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 9980X

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $3,000 less on MSRP ($4,999 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,220 vs 3,644).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (115,098 vs 120,000).

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

✅+13.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($7,999 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

2025

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $3,000 less on MSRP ($4,999 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+13.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅60% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,220 vs 3,644).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (115,098 vs 120,000).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($7,999 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX better than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting 4.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 8.7% 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 9985WX is the better fit because it leads the single-thread side of the matchup with 13.2% 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 9985WX is the better fit. You are getting 4.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads.

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 9980X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is 60.0% more expensive on MSRP at $7,999 MSRP versus $4,999 MSRP, and it gives you 8.7% higher PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is also 47.3% better value on MSRP (28.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), 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 9985WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 64/128. 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 9980X Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	303 FPS	303 FPS
medium	281 FPS	281 FPS
high	231 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	268 FPS	268 FPS
medium	224 FPS	224 FPS
high	172 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	152 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	186 FPS	186 FPS
medium	155 FPS	155 FPS
high	117 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	105 FPS	105 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	803 FPS	803 FPS
medium	687 FPS	687 FPS
high	538 FPS	538 FPS
ultra	468 FPS	468 FPS
1440p
low	662 FPS	662 FPS
medium	590 FPS	590 FPS
high	477 FPS	477 FPS
ultra	386 FPS	386 FPS
4K
low	370 FPS	370 FPS
medium	334 FPS	334 FPS
high	308 FPS	308 FPS
ultra	269 FPS	269 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	889 FPS	889 FPS
medium	728 FPS	728 FPS
high	654 FPS	654 FPS
ultra	556 FPS	556 FPS
1440p
low	693 FPS	693 FPS
medium	567 FPS	567 FPS
high	498 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	419 FPS	419 FPS
4K
low	490 FPS	490 FPS
medium	407 FPS	407 FPS
high	365 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	303 FPS	303 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	1131 FPS	1131 FPS
medium	1014 FPS	1014 FPS
high	889 FPS	889 FPS
ultra	802 FPS	802 FPS
1440p
low	890 FPS	890 FPS
medium	783 FPS	783 FPS
high	688 FPS	688 FPS
ultra	599 FPS	599 FPS
4K
low	649 FPS	649 FPS
medium	579 FPS	579 FPS
high	514 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 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: 142,069 points. Launch price was $4,999.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 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: 154,361 points. Launch price was $7,999.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX share an identical 64-core/128-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). Both are built on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture using a 4 nm process. In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X scores 142,069 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX's 154,361 — a 8.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 115,098 vs 120,000 (4.2% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,220 vs 3,644, a 12.4% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 28,666 vs 37,967 (27.9% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Both processors carry 256 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Cores / Threads	64 / 128	64 / 128
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz	5.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)	256 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	142,069	154,361+9%
Cinebench R23 Multi	115,098	120,000+4%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,220	3,644+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	28,666	37,967+32%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the sTR5 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1 TB — 199.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). PCIe lanes: 80 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 48 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: sTR5,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Socket	sTR5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	1 TB	2048 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80	128+60%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X targets HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X rivals Xeon w9-3495X; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SVM	true
Target Use	HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation	High-end Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X launched at $4999 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX debuted at $7999. On MSRP ($4999 vs $7999), the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is $3000 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers 28.4 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X the 38.2% better value option.