Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon E5-2696 v4

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon E5-2696 v4 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

12 / 24

25,148

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2696 v4

22 / 44

24,938

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon E5-2696 v4 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon E5-2696 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 55 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $649 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2696 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌20% higher power demand at 180W vs 150W.

Xeon E5-2696 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+71.9% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Draws 150W instead of 180W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2920X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,938 vs 25,148).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2920X better than Xeon E5-2696 v4?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the better buy right now. Ryzen Threadripper 2920X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $649 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 22/44. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon E5-2696 v4 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: SP3r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 25,148 points. Launch price was $649.

Xeon E5-2696 v4

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 55 MB. L2 cache: 5.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,938 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-2696 v4 offers 22 cores / 44 threads — the Xeon E5-2696 v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X scores 25,148 against the Xeon E5-2696 v4's 24,938 — a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs 55 MB on the Xeon E5-2696 v4.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2920X	Xeon E5-2696 v4
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	22 / 44+83%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+59%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB	55 MB+72%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+9209%	5.5 MB
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	ZEN+ (2018−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	25,148	24,938

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the SP3r2 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses FCLGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.