Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Xeon Silver 4514Y

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

24 Cores48 Thrd250 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2018
Threadripper family
··
VS
Intel

Xeon Silver 4514Y

16 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023
Similar parts
·······

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Xeon Silver 4514Y 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 2970WX vs Xeon Silver 4514Y 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 Silver 4514Y: 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

  • Better for gaming: +29.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $1,299 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4514Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 66.7% higher power demand at 250W vs 150W.
  • Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon Silver 4514Y moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Silver 4514Y

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 150W instead of 250W, a 100W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (80 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 29,045).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX better than Xeon Silver 4514Y?
Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 29.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 32% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 1.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 29.2% 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 2970WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 32% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is the better buy right now. Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 29.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Silver 4514Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of TR4, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Xeon Silver 4514Y Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon Silver 4514Y

The Xeon Silver 4514Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 30,621 points. Launch price was $780.

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon Silver 4514Y 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 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4514Y — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX (base: 3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4514Y uses Emerald Rapids (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX scores 30,954 against the Xeon Silver 4514Y's 30,621 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 29,045 vs 22,000 (27.6% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,240 vs 2,100, a 51.5% lead for the Xeon Silver 4514Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,241 vs 14,000 (63.6% advantage for the Xeon Silver 4514Y). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon Silver 4514Y.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper 2970WXXeon Silver 4514Y
Cores / Threads
24 / 48+50%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+24%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+50%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB+113%
30 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+25500%
2 MB (per core)
Process
12 nm
Intel 7 nm-42%
Architecture
Zen+ (2018−2019)
Emerald Rapids (2023)
PassMark
30,954+1%
30,621
Cinebench R23 Multi
29,045+32%
22,000
Geekbench 6 Single
1,240
2,100+69%
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,241
14,000+93%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Silver 4514Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX versus DDR5-4400 on the Xeon Silver 4514Y — the Xeon Silver 4514Y supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Silver 4514Y supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 2048 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) vs 8 (Xeon Silver 4514Y). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) vs 80 (Xeon Silver 4514Y) — the Xeon Silver 4514Y offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) and C741 (Xeon Silver 4514Y).

FeatureRyzen Threadripper 2970WXXeon Silver 4514Y
Socket
TR4
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR5-4400+50%
Max RAM Capacity
2048 GB
4096 GB+100%
RAM Channels
4
8+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
64
80+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Silver 4514Y 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 Silver 4514Y). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation, Xeon Silver 4514Y targets Mainstream Server / Virtualization. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X; Xeon Silver 4514Y rivals EPYC 8212.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper 2970WXXeon Silver 4514Y
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
Mainstream Server / Virtualization