Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon Platinum 8168

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon Platinum 8168 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

32 / 64

31,945

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

Xeon Platinum 8168

24 / 48

32,373

+1.3%

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 Platinum 8168 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 Platinum 8168: 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: +17.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (31,945 vs 32,373).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon Platinum 8168 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌22% higher power demand at 250W vs 205W.

Xeon Platinum 8168

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 205W instead of 250W, a 45W 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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX better than Xeon Platinum 8168?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is ahead with a 17.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8168 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX also has the bigger cache pool with 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8168 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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 $1,799 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8168 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon Platinum 8168 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 Platinum 8168

The Xeon Platinum 8168 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 32,373 points. Launch price was $5,890.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8168 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8168 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX (base: 3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8168 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX scores 31,945 against the Xeon Platinum 8168's 32,373 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8168. L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8168.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Platinum 8168
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+33%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+11%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB+94%	33 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+2033%	24 MB
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	31,945	32,373+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	33,213	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,206	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,612	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8168 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8168 — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX supports 10% 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 768 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8168). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8168) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8168).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Platinum 8168
Socket	TR4	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933+10%	2666
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB+167%	768 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 Platinum 8168 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8168). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE; Xeon Platinum 8168 rivals EPYC 7501.