CPU Comparison
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX vs Intel Xeon 698X
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is a 64-core, 128-thread Zen 5 workstation processor on the sTR5 platform, designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads such as VFX rendering, scientific simulation, and large-scale AI development, with 8-channel DDR5-6400 and up to 148 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Exceptional multi-threaded performance for professional applications; competes with or exceeds top Xeon workstation CPUs in many rendering and compilation workloads.
Intel claims up to 61% higher multi-threaded performance vs the previous 60-core Xeon W9-3595X at the same 350 W TDP, but no single standardized score is available. Real-world productivity depends heavily on workload scaling and memory subsystem usage.
Gaming
Capable of high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and 4K in CPU-heavy titles, but not its focus; mainstream high-end desktop CPUs often match or beat it in gaming while costing far less.
Not designed or benchmarked for gaming; no official gaming scores. High core count does not translate into gaming performance, and latency/clock behavior is tuned for workstation, not game, workloads.
Virtualization
Excellent for running many VMs or containers simultaneously, thanks to 128 threads, 8-channel memory, and massive PCIe connectivity.
Strong virtualization potential due to high core count, eight-channel memory, and extensive I/O, but no official benchmark score is available.
Efficiency
High absolute performance but also high power draw; efficiency per watt is not a strength versus lower-core mainstream or server alternatives.
Intel 3 improves efficiency over prior generations, but 350–420 W power levels are still high; efficiency comparisons vs AMD Threadripper Pro depend on specific workloads and platform configurations.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Good for CPU-based AI inference and model development, especially with 8-channel memory bandwidth.
- Lacks dedicated matrix or AI accelerators found in some newer server and workstation CPUs.
- Best for hybrid workflows combining local CPU inference with remote GPU or cloud acceleration.
- AMX supports BF16, INT8, and native FP16, important for PyTorch/TensorFlow inference.
- No integrated GPU or dedicated NPU; AI acceleration is CPU-only via AMX and AVX-512.
- Best suited for CPU-based inference, small-to-medium model training, and data preprocessing rather than large-scale GPU training.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Strong single-thread performance thanks to Zen 5 and 5.4 GHz boost.
- More than capable for 1440p/4K gaming with a high-end GPU.
- Significantly more expensive and power-hungry than gaming-focused desktop CPUs.
- Best suited for gaming as a secondary task on a workstation that also does heavy compute.
- Not targeted at gaming; no official gaming benchmarks.
- High core count does not benefit most games, and many games won’t use more than a fraction of the available threads.
- Single-threaded performance is competitive, but gaming-focused CPUs will provide better value and often higher effective FPS per dollar.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 64 Zen 5 cores and 128 threads for extreme multi-threaded throughput.
- 8-channel DDR5-6400 with ECC and up to 2 TB capacity for large datasets.
- Up to 148 PCIe 5.0 lanes (128 Gen5) for multi-GPU and NVMe RAID configurations.
- AMD PRO technologies for security, encryption, and remote management.
- Unlocked multiplier for enthusiast tuning.
- Significant IPC uplift over prior Zen 4 Threadripper PRO generation.
Cons
- Very high platform cost (CPU, WRX90/TRX50 motherboard, 8-channel DDR5 RDIMMs).
- 350 W TDP requires robust cooling and a high-quality power supply.
- Efficiency per watt is unremarkable compared to lower-core alternatives.
- No integrated graphics; discrete GPU required for display.
- Overkill for gaming and light productivity workloads.
Pros
- 86 cores and 172 threads for highly parallel workloads.
- 336 MB L3 cache improves performance on large data sets.
- Eight-channel DDR5/MRDIMM memory with up to 4 TB capacity.
- 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes for multi-GPU and storage-heavy configurations.
- Intel 3 process and Redwood Cove+ cores improve performance and efficiency over Sapphire Rapids.
- AMX with native FP16 acceleration for AI inference.
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking, supported by Intel and partners.
Cons
- Very high power consumption (350 W base, up to 420 W turbo) requiring robust cooling and power supply.
- Expensive, with street prices around $8,300–$8,500 for the CPU alone.
- New platform (W890 chipset, LGA4710) with early-adoer considerations and limited long-term platform history.
- No integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
- Gaming and lightly threaded workloads see little benefit relative to cheaper, lower-core-count CPUs.
Competitors & Alternatives
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
- Intel Xeon w9-3495XRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon w5-3435XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WXRival
Workstation
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
Server/Workstation
- RivalCompare head-to-head
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950XAlt
High-end mainstream desktop CPU with much lower cost and power draw; sufficient if your workload fits within 16 cores and 2 memory channels.
Intel Xeon 698X
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WXRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WXRival
Workstation
- Compare head-to-headAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970XRival
HEDT/Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon w9-3595XRival
Workstation (previous gen)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 696XRival
Workstation (same gen, lower core count)
Our Verdict on Each
An extremely powerful workstation CPU that trades blows with top Xeon parts in multi-threaded workloads while offering substantially more PCIe 5.0 lanes and memory bandwidth, but it comes at a very high price and requires robust cooling and platform investment.
Best for: Building or upgrading a professional workstation for 3D rendering, simulation, AI development, or virtualization where you need 64+ cores, 8-channel memory, and massive PCIe 5.0 expansion.
Read the full reviewAn extremely powerful workstation CPU with best-in-class core count, memory capacity, and I/O for the Xeon 600 platform, best suited for professional workflows that can saturate its 86 cores and 128 PCIe lanes.
Best for: Professional workstations for rendering, simulation, AI development, or data processing that can leverage 86 cores, eight-channel memory, and 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes in a single socket.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX or Intel Xeon 698X?
For gaming, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX and Intel Xeon 698X.
Do AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX and Intel Xeon 698X use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX: sTR5, Intel Xeon 698X: FCLGA4710), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 698X has the most cores. Core counts: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (64 cores), Intel Xeon 698X (86 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (31,233), Intel Xeon 698X (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.