Performance comparison: which is faster?
AMD Threadripper 3990X (AMD, 2020) and AMD Threadripper 3970X (AMD, 2019) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Threadripper 3990X is about 23.1% faster
Both use the same sTRX4 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Threadripper 3990X | Threadripper 3970X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 80,000 | 65,000 |
| Generation | Threadripper | Threadripper |
| Socket | sTRX4 | sTRX4 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2019 |
| Type | Server | Server |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 6700 XT | GeForce RTX 4060 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Threadripper 3990X |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Either works (same sTRX4 socket) |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | Threadripper 3970X (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Threadripper 3990X is about 23.1% higher by score (Threadripper 3990X: 80000 points / Threadripper 3970X: 65000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Both are Threadripper-generation CPUs.Both use the same sTRX4 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 6700 XT pairs well with Threadripper 3990X and GeForce RTX 4060 pairs well with Threadripper 3970X. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
