Ryzen Z2
VS
Xeon W-2125

Ryzen Z2 vs Xeon W-2125

AMD

Ryzen Z2

8 Cores16 Thrd8 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025
VS
Intel

Xeon W-2125

4 Cores8 Thrd120 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Ryzen Z2 is positioned at rank 115 and the Xeon W-2125 is on rank 590, so the Ryzen Z2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen Z2

#31
Ryzen 5 230
MSRP: $200|Avg: $190
100%
#103
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
290%
#104
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
286%
#105
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
263%
#106
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
261%
#107
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
259%
#109
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
250%
#110
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
240%
#111
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
239%
#112
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
233%
#115
Ryzen Z2
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#126
Celeron N4000
MSRP: $107|Avg: $30
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-2125

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
9228%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
1742%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
1548%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1196%
#354
EPYC 7502P
MSRP: $2300|Avg: $1299
99%
#355
Xeon w7-3455
MSRP: $2489|Avg: $2625
98%
#356
EPYC 9334
MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1810
97%
#357
Xeon w9-3575X
MSRP: $3789|Avg: $675
97%
#358
Xeon w7-3465X
MSRP: $2889|Avg: $468
96%
#359
Xeon Gold 6530
MSRP: $2128|Avg: $1846
96%
#359
EPYC 9354
MSRP: $3420|Avg: $2498
96%
#361
Xeon Silver 4114
MSRP: $612|Avg: $30
95%
#590
Xeon W-2125
MSRP: $444|Avg: $42
100%
#592
EPYC 7261
MSRP: $501|Avg: $8
99%
#594
Xeon E5-1620 v2
MSRP: $294|Avg: $50
99%
#605
Xeon E3-1270 v3
MSRP: $339|Avg: $410
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen Z2 (2025) utilizes 4 nm technology and DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightRyzen Z2Xeon W-2125
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($42)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) / 4 nm)
✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon W-2125 (2017) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightRyzen Z2Xeon W-2125
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($42)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Z2 and Xeon W-2125

AMD

Ryzen Z2

The Ryzen Z2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,106 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon W-2125

The Xeon W-2125 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,000 points. Launch price was $444.

Processing Power

The Ryzen Z2 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-2125 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Ryzen Z2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2125 — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Ryzen Z2 uses the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon W-2125 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Z2 scores 10,106 against the Xeon W-2125's 10,000 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen Z2. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen Z2 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2125.

FeatureRyzen Z2Xeon W-2125
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz+13%
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
4 GHz+21%
L3 Cache
16 MB+94%
8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache
8 MB+700%
1 MB (per core)
Process
4 nm-71%
14 nm
Architecture
Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025)
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
10,106+1%
10,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Z2 uses the FP7/FP7r2/FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-2125 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen Z2Xeon W-2125
Socket
FP7/FP7r2/FP8
LGA2066
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
512 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
48
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen Z2) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-2125). Primary use case: Xeon W-2125 targets Workstation.

FeatureRyzen Z2Xeon W-2125
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Workstation