Athlon X4 970 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 280 Watt
39.74
+2294%
Athlon X4 970
2017
4 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.66

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Athlon X4 970 by a whopping 2294% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking652062
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation15.59no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen Threadripperno data
Power efficiency13.432.42
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Release date25 November 2019 (4 years ago)27 July 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores32 (Dotriaconta-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads644
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4 GHz
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier37no data
L1 cache96K (per core)128 KB (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache128 MB0 KB
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm28 nm
Die sizeno data246 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data74 °C
Number of transistors19,200 million1,178 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketTR4AM4
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Precision Boost 2+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970 are enumerated here.

AMD-V++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size256 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 39.74
+2294%
Athlon X4 970 1.66

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 63129
+2288%
Athlon X4 970 2644

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 39.74 1.66
Recency 25 November 2019 27 July 2017
Physical cores 32 4
Threads 64 4
Chip lithography 7 nm 28 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 65 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has a 2294% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 700% more physical cores and 1500% more threads, and a 300% more advanced lithography process.

Athlon X4 970, on the other hand, has 330.8% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Athlon X4 970 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Athlon X4 970, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
AMD Athlon X4 970
Athlon X4 970

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Community ratings

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