AMD Threadripper 9980X & 9970X: Unmatched Workstation Performance on Linux

Anu Joy

Published on November 5, 2025

Today marks the lifting of the review embargo on these cutting-edge desktop and workstation Zen 5 processors as the launch of the AMD Threadripper 9000 series approaches, with its official release scheduled for tomorrow. Big generational improvements and overall performance boosts, these new AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X/9980X CPUs provide on Linux, with an eye toward giving the greatest workstation performance in 2025.

Although the AMD Threadripper 9980X shares the same amazing 64-core, 128-thread specification as its predecessor, the 7980X. The AMD Threadripper 9970X reflects the 32 cores and 64 threads of the 7970X; the developments observed in these new Zen 5 Threadrippers are noteworthy. The fact that these new Threadripper 9000 series CPUs can simply replace TR5 Threadripper 7000 series machines already in use adds to the excitement.

AMD first disclosed the specifications of the Threadripper 9000 series in June, for those who may have missed it. These CPUs support ECC DDR5-6400 memory, a notable upgrade from the DDR5-4800 seen in the prior generation of AMD Threadripper CPUs, besides the improved Zen 5 cores, which greatly increase performance potential, especially for CPU-based artificial intelligence inferencing and other uses requiring high memory bandwidth.

The review kit AMD provided included 4 x 32GB DDR5-6400 ECC memory, a SilverStone AIO liquid cooling system, a motherboard ASUS Pro WS TRX50-SAGE WIFI, a AMD Threadripper 9970X, and a Threadripper 9980X. Given that the Threadripper 9000 ‘Shimada Peak’ series is meant to serve as drop-in replacements for current sTR5 platforms, with only a simple BIOS update. AMD Zen 5 processors have been on the market for some time now, and there is little reason for alarm from the Linux standpoint if you are either upgrading or considering a new Threadripper 9000 series desktop or workstation.

Furthermore, the AMD Threadripper 9000 series CPUs have been performing extraordinarily well on Linux. It mirrors the favorable experiences with the Ryzen AI 300 series, Ryzen 9000 series desktop processors, and AMD EPYC 4005 and EPYC 9005 series server processors.