Is the 9985WX much faster than the 7985WX?

On paper the gap is modest: same 64 cores, same 350W TDP, boost up to 5.4 GHz versus 5.1 GHz. The bigger gains come from Zen 5 per-core work plus official 6400 MT/s memory support.

Do both use the same motherboard?

Yes. Both are sTR5 chips, so they fit the same Threadripper PRO workstation boards. A BIOS update may be needed for the newer 9985WX on older boards.

Which is better for rendering and simulation?

Both give you 64 cores and 128 threads, so heavily multithreaded jobs land close. The 9985WX pulls ahead in workloads that also depend on per-core speed and memory bandwidth.

Is the 9985WX worth the extra money?

Only if the price gap is small relative to your build. At around $7,799 to $7,900 for the 9985WX, a much cheaper 7985WX is the better value for pure core-count work.

Do I need a GPU with either chip?

Yes. Neither has integrated graphics, so plan on a discrete GPU for display output.

How much cooling do these need?

Both are 350W parts. Use a Threadripper-class air or liquid cooler rated for that load, and a power supply with headroom for the CPU plus your GPUs.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Both are 64-core, 128-thread sTR5 workstation chips with 350W TDP and PCIe 5.0. The 9985WX is the newer Zen 5 part with a higher 5.4 GHz boost and up to 6400 MT/s RDIMM support; the 7985WX is the older Zen 4 generation at 5.1 GHz. The 9985WX has been listed from $7,799.00 to $7,899.99 since November 3, 2026; no current price was given for the 7985WX. Buy the 9985WX for a new build where per-core speed and memory bandwidth matter; pick the 7985WX only if you find it meaningfully cheaper for the same 64 cores.

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