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 7 9800X3D

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $7,520 less on MSRP ($479 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 332.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 83.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($479 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 350W, a 230W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,450 vs 3,644).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (23,277 vs 120,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

✅+5.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 83.4 PassMark/$ ($7,999 MSRP vs $479 MSRP).
❌191.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 120W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 9800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D

2024

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $7,520 less on MSRP ($479 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 332.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 83.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($479 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 350W, a 230W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+5.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 28.
✅357.1% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (3,450 vs 3,644).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (23,277 vs 120,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (96 MB vs 256 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 83.4 PassMark/$ ($7,999 MSRP vs $479 MSRP).
❌191.7% higher power demand at 350W vs 120W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 9800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX better than Ryzen 7 9800X3D?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% more average FPS across 45 shared CPU game tests.

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 415.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 9800X3D makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is 1569.9% more expensive on MSRP at $7,999 MSRP versus $479 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 45 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 9800X3D is also 332.4% better value on MSRP (83.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), 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 a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 96 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 8/16. 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 7 9800X3D Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	276 FPS	303 FPS
medium	257 FPS	281 FPS
high	219 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	192 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	260 FPS	268 FPS
medium	217 FPS	224 FPS
high	172 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	155 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	179 FPS	186 FPS
medium	149 FPS	155 FPS
high	112 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	105 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	880 FPS	803 FPS
medium	713 FPS	687 FPS
high	561 FPS	538 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	468 FPS
1440p
low	697 FPS	662 FPS
medium	591 FPS	590 FPS
high	483 FPS	477 FPS
ultra	383 FPS	386 FPS
4K
low	383 FPS	370 FPS
medium	328 FPS	334 FPS
high	305 FPS	308 FPS
ultra	263 FPS	269 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	944 FPS	889 FPS
medium	772 FPS	728 FPS
high	698 FPS	654 FPS
ultra	604 FPS	556 FPS
1440p
low	731 FPS	693 FPS
medium	598 FPS	567 FPS
high	529 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	452 FPS	419 FPS
4K
low	506 FPS	490 FPS
medium	419 FPS	407 FPS
high	377 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	316 FPS	303 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low	999 FPS	1131 FPS
medium	999 FPS	1014 FPS
high	907 FPS	889 FPS
ultra	811 FPS	802 FPS
1440p
low	885 FPS	890 FPS
medium	778 FPS	783 FPS
high	685 FPS	688 FPS
ultra	592 FPS	599 FPS
4K
low	639 FPS	649 FPS
medium	568 FPS	579 FPS
high	507 FPS	514 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 9800X3D Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 November 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 39,966 points. Launch price was $479.

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

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 39,966 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX's 154,361 — a 117.7% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 23,277 vs 120,000 (135% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,450 vs 3,644, a 5.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,500 vs 37,967 (69% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). L3 cache: 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX.

Feature	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	64 / 128+700%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz	5.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock	4.7 GHz+47%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	96 MB (total)	256 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	4 nm	4 nm
Architecture	Granite Ridge (2024−2025)	Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark	39,966	154,361+286%
Cinebench R23 Multi	23,277	120,000+416%
Geekbench 6 Single	3,450	3,644+6%
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,500	37,967+105%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 165.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 100 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X670E,B650E,X870E,B850 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX).

Feature	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Socket	AM5	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600	DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	2048 GB+967%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	28	128+357%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: AMD-V, AMD-Vi (Ryzen 7 9800X3D) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). The Ryzen 7 9800X3D includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 9800X3D targets Extreme Gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 9800X3D rivals Core i9-14900K; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.

Feature	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, AMD-Vi	true
Target Use	Extreme Gaming	High-end Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D launched at $479 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX debuted at $7999. On MSRP ($479 vs $7999), the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is $7520 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers 83.4 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — making the Ryzen 7 9800X3D the 124.9% better value option.