Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon w5-2445

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Xeon w5-2445 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

32 / 64

31,945

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

Xeon w5-2445

10 / 20

32,213

+0.8%

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 w5-2445 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 w5-2445: 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

✅+114.3% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+143.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 26 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,206 vs 1,822).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon w5-2445 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌42.9% higher power demand at 250W vs 175W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon w5-2445 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-2445

2023

Why buy it

✅+51.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 175W instead of 250W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (26 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-2445 better than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w5-2445 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX pulls ahead with 114.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX also has the bigger cache pool with 143.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 26 MB).

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 114.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 143.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 26 MB).

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

Xeon w5-2445 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon w5-2445 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,799 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 114.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 w5-2445 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 2990WX vs Xeon w5-2445 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 w5-2445

The Xeon w5-2445 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 26.25 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 32,213 points. Launch price was $839.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon w5-2445 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 22 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-2445 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-2445 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon w5-2445 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX scores 31,945 against the Xeon w5-2445's 32,213 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon w5-2445. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 33,213 vs 15,500 (72.7% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,206 vs 1,822, a 40.7% lead for the Xeon w5-2445 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,612 vs 10,719 (33.9% advantage for the Xeon w5-2445). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs 26.25 MB on the Xeon w5-2445.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon w5-2445
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+220%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	64 MB+144%	26.25 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+25500%	2 MB (per core)
Process	12 nm	Intel 7 nm-42%
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,945	32,213
Cinebench R23 Multi	33,213+114%	15,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,206	1,822+51%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,612	10,719+41%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w5-2445 uses LGA4677 (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 w5-2445 — the Xeon w5-2445 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 2048 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 64 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) and W790 (Xeon w5-2445).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon w5-2445
Socket	TR4	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-4800+64%
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB	2048 GB
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64	64

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon w5-2445 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 w5-2445). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation, Xeon w5-2445 targets Professional Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE; Xeon w5-2445 rivals Threadripper 7945WX.