Ryzen Threadripper 2950X vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Ryzen Threadripper 2950X by a whopping 114% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 65 | 323 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 16.23 | 8.44 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | AMD Ryzen Threadripper |
| Power efficiency | 13.42 | 9.75 |
| Architecture codename | Matisse (2019−2020) | ZEN+ (2018−2019) |
| Release date | 7 November 2019 (5 years ago) | 6 August 2018 (6 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,999 | $899 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 92% better value for money than Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.
Detailed specifications
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 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 | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.5 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Bus rate | 8 × 16 GT/s | 4 × 8 GT/s |
| Multiplier | 37 | 35 |
| L1 cache | 2 MB | 1.5 MB |
| L2 cache | 16 MB | 8 MB |
| L3 cache | 128 MB | 32 MB |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm, 12 nm | 12 nm |
| Die size | no data | 213 mm2 |
| Number of transistors | 23540 Million | 9600 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 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) | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | TR4 | Socket TR4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 180 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X. 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 Ryzen Threadripper 2950X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4 Eight-channel | DDR4 Quad-channel |
| Maximum memory size | 256 GB | 2 TiB |
| Max memory channels | 4 | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 102.403 GB/s | 93.867 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | + | + |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | - | - |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 39.70 | 18.55 |
| Recency | 7 November 2019 | 6 August 2018 |
| Physical cores | 32 | 16 |
| Threads | 64 | 32 |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm | 12 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 180 Watt |
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has a 114% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and a 71.4% more advanced lithography process.
Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, on the other hand, has 55.6% lower power consumption.
The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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