Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
64C/128T · 5.4 GHz · 350 W · sTR5 · PassMark #11
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Zen 5 · 16C/32T · 3D V-Cache · AM5
Ryzen 9 9950X3D takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X lands at 80 and Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 96. That puts Ryzen 9 9950X3D ahead by 16 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Ryzen Threadripper 9980X if…
- ✓PassMark rank #11 — strong productivity throughput
- ✓HEDT platform with abundant PCIe and memory lanes
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $4,399
Pick Ryzen 9 9950X3D if…
- ✓16C productivity + 3D V-Cache on gaming CCD
- ✓Lower power than Intel 14900K
- ✓Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Ryzen 9 9950X3DSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Ryzen 9 9950X3D more score per dollar ($699 vs $4,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Ryzen Threadripper 9980X | Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 64 | 16 (16C/32T; only one CCD carries 3D V-Cache) |
| Threads | ▲ 128 | 32 |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | ▲ 256 MB | 128 MB (96 MB stacked + 32 MB) |
| TDP | 350 W | 170 W |
| Socket | sTR5 | AM5 |
| Platform | TRX50 | — |
| Memory | 4-channel DDR5-6400 ECC RDIMM, up to 1TB | ▲ DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe | 48x PCIe 5.0 + 32x PCIe 4.0 from CPU (80 CPU lanes) + chipset x4 uplink | — |
| PassMark rank | #11 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 142,812 | — |
| Process | — | TSMC 4 nm |
| iGPU | — | Radeon Graphics (RDNA 2, 2 CUs) |
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
- +PassMark rank #11 — strong productivity throughput
- +HEDT platform with abundant PCIe and memory lanes
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $4,399
- −HEDT motherboards and cooling raise total platform cost
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- +16C productivity + 3D V-Cache on gaming CCD
- +Lower power than Intel 14900K
- +Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
- −$699 premium pricing
- −Only one CCD has the stacked cache
- −X870E motherboard recommended
FAQ: Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Which is better, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X or Ryzen 9 9950X3D? +
Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 16. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Ryzen Threadripper 9980X worth the price? +
At $4,999, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers a Specdex score of 80 — strongest in passmark.
Is Ryzen 9 9950X3D worth the price? +
At $699, Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in gaming.
Does Ryzen Threadripper 9980X or Ryzen 9 9950X3D last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Ryzen Threadripper 9980X or Ryzen 9 9950X3D? +
Ryzen 9 9950X3D — more score per dollar ($699 vs $4,999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.