Ryzen 5 3500X vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 280 Watt
40.89
+380%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Ryzen 5 3500X by a whopping 380% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking54839
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation24.2732.81
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen ThreadripperAMD Ryzen 5
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Matisse (2019−2020)
Release date25 November 2019 (4 years ago)24 September 2019 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999no data
Current price$1605 (0.8x MSRP)$125

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 5 3500X has 35% better value for money than Ryzen Threadripper 3970X.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X 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 cores32 (Dotriaconta-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads646
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.1 GHz
Bus support8 × 16 GT/sno data
L1 cache96K (per core)96K (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache128 MB32 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm7 nm, 12 nm
Number of transistors19,200 million4,800 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketTR4AM4
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X are enumerated here.

AMD-V++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size256 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/s51.196 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.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 40.89
+380%
Ryzen 5 3500X 8.52

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Ryzen 5 3500X by 380% based on our aggregate benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 63242
+380%
Ryzen 5 3500X 13177

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Ryzen 5 3500X by 380% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 1636
+4.9%
Ryzen 5 3500X 1559

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Ryzen 5 3500X by 5% in GeekBench 5 Single-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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 13986
+138%
Ryzen 5 3500X 5874

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Ryzen 5 3500X by 138% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 40.89 8.52
Recency 25 November 2019 24 September 2019
Physical cores 32 6
Threads 64 6
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 65 Watt

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Ryzen 5 3500X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Ryzen 5 3500X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
AMD Ryzen 5 3500X
Ryzen 5 3500X

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.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.1 343 votes

Rate Ryzen Threadripper 3970X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.3 1711 votes

Rate Ryzen 5 3500X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Ryzen Threadripper 3970X or Ryzen 5 3500X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.