EPYC 7401 vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms EPYC 7401 by a moderate 14% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 74 | 119 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 15.92 | 9.11 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Server |
| Series | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | AMD EPYC |
| Power efficiency | 13.37 | 19.31 |
| Designer | AMD | AMD |
| Architecture codename | Matisse (2019−2020) | Naples (2017−2018) |
| Release date | 25 November 2019 (5 years ago) | 29 June 2017 (7 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,999 | $1,850 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 75% better value for money than EPYC 7401.
Detailed specifications
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401 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) | 24 (Tetracosa-Core) |
| Threads | 64 | 48 |
| Base clock speed | 3.7 GHz | 2 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.5 GHz | 3 GHz |
| Bus rate | 8 × 16 GT/s | no data |
| Multiplier | 37 | 20 |
| L1 cache | 96K (per core) | 96K (per core) |
| L2 cache | 512K (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| L3 cache | 128 MB | 64 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm, 12 nm | 14 nm |
| Die size | no data | 192 mm2 |
| Number of transistors | 19,200 million | 4,800 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401 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) | 2 (Multiprocessor) |
| Socket | TR4 | TR4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 170 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Precision Boost 2 | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401 are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4 Eight-channel | DDR4 Eight-channel |
| Maximum memory size | 256 GB | 2 TiB |
| Max memory channels | 4 | 8 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 102.403 GB/s | 170.671 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | + | + |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and EPYC 7401.
| PCIe version | no data | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 128 |
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.
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. Other than that, Passmark measures multi-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 39.33 | 34.46 |
| Recency | 25 November 2019 | 29 June 2017 |
| Physical cores | 32 | 24 |
| Threads | 64 | 48 |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm | 14 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 280 Watt | 170 Watt |
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has a 14.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 100% more advanced lithography process.
EPYC 7401, on the other hand, has 64.7% lower power consumption.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the AMD EPYC 7401 in performance tests.
Note that Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a desktop processor while EPYC 7401 is a server/workstation one.
Other comparisons
We've compiled a selection of CPU comparisons, ranging from closely matched processors to other comparisons that may be of interest.
