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HotHardware’s July 30, 2025 tests found the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and 9970X delivering the strongest results in its comparison for Geekbench 6.4 and PCMark 10 Applications, while their memory-bandwidth advantage over the tested Xeon and Threadripper 7000 systems contrasted with mixed latency results. Those are outcomes from HotHardware’s specific test systems—not a guarantee that every application or build will behave the same way.
What this page tests
This is the memory and application-benchmark portion of HotHardware’s Threadripper 9980X and 9970X review. It covers memory bandwidth and latency, cache behavior, general CPU performance in Geekbench 6.4, and Office and browser workloads in UL PCMark 10 Applications.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9980X | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
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AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 7970X 32-Core, 64-Thread Processor | $1,957.07 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9960X | $1,449.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 7980X 64-Core, 128-Thread Processor | $3,064.63 | Buy on Amazon |
HotHardware’s review, written by Marco Chiappetta and dated July 30, 2025, says it refreshed its processor test beds and generated new benchmark data for that review cycle. The publication installed and updated Windows 11 Pro, used current-at-publication firmware and drivers, applied board-optimized or high-performance defaults, and standardized system cleanup. Memory was set to the maximum officially supported speed without overclocking. These details matter: the results describe those configured systems, not every possible motherboard, memory kit, or software version. HotHardware’s methodology and results
How the 9980X and 9970X differ
The CPUs share the sTR5 socket and TRX50 chipset platform, but the 9980X has twice the cores and L3 cache. AMD specifies four-channel DDR5 RDIMM support up to 6400 MT/s for both. Confirm the motherboard’s supported memory configurations and the kit’s compatibility before building.
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- AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors for Desktop Workstations
- Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series
| Specification | Threadripper 9980X | Threadripper 9970X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 64 / 128 | 32 / 64 |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz | 4.0 GHz |
| Maximum boost clock | Up to 5.4 GHz | Up to 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Total cache | 320 MB | 160 MB |
| Default TDP | 350 W | 350 W |
| Memory support | Four-channel DDR5 RDIMM, up to 6400 MT/s | Four-channel DDR5 RDIMM, up to 6400 MT/s |
AMD’s product pages distinguish L3 cache from total cache; the total-cache figures come from AMD’s COMPUTEX 2025 launch table. Both processors support ECC memory and PCIe 5.0, require discrete graphics, and are listed without an included thermal solution. AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X specifications · AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X specifications · AMD’s COMPUTEX 2025 release
Memory bandwidth, memory latency, and cache latency
HotHardware used AIDA64 to examine read, write, and copy bandwidth, memory latency, and cache bandwidth and latency. It reports that the new processors’ official 6400 MT/s memory support helped their tested systems achieve significantly higher peak memory bandwidth than the Xeon and previous-generation Threadripper 7000 systems in its comparison. The review also discusses comparison systems operating at 5200 and 4800 MT/s; those figures describe the systems in that test, not a universal platform limit.
The latency picture was less uniform. HotHardware places the 9980X and 9970X in the middle of the pack for memory latency. Among the Threadrippers, it describes broadly similar L1 latency, lower L2 latency but higher L3 latency for the new pair than for their predecessors, and lower cache bandwidth on the tested Xeons. These are review-specific comparisons, not a ranking that can be applied independently of system configuration or workload. The extracted review text does not provide exact chart scores, so numerical results cannot be stated here. HotHardware’s AIDA64 results
Rank #2
- 32 Cores and 64 Processing Threads for Powerful, Professional Processing Power
- Incredible 5.3 GHz Max Boost Frequency, with a huge 160MB Cache
- Unlocked, with automatic overclocking feature
- Quad-Channel DDR5 RDIMM support up to 1TB, and 80 usable PCIe lanes for serious bandwidth and I/O
- 350W TDP, Cooler Not Included
Geekbench 6.4: strong overall results, but not a core-count test
Geekbench 6.4 combines single- and multithreaded CPU workloads, including encryption, image compression, HTML5 parsing, and physics. HotHardware reports that the 9980X and 9970X took the top two positions in its comparison.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →That result does not mean Geekbench fully rewards the 9980X’s additional cores or cache. HotHardware cautions that this benchmark does not benefit much from the extra cores or cache in some very high-core-count chips. Treat the result as one view of mixed CPU performance rather than a direct forecast for heavily parallel rendering, compiling, or other sustained workloads. Exact scores are not available in the extracted text. HotHardware’s Geekbench results
PCMark 10 Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Edge
For UL PCMark 10 Applications, HotHardware ran workloads using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Edge. It reports the two Threadripper 9000 processors in the top two positions among the systems it tested. The publication attributes the showing to a combination of memory speed, clock rates, and Zen 5 architecture.
Rank #3
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors for Desktop Workstations
- Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series
This is evidence about those benchmark workloads on HotHardware’s configured systems, not proof that all everyday tasks will run faster for every user. Application version, project size, system configuration, and the specific task can change which resources matter. The extracted text does not give exact chart scores. HotHardware’s PCMark 10 Applications results
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which processor fits your workload?
Choose by parallel throughput
The 9980X’s 64 cores and 128 threads give it twice the core and thread count of the 9970X, which may suit workloads that can keep many cores busy. The specification alone does not establish how much faster it will be in a particular application; software scaling and the full system determine that.
Consider clock behavior and the application mix
The 9970X has a higher listed base clock—4.0 GHz versus 3.2 GHz—while both processors list boost clocks up to 5.4 GHz. Base and maximum boost figures do not predict sustained clocks in every workload. For software dominated by lightly threaded tasks, compare results from the specific applications you use rather than assuming that more cores or a higher base clock settles the choice.
Rank #4
- 64 Cores and 48 Processing Threads for Incredible, Professional Processing Power
- Incredible 5.1 GHz Max Boost Frequency, with a colossal 320MB Cache
- Unlocked, with automatic overclocking feature
- Quad-Channel DDR5 RDIMM support up to 1TB, and 80 usable PCIe lanes for serious bandwidth and I/O
- 350W TDP, Cooler Not Included
Include the platform in the decision
Both CPUs use sTR5 and TRX50, support four-channel DDR5 RDIMM up to 6400 MT/s, have a 350 W default TDP, require a discrete GPU, and are sold without a thermal solution according to AMD’s product pages. A complete build therefore needs a compatible board, memory, graphics card, and cooling solution. Check the board’s CPU and memory support and the cooler’s compatibility before purchase.
AMD’s July 2025 launch guidance said DIY Threadripper 9000 products and high-end desktop platforms were expected at retailers starting that month. That historical guidance does not establish current stock or pricing. Without current prices and a defined workload, the benchmark results do not support declaring either CPU the better value.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
