Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Xeon Gold 6246R

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Xeon Gold 6246R Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

24 / 48

30,954

+1.6%

Ryzen 5 6600U

Ryzen 7 5800H

Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 7900

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

Xeon Gold 6246R

16 / 32

30,468

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 2970WX vs Xeon Gold 6246R 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 2970WX vs Xeon Gold 6246R: 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 2970WX

2018

Why buy it

✅+81.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,240 vs 1,293).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,299 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6246R mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌22% higher power demand at 250W vs 205W.

Xeon Gold 6246R

2020

Why buy it

✅+4.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 205W instead of 250W, a 45W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (16,000 vs 29,045).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6246R better than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6246R is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX pulls ahead with 81.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX also has the bigger cache pool with 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 81.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6246R is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6246R comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,299 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 81.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6246R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Xeon Gold 6246R Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,954 points. Launch price was $1,299.

Xeon Gold 6246R

The Xeon Gold 6246R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,468 points. Launch price was $3,286.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6246R offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6246R — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX (base: 3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6246R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX scores 30,954 against the Xeon Gold 6246R's 30,468 — a 1.6% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 29,045 vs 16,000 (57.9% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,240 vs 1,293, a 4.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6246R that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,241 vs 9,848 (30.5% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6246R). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6246R.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX	Xeon Gold 6246R
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+50%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+2%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	64 MB+79%	35.75 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+3100%	16 MB
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	30,954+2%	30,468
Cinebench R23 Multi	29,045+82%	16,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,240	1,293+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,241	9,848+36%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6246R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6246R). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6246R) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) and Lewisburg (Xeon Gold 6246R).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX	Xeon Gold 6246R
Socket	TR4	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB+100%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+33%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6246R supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6246R). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation, Xeon Gold 6246R targets High-frequency Server / Financial. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X; Xeon Gold 6246R rivals EPYC 7302.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX	Xeon Gold 6246R
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation	High-frequency Server / Financial