AMD 64-Core Ryzen Threadripper 9980X Outperforms Previous Flagship WX Series 96-Core Threadripper PRO 7995WX in PassMark Benchmark

In a surprising development in the high-performance CPU market, AMD’s Threadripper 9980X has outperformed the previous flagship model, the Threadripper PRO 7995WX, despite having significantly fewer cores.

Threadripper 9980X Claims Top Spot with 147, 481 Points in Multi-Core PassMark Test

It’s fairly common for newer CPUs to outpace their predecessors, yet the Threadripper 9980X stands out for achieving this feat with a lower core count. Specifically, it possesses 32 fewer cores than the Threadripper PRO 7995WX. Typically, this would suggest a performance deficiency in multi-threaded applications. It’s important to note that while both processors are from different generations, the PRO series is tailored for enterprise use, boasting features such as up to 96 cores and 192 threads.

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X holds its own as a leading model in the Shimada Peak lineup, catering to both enthusiasts and professionals seeking high-caliber performance. Recently, it was put to the test on PassMark, a well-regarded benchmarking tool that evaluates CPU performance across both single and multi-threaded tasks. Impressively, the Threadripper 9980X achieved a remarkable score of 147, 481 points, securing the number one ranking in multi-threaded performance.

This score represents an 8% increase over its predecessor, the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X, which recorded an average of 136, 517 points. Although the performance uplift may not appear significant when examining generational shifts in a broader context, the 9980X has managed to surpass the higher-core count PRO 7995WX, which previously held a top score of 145, 572 points. Moreover, the Threadripper 9980X has excelled in single-core performance, achieving 4, 594 points—a notable 13.7% enhancement over the 7980X.

Both CPUs share identical core and thread configurations, along with similar thermal design power (TDP) ratings. However, the newer Zen 5 architecture and enhanced clock speeds of the 9980X contribute to its impressive performance gains compared to its predecessor. It’s worth noting that while the PassMark scores are informative, they can vary significantly between different tests and become more reliable with an increase in testing scenarios.

Looking forward, the Threadripper 9980X is likely to maintain its competitive edge. However, it’s essential to recognize that single-core performance is not the primary focus of Threadripper processors. Although it surpasses prior iterations, it still trails behind mainstream desktop CPUs such as the Core Ultra 9 285K, which scored 5, 096 points, and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, registering just over 4, 700 points in the same single-threaded benchmarks.

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