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 9970X

2025

Why buy it

✅+23.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $4,850 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $7,349 MSRP).
✅Delivers 139.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 18.1 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $7,349 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (76,136 vs 100,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

2023

Why buy it

✅+31.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅39.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,599 vs 3,220).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.1 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($7,349 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

2023

Why buy it

✅+23.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $4,850 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $7,349 MSRP).
✅Delivers 139.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 18.1 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $7,349 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+31.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 128 MB).
✅39.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (76,136 vs 100,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,599 vs 3,220).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.1 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($7,349 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9970X better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is ahead with 23.9% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX pulls ahead with 31.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX 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 7985WX is the better fit. You are getting 31.3% 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 9970X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $4,850 cheaper on MSRP at $2,499 MSRP versus $7,349 MSRP, and it gives you 23.9% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. The trade-off is that Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 31.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 139.4% better value on MSRP (43.4 vs 18.1 PassMark/$), 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 9970X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 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 Threadripper 9970X Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
1080p
low	314 FPS	302 FPS
medium	289 FPS	279 FPS
high	240 FPS	230 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	268 FPS
medium	231 FPS	223 FPS
high	178 FPS	171 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	185 FPS
medium	158 FPS	154 FPS
high	121 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	104 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
1080p
low	818 FPS	787 FPS
medium	697 FPS	672 FPS
high	542 FPS	529 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	462 FPS
1440p
low	674 FPS	649 FPS
medium	599 FPS	577 FPS
high	480 FPS	469 FPS
ultra	388 FPS	380 FPS
4K
low	377 FPS	363 FPS
medium	339 FPS	327 FPS
high	310 FPS	302 FPS
ultra	271 FPS	265 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
1080p
low	891 FPS	889 FPS
medium	723 FPS	728 FPS
high	649 FPS	654 FPS
ultra	552 FPS	556 FPS
1440p
low	714 FPS	693 FPS
medium	580 FPS	567 FPS
high	508 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	427 FPS	419 FPS
4K
low	508 FPS	490 FPS
medium	419 FPS	407 FPS
high	375 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	311 FPS	303 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
1080p
low	1116 FPS	1131 FPS
medium	1002 FPS	1014 FPS
high	879 FPS	889 FPS
ultra	792 FPS	802 FPS
1440p
low	872 FPS	890 FPS
medium	768 FPS	783 FPS
high	674 FPS	688 FPS
ultra	587 FPS	599 FPS
4K
low	636 FPS	649 FPS
medium	568 FPS	579 FPS
high	504 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9970X and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X 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 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 4 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: 108,377 points. Launch price was $2,499.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX 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: 133,149 points. Launch price was $7,349.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X (base: 4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX uses Storm Peak (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X scores 108,377 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX's 133,149 — a 20.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 76,136 vs 100,000 (27.1% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,220 vs 2,599, a 21.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 29,244 vs 24,780 (16.5% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X). L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	64 / 128+100%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+6%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+25%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)	256 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	4 nm-20%	5 nm
Architecture	Shimada Peak (2025)	Storm Peak (2023)
PassMark	108,377	133,149+23%
Cinebench R23 Multi	76,136	100,000+31%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,220+24%	2,599
Geekbench 6 Multi	29,244+18%	24,780

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the sTR5 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 199.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX). PCIe lanes: 92 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX offers 36 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
Socket	sTR5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	1 TB	2048 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	92	128+39%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X targets HEDT / Workstation, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X rivals Xeon w7-3465X; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SVM	true
Target Use	HEDT / Workstation	High-end Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X launched at $2499 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX debuted at $7349. On MSRP ($2499 vs $7349), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $4850 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X delivers 43.4 pts/$ vs 18.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X the 82.1% better value option.