Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon Gold 6254

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon Gold 6254 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

32 / 64

31,945

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

Xeon Gold 6254

18 / 36

32,334

+1.2%

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 Gold 6254 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 Gold 6254: 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: +20.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6254 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 250W vs 200W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6254

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 200W instead of 250W, a 50W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,000 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX better than Xeon Gold 6254?

Yes. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 58.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 20.1% 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 58.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 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 $1,799 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6254 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon Gold 6254 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 Gold 6254

The Xeon Gold 6254 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 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 18 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 32,334 points. Launch price was $3,803.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6254 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6254 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6254 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX scores 31,945 against the Xeon Gold 6254's 32,334 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6254. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 33,213 vs 21,000 (45.1% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,206 vs 1,365, a 12.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6254 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,612 vs 10,950 (36% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6254). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6254.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+78%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	64 MB+159%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+2744%	18 MB
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	31,945	32,334+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	33,213+58%	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,206	1,365+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,612	10,950+44%

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6254 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6254). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6254) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6254).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
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	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+33%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6254 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6254). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation, Xeon Gold 6254 targets Enterprise Server / Database. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE; Xeon Gold 6254 rivals EPYC 7302.