AMD EPYC 7402P vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7402P and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X are both 24-core, 48-thread Zen 2 processors, but the benchmark data shows they are built for entirely different purposes. The Threadripper 3960X wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the dataset, delivering a consistent 20.1% advantage across all Cinebench tests and even larger leads in Geekbench. However, the EPYC 7402P counters with server-grade features like eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, making it the clear choice for specific workstation and server workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X wins all eight head-to-head comparisons in the FACT PACK. The most striking pattern is the uniformity of the Cinebench results. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Threadripper 3960X beats the EPYC 7402P by exactly 20.1% in both single-core and multi-core tests. The scores tell the story: the Threadripper 3960X scores 4692 versus 3749 in R15 multi-core, 19553 versus 15621 in R20 multi-core, and 46557 versus 37195 in R23 multi-core. The single-core deltas are identical in percentage terms, with the Threadripper 3960X scoring 662 versus 529 in R15, 2760 versus 2205 in R20, and 6572 versus 5251 in R23.

The Geekbench results show an even wider gap. In Geekbench single-core, the Threadripper 3960X leads by 28.4%, scoring 1681 versus the EPYC 7402P’s 1204. The multi-core Geekbench gap is 21.4%, with scores of 13326 versus 10476. This suggests that the Threadripper 3960X’s advantage grows in workloads that favor higher clock speeds and lower latency, which is consistent with its 3.80 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock compared to the EPYC 7402P’s 2.80 GHz base and 3.35 GHz boost.

It is notably the EPYC 7402P has zero wins in the head-to-head dataset. The Threadripper 3960X is faster in every measured category, but the EPYC 7402P’s overall average benchmark score of 9529 is actually higher than the Threadripper 3960X’s 9284. This apparent contradiction is explained by the fact that the EPYC 7402P’s nearest rivals include chips like the Intel Core i7-7700HQ (9493, 0.4% delta) and Intel Core i5-1035G1 (9684, -1.6% delta), while the Threadripper 3960X sits near the Intel Xeon Platinum 8280M (9260, 0.3% delta) and Intel Core i7-1165G7 (9235, 0.5% delta). Both processors land in the 65th percentile of all CPUs, but the EPYC 7402P’s average is dragged up by its strong multi-threaded server performance relative to the broader CPU landscape.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is the faster processor. It wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison by a minimum of 20.1%, and its 28.4% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in the dataset. If raw compute speed is the only criterion, the Threadripper 3960X is the clear winner.

However, the EPYC 7402P has advantages that do not show up in these particular benchmarks. It supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, double the 102.4 GB/s of the Threadripper 3960X’s quad-channel setup. It also offers 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only) versus the Threadripper’s unspecified PCIe Gen 4 configuration, and it supports ECC memory while the Threadripper 3960X does not. The EPYC 7402P uses the AMD Socket SP3, which is designed for server platforms, while the Threadripper 3960X uses the TRX4 desktop socket.

The verdict comes down to workload. For users running memory-bandwidth-intensive applications, large virtualized environments, or tasks requiring ECC reliability, the EPYC 7402P’s platform features may outweigh its benchmark deficit. For users who prioritize raw single-threaded and multi-threaded speed in a desktop form factor, the Threadripper 3960X is the better choice. The data shows a 20.1% performance gap in Cinebench, but the EPYC 7402P’s memory subsystem and PCIe lane count are compelling counterarguments for server deployments.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Zen 2 architecture, 7 nm process node, and TSMC as the foundry. The core counts are identical at 24 cores and 48 threads, and both have 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is also the same at 128 MB shared. The key architectural differences lie in the physical implementation and platform integration.

The EPYC 7402P is built on the Rome codename and uses a single 74 mm² die with 3,800 million transistors. The Threadripper 3960X, codenamed Castle Peak, uses four 74 mm² dies for a total of 15,200 million transistors. This multi-die design likely contributes to the Threadripper’s higher clock speeds, as it can distribute heat across a larger physical area.

The L1 cache differs: the EPYC 7402P has 96 KB per core, while the Threadripper 3960X has 64 KB per core. This is a notable difference, though the benchmark data shows the Threadripper 3960X still wins in single-core tests despite having less L1 cache. The memory controller configuration is another major divergence. The EPYC 7402P uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Threadripper 3960X uses quad-channel with 102.4 GB/s. The EPYC 7402P also supports ECC memory, which the Threadripper 3960X does not.

The socket and platform differences are substantial. The EPYC 7402P uses AMD Socket SP3, which is a server socket, while the Threadripper 3960X uses AMD Socket TRX4, a high-end desktop socket. The EPYC 7402P has a locked multiplier, while the Threadripper 3960X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The EPYC 7402P’s PCIe configuration is listed as “Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only),” while the Threadripper 3960X simply lists “Gen 4” without a lane count. The TDP also differs significantly: 180W for the EPYC 7402P versus 280W for the Threadripper 3960X.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: Both have exactly 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Threadripper 3960X scores 46557 versus the EPYC 7402P’s 37195, a 20.1% advantage.

Q: Does the EPYC 7402P support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7402P supports ECC memory, while the Threadripper 3960X does not.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The EPYC 7402P has eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, double the Threadripper 3960X’s quad-channel 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Threadripper 3960X has a 4.50 GHz boost clock, compared to the EPYC 7402P’s 3.35 GHz.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the Threadripper 3960X has an unlocked multiplier, while the EPYC 7402P is locked.

Where Each One Wins

The Threadripper 3960X wins in every benchmark category in the head-to-head dataset. It is 20.1% faster in all Cinebench tests, 21.4% faster in Geekbench multi-core, and 28.4% faster in Geekbench single-core. This makes it the superior choice for any workload that is measured by these benchmarks, including 3D rendering, video encoding, and general productivity tasks that rely on high clock speeds.

The EPYC 7402P wins in platform features that are not directly measured by CPU benchmarks. Its eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth is a major advantage for memory-bound applications such as large database workloads, scientific computing, and virtualization. The 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only) provide far more expansion capability than the Threadripper 3960X’s unspecified PCIe Gen 4 configuration. ECC memory support is critical for mission-critical servers where data integrity is paramount. The EPYC 7402P also has a lower TDP of 180W versus 280W, which can be a significant factor in dense server deployments.

The datacenter-oriented EPYC 7402P uses the SP3 socket, which is designed for multi-socket server platforms, while the Threadripper 3960X’s TRX4 socket is for single-socket desktop systems. The EPYC 7402P’s market segment is listed as “Server/Workstation,” while the Threadripper 3960X is listed as “Desktop.” This distinction reinforces the intended use cases: the EPYC 7402P for rack-mounted servers and the Threadripper 3960X for high-end desktop workstations.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7402P | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.35 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 180W | 280W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | AMD Socket TRX4 |

| Codename | Rome | Castle Peak |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 15,200 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 4x 74 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2019-11-24 |

| Launch MSRP | $1280 | $1399 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | 100-000000048 | 100-000000010100-100000010WOF |