CPU
GPU
Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Xeon Gold 6242
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6242
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Xeon Gold 6242 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($452) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (ZEN+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) | ✨ Modern (Cascade Lake (2019−2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Xeon Gold 6242 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($452) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 2920X and Xeon Gold 6242
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 Gold 6242
The Xeon Gold 6242 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 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: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 24,994 points. Launch price was $2,529.
Processing Power
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6242 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6242 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6242 — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6242 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X scores 25,148 against the Xeon Gold 6242's 24,994 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6242.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Xeon Gold 6242 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 16 / 32+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+10% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+25% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB+45% | 22 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 16 MB+3100% |
| Process | 12 nm-14% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | ZEN+ (2018−2019) | Cascade Lake (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 25,148 | 24,994 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the SP3r2 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6242 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Xeon Gold 6242 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP3r2 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Ryzen Threadripper 2920X and Xeon Gold 6242
