Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

64 Cores128 Thrd350 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

64 Cores128 Thrd350 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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 PRO 7985WX

2023

Why buy it

  • Costs $650 less on MSRP ($7,349 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,599 vs 3,644).
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (100,000 vs 120,000).

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

  • +40.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

  • 8.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $7,999 MSRPvs$7,349 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX?
Yes. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 20% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 15.9% 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 pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 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 20% 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 the smarter buy today. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is 8.8% more expensive on MSRP at $7,999 MSRP versus $7,349 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.5% better value on MSRP (19.3 vs 18.1 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 9985WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 64/128. 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low302 FPS303 FPS
medium279 FPS281 FPS
high230 FPS231 FPS
ultra195 FPS195 FPS
1440p
low268 FPS268 FPS
medium223 FPS224 FPS
high171 FPS172 FPS
ultra152 FPS152 FPS
4K
low185 FPS186 FPS
medium154 FPS155 FPS
high117 FPS117 FPS
ultra104 FPS105 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low787 FPS803 FPS
medium672 FPS687 FPS
high529 FPS538 FPS
ultra462 FPS468 FPS
1440p
low649 FPS662 FPS
medium577 FPS590 FPS
high469 FPS477 FPS
ultra380 FPS386 FPS
4K
low363 FPS370 FPS
medium327 FPS334 FPS
high302 FPS308 FPS
ultra265 FPS269 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low889 FPS889 FPS
medium728 FPS728 FPS
high654 FPS654 FPS
ultra556 FPS556 FPS
1440p
low693 FPS693 FPS
medium567 FPS567 FPS
high498 FPS498 FPS
ultra419 FPS419 FPS
4K
low490 FPS490 FPS
medium407 FPS407 FPS
high365 FPS365 FPS
ultra303 FPS303 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
1080p
low1131 FPS1131 FPS
medium1014 FPS1014 FPS
high889 FPS889 FPS
ultra802 FPS802 FPS
1440p
low890 FPS890 FPS
medium783 FPS783 FPS
high688 FPS688 FPS
ultra599 FPS599 FPS
4K
low649 FPS649 FPS
medium579 FPS579 FPS
high514 FPS514 FPS
ultra437 FPS437 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

AMD

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.

AMD

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 PRO 7985WX and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX share an identical 64-core/128-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX uses the Storm Peak (2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX scores 133,149 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX's 154,361 — a 14.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 100,000 vs 120,000 (18.2% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,599 vs 3,644, a 33.5% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 24,780 vs 37,967 (42% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Both processors carry 256 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
64 / 128
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz
5.4 GHz+6%
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
5 nm
4 nm-20%
Architecture
Storm Peak (2023)
Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark
133,149
154,361+16%
Cinebench R23 Multi
100,000
120,000+20%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,599
3,644+40%
Geekbench 6 Multi
24,780
37,967+53%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the sTR5 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR5-5200 memory speed. Both support up to 2048 GB of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 128 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX).

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Socket
sTR5
sTR5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5200
DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity
2048 GB
2048 GB
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128
128
🔧

Advanced Features

Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support true virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX targets High-end Workstation, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Integrated GPU
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
true
true
Target Use
High-end Workstation
High-end Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX launched at $7349 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX debuted at $7999. On MSRP ($7349 vs $7999), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX is $650 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX delivers 18.1 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX the 6.3% better value option.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
MSRP
$7349-8%
$7999
Performance per Dollar
18.1
19.3+7%
Release Date
2023
2025