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

✅Better for gaming: +25.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $7,126 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Delivers 219.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Draws 350W instead of 500W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (29,244 vs 60,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 432 MB).

Xeon 6960P

2024

Why buy it

✅+105.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+237.5% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 128 MB).
✅4.3% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($9,625 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 500W vs 350W.

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

2025

Xeon 6960P

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $7,126 less on MSRP ($2,499 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Delivers 219.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Draws 350W instead of 500W, a 150W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+105.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+237.5% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 128 MB).
✅4.3% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 92) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (29,244 vs 60,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 432 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 43.4 PassMark/$ ($9,625 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 500W vs 350W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9970X better than Xeon 6960P?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is ahead with a 25.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6960P pulls ahead with 105.2% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon 6960P also has the bigger cache pool with 237.5% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 128 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6960P is the better fit. You are getting 105.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 72 cores and 144 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 237.5% larger total L3 cache (432 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 $7,126 cheaper on MSRP at $2,499 MSRP versus $9,625 MSRP, and it gives you a 25.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Xeon 6960P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 105.2% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 219.5% better value on MSRP (43.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$), 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 9970X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024). 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 9970X Benchmark Check

Xeon 6960P Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	314 FPS	196 FPS
medium	289 FPS	159 FPS
high	240 FPS	128 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	278 FPS	159 FPS
medium	231 FPS	125 FPS
high	178 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	158 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	191 FPS	73 FPS
medium	158 FPS	60 FPS
high	121 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	107 FPS	39 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Xeon 6960P

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	818 FPS	524 FPS
medium	697 FPS	450 FPS
high	542 FPS	358 FPS
ultra	472 FPS	293 FPS
1440p
low	674 FPS	430 FPS
medium	599 FPS	380 FPS
high	480 FPS	311 FPS
ultra	388 FPS	247 FPS
4K
low	377 FPS	266 FPS
medium	339 FPS	239 FPS
high	310 FPS	209 FPS
ultra	271 FPS	174 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Xeon 6960P

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	891 FPS	985 FPS
medium	723 FPS	874 FPS
high	649 FPS	826 FPS
ultra	552 FPS	734 FPS
1440p
low	714 FPS	788 FPS
medium	580 FPS	689 FPS
high	508 FPS	651 FPS
ultra	427 FPS	579 FPS
4K
low	508 FPS	505 FPS
medium	419 FPS	397 FPS
high	375 FPS	353 FPS
ultra	311 FPS	288 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Xeon 6960P

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	1116 FPS	985 FPS
medium	1002 FPS	891 FPS
high	879 FPS	768 FPS
ultra	792 FPS	658 FPS
1440p
low	872 FPS	764 FPS
medium	768 FPS	667 FPS
high	674 FPS	571 FPS
ultra	587 FPS	486 FPS
4K
low	636 FPS	549 FPS
medium	568 FPS	489 FPS
high	504 FPS	430 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	369 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9970X Open Xeon 6960P

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9970X and Xeon 6960P

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.

Xeon 6960P

The Xeon 6960P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2024-09-24. It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024−2025) architecture. It features 72 cores and 144 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 432 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA7529. Thermal design power (TDP): 500 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s), MRDIMM(8800MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 130,659 points. Launch price was $9,625.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon 6960P offers 72 cores / 144 threads — the Xeon 6960P has 40 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon 6960P — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X (base: 4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon 6960P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X scores 108,377 against the Xeon 6960P's 130,659 — a 18.6% lead for the Xeon 6960P. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,220 vs 2,100, a 42.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 29,244 vs 60,000 (68.9% advantage for the Xeon 6960P). L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs 432 MB (total) on the Xeon 6960P.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
Cores / Threads	32 / 64	72 / 144+125%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+38%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+48%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	128 MB (total)	432 MB (total)+238%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	4 nm	Intel 3 nm-25%
Architecture	Shimada Peak (2025)	Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
PassMark	108,377	130,659+21%
Cinebench R23 Multi	76,136	—
Geekbench 6 Single	3,220+53%	2,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	29,244	60,000+105%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses the sTR5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon 6960P uses LGA7529 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Xeon 6960P supports up to 3072 GB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 199.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs 12 (Xeon 6960P). PCIe lanes: 92 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs 96 (Xeon 6960P) — the Xeon 6960P offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) and Intel 600 Series (Xeon 6960P).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
Socket	sTR5	LGA7529
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	1 TB	3072 GB+200%
RAM Channels	4	12+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	92	96+4%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9970X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6960P). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X targets HEDT / Workstation, Xeon 6960P targets Server. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9970X rivals Xeon w7-3465X; Xeon 6960P rivals EPYC 9654.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9970X	Xeon 6960P
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SVM	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	HEDT / Workstation	Server

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9970X launched at $2499 MSRP, while the Xeon 6960P debuted at $9625. On MSRP ($2499 vs $9625), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is $7126 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X delivers 43.4 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Xeon 6960P — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X the 104.6% better value option.