AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X vs Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X is a 24-core (48-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2019 with a suggested retail price of $1,399. It is part of AMD's Ryzen Threadripper lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The Threadripper 3960X is compatible with AMD Socket TRX4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X supports DDR4 memory and features a quad-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 4 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen Threadripper 3960X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 128 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X features 24 total cores which can process 48 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.8 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.5 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen Threadripper 3960X does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

The Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the server CPU market. It launched in Q2 2014 with a suggested retail price of $250. It is part of Intel's Xeon E3 lineup, which is based on the Haswell-WS microarchitecture. The E3-1231 v3 is compatible with Intel Socket 1150 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Xeon E3-1231 v3 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.4 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.8 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Xeon E3-1231 v3 has the 330th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 791 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 24.43% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. Its 9,349 score and $250 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 37.4. This is the 108th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.