Ryzen Threadripper 3970X vs Xeon E5-2689
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Xeon E5-2689 by a whopping 538% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 996 | 54 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.39 | 24.27 |
| Market segment | Server | Desktop processor |
| Series | Xeon | AMD Ryzen Threadripper |
| Architecture codename | no data | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| Release date | 6 March 2012 (12 years ago) | 25 November 2019 (4 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $1,999 |
| Current price | $76 | $1605 (0.8x MSRP) |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 6123% better value for money than Xeon E5-2689.
Detailed specifications
Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 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 | 8 (Octa-Core) | 32 (Dotriaconta-Core) |
| Threads | 16 | 64 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.6 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Bus support | no data | 8 × 16 GT/s |
| L1 cache | no data | 96K (per core) |
| L2 cache | no data | 512K (per core) |
| L3 cache | no data | 128 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 19,200 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | Yes |
Compatibility
Information on Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 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 | no data | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | no data | TR4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 115 Watt | 280 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | no data | + |
| AVX | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR4 Eight-channel |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 256 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 4 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 102.403 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | no data | + |
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 outperforms Xeon E5-2689 by 538% 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 outperforms Xeon E5-2689 by 537% in Passmark.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 6.41 | 40.89 |
| Physical cores | 8 | 32 |
| Threads | 16 | 64 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 7 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 115 Watt | 280 Watt |
The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon E5-2689 in performance tests.
Be aware that Xeon E5-2689 is a server/workstation processor while Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E5-2689 and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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