,499 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is also 303.1% better value on MSRP (61.9 vs 15.4 PassMark/$), 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 9960X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and 21.9% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 105 MB). 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

Xeon w9-3495X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
1080p
low	314 FPS	316 FPS
medium	290 FPS	306 FPS
high	241 FPS	246 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	207 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	274 FPS
medium	231 FPS	237 FPS
high	179 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	157 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	186 FPS
medium	158 FPS	159 FPS
high	121 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	108 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Xeon w9-3495X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
1080p
low	826 FPS	384 FPS
medium	704 FPS	332 FPS
high	548 FPS	270 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	236 FPS
1440p
low	677 FPS	308 FPS
medium	601 FPS	273 FPS
high	482 FPS	232 FPS
ultra	390 FPS	190 FPS
4K
low	378 FPS	181 FPS
medium	341 FPS	162 FPS
high	311 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	272 FPS	133 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Xeon w9-3495X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
1080p
low	893 FPS	1025 FPS
medium	724 FPS	1086 FPS
high	650 FPS	1020 FPS
ultra	553 FPS	875 FPS
1440p
low	716 FPS	1009 FPS
medium	581 FPS	913 FPS
high	509 FPS	839 FPS
ultra	428 FPS	656 FPS
4K
low	509 FPS	605 FPS
medium	420 FPS	521 FPS
high	376 FPS	465 FPS
ultra	312 FPS	400 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Xeon w9-3495X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
1080p
low	1116 FPS	1141 FPS
medium	1002 FPS	1015 FPS
high	879 FPS	896 FPS
ultra	792 FPS	797 FPS
1440p
low	873 FPS	924 FPS
medium	769 FPS	809 FPS
high	675 FPS	712 FPS
ultra	588 FPS	625 FPS
4K
low	637 FPS	675 FPS
medium	568 FPS	602 FPS
high	505 FPS	540 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9960X Open Xeon w9-3495X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and Xeon w9-3495X

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.

Xeon w9-3495X

The Xeon w9-3495X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 105 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 90,441 points. Launch price was $5,889.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon w9-3495X offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the Xeon w9-3495X has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon w9-3495X — a 9.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X (base: 4.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon w9-3495X uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X scores 92,808 against the Xeon w9-3495X's 90,441 — a 2.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 41,000 vs 72,560 (55.6% advantage for the Xeon w9-3495X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,200 vs 2,136, a 39.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 26,000 vs 18,600 (33.2% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X). L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs 105 MB on the Xeon w9-3495X.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
Cores / Threads	24 / 48	56 / 112+133%
Boost Clock	5.3 GHz+10%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+121%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)+22%	105 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	4 nm-43%	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Shimada Peak (2025)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	92,808+3%	90,441
Cinebench R23 Multi	41,000	72,560+77%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,200+50%	2,136
Geekbench 6 Multi	26,000+40%	18,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the sTR5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w9-3495X uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Xeon w9-3495X supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) vs 8 (Xeon w9-3495X). PCIe lanes: 88 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) vs 112 (Xeon w9-3495X) — the Xeon w9-3495X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9960X) and W790 (Xeon w9-3495X).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
Socket	sTR5	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	1024 GB	4096 GB+300%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	88	112+27%

🔧

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, Xeon w9-3495X targets Ultimate Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9960X rivals Xeon w7-3555; Xeon w9-3495X rivals Threadripper PRO 7995WX.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9960X	Xeon w9-3495X
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	true	true
Target Use	Content Creation / Rendering	Ultimate Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9960X launched at $1499 MSRP, while the Xeon w9-3495X debuted at $5889. On MSRP ($1499 vs $5889), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is $4390 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X delivers 61.9 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Xeon w9-3495X — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X the 120.5% better value option.