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

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $4,626 less on MSRP ($4,999 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Delivers 109.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Draws 350W instead of 500W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (28,666 vs 60,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 432 MB).

Xeon 6960P

2024

Why buy it

✅+109.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($9,625 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 500W vs 350W.

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

2025

Xeon 6960P

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $4,626 less on MSRP ($4,999 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Delivers 109.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($4,999 MSRP vs $9,625 MSRP).
✅Draws 350W instead of 500W, a 150W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+109.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (96 vs 80) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (28,666 vs 60,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (256 MB vs 432 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 9980X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($9,625 MSRP vs $4,999 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 500W vs 350W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 9980X better than Xeon 6960P?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is ahead with a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6960P pulls ahead with 109.3% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon 6960P also has the bigger cache pool with 68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 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 109.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 72 cores and 144 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 68.8% larger total L3 cache (432 MB vs 256 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is $4,626 cheaper on MSRP at $4,999 MSRP versus $9,625 MSRP, and it gives you a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Xeon 6960P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 109.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 109.4% better value on MSRP (28.4 vs 13.6 PassMark/$), 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 9980X 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 9980X Benchmark Check

Xeon 6960P Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	303 FPS	196 FPS
medium	281 FPS	159 FPS
high	231 FPS	128 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	268 FPS	159 FPS
medium	224 FPS	125 FPS
high	172 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	152 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	186 FPS	73 FPS
medium	155 FPS	60 FPS
high	117 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	105 FPS	39 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Xeon 6960P

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	803 FPS	524 FPS
medium	687 FPS	450 FPS
high	538 FPS	358 FPS
ultra	468 FPS	293 FPS
1440p
low	662 FPS	430 FPS
medium	590 FPS	380 FPS
high	477 FPS	311 FPS
ultra	386 FPS	247 FPS
4K
low	370 FPS	266 FPS
medium	334 FPS	239 FPS
high	308 FPS	209 FPS
ultra	269 FPS	174 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Xeon 6960P

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	889 FPS	985 FPS
medium	728 FPS	874 FPS
high	654 FPS	826 FPS
ultra	556 FPS	734 FPS
1440p
low	693 FPS	788 FPS
medium	567 FPS	689 FPS
high	498 FPS	651 FPS
ultra	419 FPS	579 FPS
4K
low	490 FPS	505 FPS
medium	407 FPS	397 FPS
high	365 FPS	353 FPS
ultra	303 FPS	288 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Xeon 6960P

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
1080p
low	1131 FPS	985 FPS
medium	1014 FPS	891 FPS
high	889 FPS	768 FPS
ultra	802 FPS	658 FPS
1440p
low	890 FPS	764 FPS
medium	783 FPS	667 FPS
high	688 FPS	571 FPS
ultra	599 FPS	486 FPS
4K
low	649 FPS	549 FPS
medium	579 FPS	489 FPS
high	514 FPS	430 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	369 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Open Xeon 6960P

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and Xeon 6960P

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.

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 9980X packs 64 cores / 128 threads, while the Xeon 6960P offers 72 cores / 144 threads — the Xeon 6960P has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon 6960P — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X 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 9980X scores 142,069 against the Xeon 6960P's 130,659 — a 8.4% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,220 vs 2,100, a 42.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 28,666 vs 60,000 (70.7% advantage for the Xeon 6960P). L3 cache: 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs 432 MB (total) on the Xeon 6960P.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	Xeon 6960P
Cores / Threads	64 / 128	72 / 144+13%
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+38%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	256 MB (total)	432 MB (total)+69%
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	142,069+9%	130,659
Cinebench R23 Multi	115,098	—
Geekbench 6 Single	3,220+53%	2,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	28,666	60,000+109%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X 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 9980X) vs 12 (Xeon 6960P). PCIe lanes: 80 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) vs 96 (Xeon 6960P) — the Xeon 6960P offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: sTR5,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper 9980X) and Intel 600 Series (Xeon 6960P).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	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	80	96+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X 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 9980X) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6960P). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X targets HEDT / Enthusiast Workstation, Xeon 6960P targets Server. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X rivals Xeon w9-3495X; Xeon 6960P rivals EPYC 9654.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 9980X	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 / Enthusiast Workstation	Server

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X launched at $4999 MSRP, while the Xeon 6960P debuted at $9625. On MSRP ($4999 vs $9625), the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is $4626 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers 28.4 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Xeon 6960P — making the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X the 70.7% better value option.