AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 64-core

The Threadripper PRO 9985WX crushes our database with a 151,303 PassMark multi-thread score, the highest we've seen. 64 cores, 128 threads, and 256MB of L3 cache make it a workstation monster. Just be ready for a 350W power bill and no integrated graphics.

The multi-thread score of 151,303 is the headline here. It sits in the 100th percentile across multi-thread, AI, and platform metrics, meaning nothing else in our database touches it right now. The 8-channel DDR5 memory controller supports up to 2TB of ECC RAM, which is the kind of headroom that makes memory-bound workloads like large dataset processing or heavy virtualization feel almost leisurely. And with 256MB of L3 cache, you're keeping a lot of hot data close to the cores.

Single-thread at 4,481 is a standout for this class. The 5.4GHz boost helps with latency-sensitive tasks like CAD navigation or compiling single-threaded portions of code. The 350W TDP is the cost of admission, and it's the same whether you're idling or boosting. Efficiency scores 41.5 out of 100, which is the weakest area by a wide margin. This chip is a performance monster, but it drinks power like one too.

Against the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, the 9985WX is in a completely different weight class. The Intel chip is a strong desktop performer, but it can't touch 64 cores and 128 threads. The SMC EPYC 9555P is the more interesting comparison, since both are high-core-count AMD parts. The Threadripper PRO gives you the sTR5 platform with 8-channel memory and PCIe 5.0, while the EPYC leans more toward server deployments. The D&H Core i9 BX80673I99960X and the INGRAM MICRO Core i9 X-Series BX80673I97940X are older Intel HEDT parts that simply can't compete on core count or memory bandwidth. If you need maximum parallel throughput in a workstation form factor, the 9985WX is the clear pick.

At $8,296 to $8,478 USD across three US listings, this is not a casual purchase. But when you look at the price per core, you're paying roughly $130 per core for 64 cores of top-tier performance. Canadian buyers see CAD 11,500 to 11,600, which tracks with the exchange rate. For a workstation that replaces a small render farm or a rack of older servers, the math can work out fast. Just don't expect any bundled cooler at this price, AMD expects you to bring your own thermal solution.

The Threadripper PRO 9985WX posts a PassMark multi-thread score of 151,303. That's not just top of the charts, it's the kind of number that makes our database look like it needs a bigger chart. 64 cores, 128 threads, 256MB of L3 cache, and a 5.4GHz boost clock on the 4nm Shimada Peak die. If you're compiling code, running VMs, or doing heavy infrastructure work, this thing is basically a small server that happens to fit in a workstation.

Single-thread performance lands at 4,481 on PassMark, which puts it in the 96th percentile. That's a big deal for a 64-core chip. Most high-core-count CPUs sacrifice snappy single-core responsiveness for raw parallel throughput, but the 9985WX keeps both plates spinning. The trade-off is a 350W TDP and no integrated graphics, so budget for a serious cooler and a discrete GPU.

If your workload doesn't scale across dozens of cores, skip this. The efficiency score of 41.5 out of 100 is the weakest area, and a 350W TDP means your power bill will notice every render. Gamers and casual users should look elsewhere, the lack of integrated graphics means you're buying a GPU on top of an already expensive chip. And if you're on a budget, the $8,296 USD starting price is a hard stop. This is a tool for people who bill by the hour and need every core earning its keep.

The Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the fastest multi-threaded workstation CPU we've ever tested. The 151,303 PassMark score is absurd, and the fact that single-thread performance stays competitive makes it a rare all-rounder in the HEDT space. The 350W power draw and lack of integrated graphics are real trade-offs, but for compiling, VMs, and infrastructure work, this chip is in a league of its own. If your workload scales across cores, buy it and don't look back.