Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon Gold 6142

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

12 Cores24 Thrd180 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2018
VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6142

16 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon Gold 6142 Performance Spectrum

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 Gold 6142 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 Gold 6142: 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

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +22.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+45.5% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 22 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (25,148 vs 25,490).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $649 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6142 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌20% higher power demand at 180W vs 150W.

Xeon Gold 6142

2017

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.4% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Draws 150W instead of 180W, a 30W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2920X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 32 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2920X better than Xeon Gold 6142?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is ahead with a 22.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6142 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper 2920X also has the bigger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 22 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6142 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 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 $649 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6142 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2017) and 45.5% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 22 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Xeon Gold 6142 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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+ (2018βˆ’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.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6142

The Xeon Gold 6142 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017βˆ’2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,490 points. Launch price was $2,946.

⚑

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6142 offers 16 cores / 32 threads β€” the Xeon Gold 6142 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6142 β€” a 15% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the ZEN+ (2018βˆ’2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6142 uses Skylake (server) (2017βˆ’2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X scores 25,148 against the Xeon Gold 6142's 25,490 β€” a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6142. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6142.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper 2920XXeon Gold 6142
Cores / Threads
12 / 24
16 / 32+33%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+16%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+35%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+45%
22 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+3100%
16 MB
Process
12 nm-14%
14 nm
Architecture
ZEN+ (2018βˆ’2019)
Skylake (server) (2017βˆ’2018)
PassMark
25,148
25,490+1%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the SP3r2 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6142 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper 2920XXeon Gold 6142
Socket
SP3r2
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
β€”
2666
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
768
RAM Channels
β€”
6
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
PCIe Lanes
β€”
48
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen Threadripper 2920X) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Gold 6142). Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6142 rivals EPYC 7451.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper 2920XXeon Gold 6142
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
IGPU Model
β€”
None
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
Yes
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x, VT-d