Threadripper vs Ryzen 9 CPU – Which is best? (Reviewed for 2023)

Expert Consulted:  Adrian Gardiner. Over the years, I’ve built a fair number of PCs using a range of different processors, choosing carefully for the intended application, i.e., gaming, for example. In this article, I’ve used this experience to help show the benefits of each type of CPU, hopefully making it easier to choose.

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Threadripper vs Ryzen 9? Launched in 2017, the AMD Threadripper and AMD Ryzen 9 processors were designed for very different tasks.

Choosing one over the other requires careful consideration, especially bearing in mind the cost difference between each.

Just 3 weeks ago, I built a high-end gaming PC for a customer that was fitted with an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X, this being the most appropriate CPU for this requirement from a performance and cost perspective. My customer wanted the best available!

To make this processor comparison, we need to know the differences between each type of CPU and where their strengths and weaknesses lie.

This article covers all the essential details you’ll need to be able to make an informed decision based on what your requirements are likely to be.

Related Article: AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel i5

Threadripper vs Ryzen 9 CPU – Which is best?

The question of which type of processor to use is addressed in detail over the following sections.

Specifications

With the ever-increasing demand for more computing power, the intense competition between processor manufacturers became even more intense.

AMD created their Ryzen range of processors to compete directly with the Intel range of mainstream CPUs, hence the names Ryzen 3, 5, 7, and 9, targeting the Intel Core i3, 5, 7, and 9.

The Threadripper range stands alone as a powerhouse of a processor created by AMD to target high-end, professional users requiring immense computing power.

The following data highlights the main differences between the Ryzen Threadripper and Ryzen 9 processors.

It’s easy to see from the above table the huge difference in specification between the two CPUs.

The Threadripper is clearly a real powerhouse and is designed for more than just gaming.

Cores and Threads

AMD Ryzen 9 processors offer high core counts, ranging from 12 to 16 cores, with simultaneous multithreading (SMT) doubling the thread count.

For instance, the Ryzen 9 5950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, making it a powerful choice for multitasking and productivity.

AMD Threadripper processors, on the other hand, offer even higher core counts, starting at 24 cores and going up to 64 cores with the flagship Threadripper 5995WX.

This allows for an unparalleled number of threads, which can reach up to 128 with SMT (simultaneous multi-threading), making these CPUs ideal for heavily multi-threaded workloads.

Clock Speeds

Ryzen 9 processors have impressive clock speeds, with base frequencies usually around 4.7 GHz and boost frequencies up to 5.7 GHz. This allows them to deliver exceptional single-threaded performance, suitable for gaming and everyday tasks.

Threadripper CPUs, while offering lower base clock speeds (around 4.1 GHz), still manage to reach impressive boost frequencies (up to 4.5 GHz).

The lower base clock speeds help to maintain a reasonable thermal envelope, given the high core count, while the high boost speeds ensure competitive single-threaded performance.

Cache

Ryzen 9 series processors feature large L3 cache sizes, typically between 32 and 128 MB, which reduces memory latency (this is the time it takes to get a response from memory to a request for data by the processor) and enhances overall performance.

In comparison, Threadripper CPUs offer huge cache sizes, up to a massive 256 MB in the 5995WX, further improving performance in memory-intensive applications.

TDP

Ryzen 9 processors have TDP* (thermal design power) ratings up to 170 watts, making them relatively power efficient for their performance level.

Threadripper CPUs, on the other hand, have higher TDPs of up to 280 watts for the 64-core 5995WX.

*Thermal design power, measured in watts, refers to the power consumption under max load. This power figure is what you would use to design your system around (i.e., helping to size up a PSU).

Use Cases for Each Processor Type

In this section, we cover the areas in which each processor excels to give you an idea as to which would meet your own particular needs.

It is worth mentioning that a lot of users will select the Ryzen 9 processor for gaming (mainly due to its lower price and superior gaming abilities).

However, the Ryzen 9 is capable of a great deal more, including handling many of the applications that the Threadripper was designed for – with a lot less power, of course, but certainly capable.

Mainstream and Enthusiast Users – Ryzen 9

For mainstream users and gaming enthusiasts, Ryzen 9 processors offer a great balance of performance and price.

They deliver outstanding gaming performance while also being capable of handling productivity and content creation tasks.

For users who want a powerful system for both gaming and work, Ryzen 9 processors are an excellent and great value choice.

Popular Applications

Some of the most popular applications used by Ryzen 9 users would include:

• Gaming
• Content Creation
• Streaming
• Multitasking.

Professionals and Creators – Ryzen Threadripper

For professionals and creators who require extreme multitasking capabilities and raw computing power, Threadripper processors are the ideal choice.

Their high core and thread counts make them well-suited for tasks such as high-resolution video editing, 3D rendering, scientific simulations, and other compute-intensive applications.

While they may not be the most cost-effective option for gaming, they offer unparalleled performance for professional use cases.

Popular Applications

AMD Threadripper processors are designed for professional applications demanding high core and thread counts.

Excelling in handling multithreaded workloads, Threadripper CPUs are ideal for a wide range of applications.

Some of the areas most suited to the Threadripper processor would include:

• 3D Rendering
• High-Resolution Video Editing
• Scientific Simulations
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• 3D Modelling
• Animation
• Special Effects
• Gaming
• Anything requiring extreme computing power.

The following applications would fall into the above categories and would be perfect for the Threadripper:

• Adobe Premiere Pro (video encoding and rendering)
• DaVinci Resolve (video editing and rendering)
• AutoDesk Maya (3D modeling, animation, and rendering)
• Blender (3D modeling, animation, and rendering)
• AutoDesk 3DS Max (3D modeling, animation, and rendering)
• Maxon Cinema 4D (3D modeling, animation, and rendering)
• Adobe After Effects (Visual Effects)
• Houdini (3D animation and visual effects)
• Nuke (Node based compositing)
• V-Ray (3D rendering)
• Corona Renderer (photorealistic rendering)
• SolidWorks (3D computer-aided design)
• ANSYS (Engineering simulation).

These are just a few of the many applications that would greatly benefit from the raw power of a Threadripper processor.

As AMD says on their Threadripper webpage, say goodbye to the ‘Render Bar’, basically meaning no more waiting around for renders to complete in most cases.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons for each processor:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between the AMD Ryzen 9 and Threadripper CPUs depends on your specific needs and budget.

Ryzen 9 processors will give you a great balance between gaming and productivity performance, making them an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Threadripper CPUs, designed for professional use cases, provide unparalleled multithreaded performance for creators and professionals who require extreme computing power.

However, going for the Threadripper CPU and the specialist setup that goes with it (think special motherboard, cooling, and memory) means you’ll need very deep pockets indeed.

By carefully considering your computing needs, budget, and the workloads you’ll be running, you can make a well-informed decision between these two powerful AMD processor offerings.

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