AMD's Threadripper 9980X Put to Test in Games
AMD's Ryzen Threadripper chips are made for work use, not for gaming. Yet, the German site ComputerBase ran deep game tests on AMD's 64-core Threadripper 9980X, setting it up against top game CPUs.
Benchmark and Synthetic Test Results
In the fake tests, results were what one might guess. The huge 64-core Threadripper 9980X did much better than normal PCs like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and Ryzen 9 9950X3D in tasks with many threads, since it has more cores. But, in tests with one core, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D was ahead, thanks to its higher speed set for gaming.
Real-World Gaming Performance
In a real game set up, using the game Starfield, the big 9980X showed power about the same as the latest Ryzen 7 series CPU. This is okay, but there is a clear gap when put next to the best game CPUs.
On heat, the chip stayed quite cool for what it is. With a TDP of up to 280 watts, its heat stayed between 68°C and 85°C during the tests.
9980X vs the 32-Core 9970X Which is Better
They also tested it next to the 32-core Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. This test showed the 9970X is a better pick in terms of price for what you get.
- The 32-core 9970X is a bit less good than the 64-core in a mix of settings.
- The 9970X has a price tag of $2499, while the 64-core 9980X is at $4999.
Test Wrap-Up and Conclusion
The tests make it clear while the 64-core Threadripper 9980X does okay in games, it is not the best or most money-wise choice for that. It does best in pro work needs with a lot of threads, and game players should look at normal game CPUs that bring better game play for less money.
