Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon E-2488

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon E-2488 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

32 / 64

31,945

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

Xeon E-2488

8 / 16

31,888

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 2990WX vs Xeon E-2488 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 2990WX vs Xeon E-2488: 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 2990WX

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon E-2488 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌163.2% higher power demand at 250W vs 95W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon E-2488 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Xeon E-2488

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 250W, a 155W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX better than Xeon E-2488?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 121.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.2% 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 2990WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.3% 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 2990WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 121.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the better buy right now. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,799 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E-2488 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of TR4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon E-2488 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 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: 31,945 points. Launch price was $1,799.

Xeon E-2488

The Xeon E-2488 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 31,888 points. Launch price was $606.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon E-2488 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 5.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2488 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2488 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E-2488 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX scores 31,945 against the Xeon E-2488's 31,888 — a 0.2% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 33,213 vs 15,000 (75.6% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,206 vs 2,100, a 54.1% lead for the Xeon E-2488 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,612 vs 12,000 (44.7% advantage for the Xeon E-2488). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2488.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+300%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	5.6 GHz+33%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	64 MB+167%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	12 nm	Intel 7 nm-42%
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,945	31,888
Cinebench R23 Multi	33,213+121%	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,206	2,100+74%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,612	12,000+58%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2488 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon E-2488 — the Xeon E-2488 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 2 (Xeon E-2488). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 20 (Xeon E-2488) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) and W680 (Xeon E-2488).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
Socket	TR4	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-4800+64%
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB+1500%	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+220%	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E-2488). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation, Xeon E-2488 targets Entry-level Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE; Xeon E-2488 rivals Xeon E-2388G.