Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8260M

CPU

GPU

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

12 Cores24 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Threadripper Pro family

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Xeon Platinum 8260M

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2019

Similar parts

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Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8260M Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

12 / 24

33,455

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen 9 9950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Xeon Platinum 8260M

24 / 48

33,970

+1.5%

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 PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8260M 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 PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8260M: 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 PRO 3945WX

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $6,556 less on MSRP ($1,149 MSRP vs $7,705 MSRP).
✅Delivers 560.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.1 vs 4.4 PassMark/$ ($1,149 MSRP vs $7,705 MSRP).
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,500 vs 30,500).
❌69.7% higher power demand at 280W vs 165W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Platinum 8260M

2019

Why buy it

✅+64.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 165W instead of 280W, a 115W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.4 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($7,705 MSRP vs $1,149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX better than Xeon Platinum 8260M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is ahead with a 16.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8260M pulls ahead with 64.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX also has the bigger cache pool with 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8260M is the stronger fit. You are getting 64.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the better buy right now. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX comes in $6,556 cheaper on MSRP at $1,149 MSRP versus $7,705 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8260M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 64.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 560.4% better value on MSRP (29.1 vs 4.4 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 3945WX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and 79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8260M Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 33,455 points. Launch price was $499.

Xeon Platinum 8260M

The Xeon Platinum 8260M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 33,970 points. Launch price was $7,705.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8260M offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8260M has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8260M — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX (base: 4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the Castle Peak (2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8260M uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 33,455 against the Xeon Platinum 8260M's 33,970 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8260M. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,500 vs 30,500 (49% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260M). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,652 vs 1,200, a 31.7% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,500 vs 10,491 (9.2% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8260M.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX	Xeon Platinum 8260M
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	24 / 48+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+10%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+67%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB+79%	35.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Castle Peak (2020)	Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
PassMark	33,455	33,970+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,500	30,500+65%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,652+38%	1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,500+10%	10,491

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the sWRX8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8260M uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8260M — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 2048 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8260M). PCIe lanes: 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8260M) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) and C621,C622,C624,C627,C628 (Xeon Platinum 8260M).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX	Xeon Platinum 8260M
Socket	sWRX8	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+9%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB	2048 GB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+167%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Platinum 8260M supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Platinum 8260M). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX targets Professional Workstation, Xeon Platinum 8260M targets Server (Memory Optimized). Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX rivals Xeon w5-2455X; Xeon Platinum 8260M rivals Xeon Platinum 8268.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX	Xeon Platinum 8260M
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Professional Workstation	Server (Memory Optimized)

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX was priced at $1149, while the Xeon Platinum 8260M came in at $7705. On launch pricing ($1149 vs $7705), Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX was $6556 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX delivers 29.1 pts/$ vs 4.4 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8260M — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX the 147.4% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX	Xeon Platinum 8260M
MSRP	$1149-85%	$7705
Performance per Dollar	29.1+561%	4.4
Release Date	2020	2019

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