AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X vs Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4
Buy the Threadripper 7960X if you are building a new workstation for rendering, simulation or heavy multitasking. It has 24 modern cores, DDR5, PCIe 5.0 and a current platform. The Xeon E5-2697 v4 only makes sense as a cheap upgrade for an existing LGA2011-3 server or workstation. No current prices were provided for either part, so compare live store prices before deciding.
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Choose the Ryzen Threadripper 7960X if you need a new high-core workstation with DDR5, ECC memory support and long-term platform life.
Pros
- 24 Zen 4 cores with 48 threads
- High 5.3 GHz boost for lightly threaded work
- DDR5 with ECC and 1TB capacity
- PCIe 5.0 for fast GPUs and NVMe
- Unlocked for overclocking
Cons
What separates them
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X | Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores and threads | 24 cores, 48 threads | 18 cores, 36 threads |
| Clock speed | 4.2 GHz base, 5.3 GHz boost | 2.3 GHz base |
| Socket and platform | Socket sTR5, new in 2023 | Socket LGA2011-3, launched 2016 |
| Memory | Quad-channel DDR5 up to 5200 MT/s, 1TB max, ECC | Quad-channel DDR4, ECC on server boards |
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 lanes for GPUs and storage | PCIe 3.0 |
| Power draw | 350 W TDP | 145 W TDP |
| Integrated graphics | None, discrete GPU required | None |
| Price and availability |
Price history
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X: lowest $1,099.99 on Nov 3 at B&H Photo-Video-Audio.
- Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4: lowest $356.00 on Nov 3 at Global One Technology.
Prices at every store
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4
- CPU MedicsCheck price at CPU Medics
- directmacro.comCheck price at directmacro.com
- ServerSupply.comCheck price at ServerSupply.com
Specs compared
| Spec | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X | Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket Type | Socket sTR5 | Socket LGA2011-3 |
| Clock Speed | 4.2 GHz | 2.3 GHz |
| Number Of Cores | 24 | 18-core |
| Integrated Graphics | No | — |
| Manufacturer | AMD | — |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.3 GHz | — |
| Number Of Threads | 48 | — |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 350 W | — |
| Supports Overclocking | Yes | — |
| RAM Type | DDR5 | — |
What reviewers say
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
Owners treat the 7960X as a workstation chip and praise its multi-core throughput in rendering and compilation. Many note the heat, power draw and platform cost as the main trade-offs.
What people mention
- PerformancePraisedOwners report fast rendering, encoding and compile times from the 24 cores.
- Power drawCriticisedThe 350 W TDP means big coolers and power supplies are needed.
- Platform costCriticisedsTR5 boards and coolers add a lot to the total build price.
- MemoryPraised
Questions and answers
- Which is better for video editing?
- The Threadripper 7960X. Its higher clocks, newer cores and PCIe 5.0 storage make it much faster for 4K and 8K editing. The Xeon is only worth it on a tight budget with an existing board.
- Which is better for a home server?
- The Xeon E5-2697 v4. It draws 145 W, uses cheap DDR4 ECC and 18 cores are plenty for VMs and media serving. The Threadripper's 350 W draw and platform cost are hard to justify there.
- Is the Threadripper worth the extra money?
- For new builds, yes. You get roughly twice the per-core performance, DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. The Xeon only wins on price if you already own LGA2011-3 parts.
- Which lasts longer?
- The Threadripper. It is a 2023 platform with current firmware and warranty support. LGA2011-3 boards and Xeon v4 chips are used parts with limited support.
- Do either have integrated graphics?
- No. Both need a discrete graphics card.
- What cooler does the Threadripper need?
- A sTR5 cooler rated for at least 350 W. Most standard desktop coolers do not fit the larger sTR5 mounting.
More comparisons
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- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX Processor vs Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4 Processor