Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8270

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

12 Cores24 Thrd280 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Threadripper Pro family
··
VS
Intel

Xeon Platinum 8270

26 Cores52 Thrd205 WWMax: 4 GHz2019

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Xeon Platinum 8270 Performance Spectrum

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 8270 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 8270: 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: +11.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
  • Costs $6,256 less on MSRP ($1,149 MSRP vs $7,405 MSRP).
  • Delivers 541.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.1 vs 4.5 PassMark/$ ($1,149 MSRP vs $7,405 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 32,000).
  • 36.6% higher power demand at 280W vs 205W.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Platinum 8270

2019

Why buy it

  • +73% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • Draws 205W instead of 280W, a 75W 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 4.5 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($7,405 MSRP vs $1,149 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX better than Xeon Platinum 8270?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is ahead with a 11.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8270 pulls ahead with 73% 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 8270 is the stronger fit. You are getting 73% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 26 cores and 52 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 $6,256 cheaper on MSRP at $1,149 MSRP versus $7,405 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8270 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 73% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 541.7% better value on MSRP (29.1 vs 4.5 PassMark/$), 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 8270 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Xeon Platinum 8270

The Xeon Platinum 8270 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 26 cores and 52 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 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): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 33,602 points. Launch price was $7,405.

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8270 offers 26 cores / 52 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8270 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8270 — a 7.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX (base: 4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the Castle Peak (2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8270 uses Cascade Lake-SP (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 33,455 against the Xeon Platinum 8270's 33,602 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8270. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,500 vs 32,000 (53.5% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8270). 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 11,000 (4.4% 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 8270.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3945WXXeon Platinum 8270
Cores / Threads
12 / 24
26 / 52+117%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+7%
4 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+48%
2.7 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
33,602
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
32,000+73%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,652+38%
1,200
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,500+5%
11,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the sWRX8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8270 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 8270 — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8270). PCIe lanes: 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8270) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8270).

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3945WXXeon Platinum 8270
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+100%
1024 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 8270 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 8270). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX targets Professional Workstation, Xeon Platinum 8270 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX rivals Xeon w5-2455X; Xeon Platinum 8270 rivals Xeon Platinum 8268.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3945WXXeon Platinum 8270
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Professional Workstation
Server / Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX was priced at $1149, while the Xeon Platinum 8270 came in at $7405. On launch pricing ($1149 vs $7405), Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX was $6256 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX delivers 29.1 pts/$ vs 4.5 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8270 — making the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX the 146.1% better value option.

FeatureRyzen Threadripper PRO 3945WXXeon Platinum 8270
MSRP
$1149-84%
$7405
Performance per Dollar
29.1+547%
4.5
Release Date
2020
2019

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