Xeon Max 9480 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
Aggregate performance score
Xeon Max 9480 outperforms Ryzen Threadripper 3990X by a small 9% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 34 | 24 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 9.21 | 0.04 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Server |
| Series | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | no data |
| Power efficiency | 17.00 | 14.88 |
| Architecture codename | Matisse (2019−2020) | Sapphire Rapids HBM (2023) |
| Release date | 7 February 2020 (4 years ago) | 10 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $3,999 | $12,980 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has 22925% better value for money than Xeon Max 9480.
Detailed specifications
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480 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 | 64 (Tetrahexaconta-Core) | 56 (Hexapentaconta-Core) |
| Threads | 128 | 112 |
| Base clock speed | 2.9 GHz | 1.9 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.3 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Multiplier | 29 | no data |
| L1 cache | 96K (per core) | 80K (per core) |
| L2 cache | 512K (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 256 MB | 112.5 MB |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm, 12 nm | 10 nm |
| Die size | 74 mm2 | 4x 477 mm2 |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 95 °C | 64 °C |
| Number of transistors | 3,800 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | no data |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480 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 | 2 |
| Socket | TR4 | 4677 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 350 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | no data | + |
| TSX | - | + |
| Precision Boost 2 | + | no data |
Security technologies
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480 are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | - |
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory size | 256 GB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 102.403 GB/s | no data |
| ECC memory support | + | - |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480.
| PCIe version | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 80 |
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 50.29 | 55.03 |
| Recency | 7 February 2020 | 10 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 64 | 56 |
| Threads | 128 | 112 |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm | 10 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 350 Watt |
Ryzen Threadripper 3990X has 14.3% more physical cores and 14.3% more threads, a 42.9% more advanced lithography process, and 25% lower power consumption.
Xeon Max 9480, on the other hand, has a 9.4% higher aggregate performance score, and an age advantage of 2 years.
Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480.
Note that Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is a desktop processor while Xeon Max 9480 is a server/workstation one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Xeon Max 9480, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
Similar processor comparisons
We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.
