AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

Processor comparisons   17-03-2021
   Perhaps you are thinking about choosing a processor, you will be able to make a decision by looking at the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X tests and see which is better for games or normal use for streaming, programming, rendering, video editing, machine learning. Here is all information from real streaming and video editing tests or many benchmarks. A thorough review of all the specifications, to make it easier to understand, is summarized in the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in software tests like PassMark, SuperPi, PCMark 10, UserBenchmark, Blender, VeraCrypt, Dolphin Emulator, Gears 5, Blender, Prime95, 7zip, MATLAB, Handbrake, DaVinci Resolve Studio, 3DMark, GeekBench 6, 5.2, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, AIDA64, Furmark, RealBench, WPrime, Cinebench 23 (20, 15).
   Gaming performance of processors in:

Overwatch
Cyberpunk 2077
Red Dead Redemption 2
Valorant
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Valheim
Grand Theft Auto V
Death Stranding
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Halo Infinite
Borderlands 3
Fortnite
DOOM: Eternal
Last Man Standing
Rainbow Six Siege
Watch Dogs Legion
Fallout 76
Apex Legends

After looking at the data of all benchmarks and videos, you already be able to know which CPU is better to buy for gaming AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

66%

Ryzen 9 5900X

61%

This parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is 7% better than Ryzen 9 5900X. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

64%

Ryzen 9 5900X

58%

The maximum result in this parameter is 100 percent, which is the performance of the most powerful processor at the moment. And it is clear that this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you think that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: NBA 2K20, Half-Life: Alyx, Ghostrunner, Horizon Zero Dawn, League of Legends (LOL), Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Hitman 3, Metro Exodus, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Monster Hunter World, Forza Horizon 4, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Control, DOTA 2A, Battlefield V.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	113.6	102.7
Valorant	129.1	116.7
Cyberpunk 2077	72.3	65.3
Apex Legends	121.3	109.7
Call of Duty Warzone	96.8	87.5
Overwatch	104.5	94.5
Red Dead Redemption 2	89.1	80.5
DOOM Eternal	64.5	58.3
Warzone	100.7	91.0
Assassin's Creed	108.4	98.0
Valheim	107.1	96.8

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The tested computers not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 2K, 4K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. To be sure exactly how much performance the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

15%

Ryzen 9 5900X

51%

To make a finishing resolution on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. It is clear that the newer the generation, the better the performance of the processor in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Ryzen 9 5900X is more energy efficient than the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X as it consumes less power: 280W vs. 105W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to know its TDP. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

Let's say you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for video rendering or video editing, streaming, programming, machine learning, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to achieve maximum performance, the processor turns on all cores and threads that it has. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to find out whether the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that can use only one core to run, and all the advantages of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Cinbench 15 Single-core	209	270
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	5933	3684
Cinbench 20 Single-core	509	637
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	13552	8468
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1270	1622
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	34255	21878

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Single-Core	2663	3470
Multi-Core	54830	39428

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Single-Core	1306	1612
Multi-Core	25072	14387

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same can be said about overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS even in the newest games. Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The economy are obvious!

	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Announcement date	November 25, 2019	November 05, 2020
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	sTRX4	AM4
Core name	Castle Peak	Vermeer
Architecture	Zen 2	Zen 3
Generation	3	4
Turbo Frequency	4.5 MHz	4.8 MHz
Frequency	3.8 MHz	3.7 MHz
Cores	24	12
Threads	48	24
Bus rate
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	22600 millions	9400 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	280 W	105 W
Memory type	DDR4	DDR4
Max. Memory
Memory Frequency	3200	3200
Memory bandwidth
L1 cache	1.5MB
L2 cache	12MB	6MB
L3 cache	128MB	64MB
Overclocking	Yes	Yes
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number	100-000000010 100-100000010WOF	100-000000061 100-100000061WOF

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is 2% better than Ryzen 9 5900X in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has 12 more core than Ryzen 9 5900X. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is better: 21
The number of parameters for which AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is better: 11
Although it should be understood that all the data in the article above do not mean that taking them into account you should entirely trust a simple comparison of these numbers. Be sure to watch the video tests and read the reviews of real owners of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and AMD Ryzen 9 5900X before making a choice which of the processors to buy for gaming.

• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X specs and review.

• AMD Ryzen 9 5900X specs and review.