Ryzen Z1 vs Xeon W-1290T

Ryzen Z1 vs Xeon W-1290T Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Z1

6 / 12

18,406

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon W-1290T

10 / 20

18,409

0.0%

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 Z1 vs Xeon W-1290T 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 Z1 vs Xeon W-1290T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen Z1

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,406 vs 18,409).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1290T, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon W-1290T

2020

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $546 MSRP, while Ryzen Z1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Ryzen Z1 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z1 better than Xeon W-1290T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1290T makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen Z1 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1290T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen Z1 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-1290T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Z1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $546 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon W-1290T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. Xeon W-1290T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (33.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen Z1 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen Z1 vs Xeon W-1290T Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen Z1

The Ryzen Z1 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Maio 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix (Zen4) (2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,406 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon W-1290T

The Xeon W-1290T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 18,409 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Z1 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-1290T offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-1290T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen Z1 versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1290T — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z1 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Ryzen Z1 is built on the Phoenix (Zen4) (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Ryzen Z1 scores 18,406 against the Xeon W-1290T's 18,409 — a 0% lead for the Xeon W-1290T. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen Z1 vs 20 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1290T.

Feature	Ryzen Z1	Xeon W-1290T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+4%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+68%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	20 MB Intel® Smart Cache+25%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	4 nm-71%	14 nm
Architecture	Phoenix (Zen4) (2023)	—
PassMark	18,406	18,409

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Z1 uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1290T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.