EPYC 7542 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

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Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 280 Watt
39.70
+40.1%
EPYC 7542
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 225 Watt
28.33

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms EPYC 7542 by a considerable 40% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking65163
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation16.235.32
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesAMD Ryzen ThreadripperAMD EPYC
Power efficiency13.4211.92
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Zen 2 (2017−2020)
Release date7 November 2019 (5 years ago)7 August 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999$3,400

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 205% better value for money than EPYC 7542.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542 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)32 (Dotriaconta-Core)
Threads6464
Base clock speed3.7 GHz2.9 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.4 GHz
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/sno data
Multiplier3729
L1 cache2 MB2 MB
L2 cache16 MB16 MB
L3 cache128 MB128 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm7 nm, 14 nm
Die sizeno data192 mm2
Number of transistors23540 Million4,800 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542 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)2 (Multiprocessor)
SocketTR4SP3
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt225 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Precision Boost 2++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542 are enumerated here.

AMD-V++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR4 Eight-channel
Maximum memory size256 GB4 TiB
Max memory channels48
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/s204.763 GB/s
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 39.70
+40.1%
EPYC 7542 28.33

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 63069
+40.1%
EPYC 7542 45003

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 1662
+55.8%
EPYC 7542 1067

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 13839
+61.6%
EPYC 7542 8564

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 39.70 28.33
Recency 7 November 2019 7 August 2019
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 225 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has a 40.1% higher aggregate performance score, and an age advantage of 3 months.

EPYC 7542, on the other hand, has 24.4% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the EPYC 7542 in performance tests.

Note that Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a desktop processor while EPYC 7542 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7542, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
AMD EPYC 7542
EPYC 7542

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.1 348 votes

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4.4 8 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Ryzen Threadripper 3970X or EPYC 7542, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.