EPYC 7281 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	65	542
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	15.59	4.68
Market segment	Desktop processor	Server
Series	AMD Ryzen Threadripper	AMD EPYC
Power efficiency	13.43	7.58
Architecture codename	Matisse (2019−2020)	Naples (2017−2018)
Release date	25 November 2019 (4 years ago)	20 June 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,999	$650

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 233% better value for money than EPYC 7281.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281 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 cores	32 (Dotriaconta-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	64	32
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	2.1 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	2.1 GHz
Bus rate	8 × 16 GT/s	no data
Multiplier	37	21
L1 cache	96K (per core)	1.5 MB
L2 cache	512K (per core)	8 MB
L3 cache	128 MB	32 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	7 nm, 12 nm	14 nm
Die size	no data	213 mm2
Number of transistors	19,200 million	19200 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281 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 configuration	1 (Uniprocessor)	2 (Multiprocessor)
Socket	TR4	TR4
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	155 W, 170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281 are enumerated here.

AMD-V

+

+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4 Eight-channel	DDR4 Eight-channel
Maximum memory size	256 GB	2 TiB
Max memory channels	4	8
Maximum memory bandwidth	102.403 GB/s	170.671 GB/s
ECC memory support	+	+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281.

PCIe version	no data	3.0
PCI Express lanes	no data	128

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	40.50	13.87
Recency	25 November 2019	20 June 2017
Physical cores	32	16
Threads	64	32
Chip lithography	7 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	155 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7281, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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