AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X vs Intel Xeon W-2155 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data presents a clear outcome: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins every single head-to-head test against the Intel Xeon W-2155, with a uniform 12% margin across all six Cinebench workloads. The Threadripper takes 6 wins, the Xeon takes 0. This consistency is notable: single-core and multi-core tests show the same 12% delta, meaning the advantage is not tied to thread scaling but reflects a fundamental per-thread performance gap.

For workload selection, the data points to the Threadripper 1920X as the stronger choice for both lightly threaded and fully parallel tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19640 against 17538 for the Xeon translates to a 12% lead in rendering-style workloads, while its single-core R23 score of 2772 versus 2475 shows the same edge even when only one thread is active. The Xeon W-2155, with its 10 cores and 20 threads, cannot close the gap despite a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz compared to 4.00 GHz on the AMD part.

The Intel Xeon W-2155 does hold advantages in other recorded fields: it supports ECC memory (the Threadripper does not), carries a 140 W TDP against 180 W, and its production status is listed as end-of-life, whereas the Threadripper remains active. The Xeon also has a larger die size at 484 mm² versus the Threadripper's 2x 213 mm². However, for raw compute throughput as measured in this database, the Threadripper 1920X is the definitive winner. The Xeon's niche would be systems requiring ECC validation, but benchmark results show no performance compensation for that feature.

Architecture Differences

The two processors originate from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Zen, with a generation label of Ryzen Threadripper (Zen (Whitehaven)). It is built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a transistor count of 9,600 million spread across two dies, each measuring 213 mm². The Intel Xeon W-2155 uses the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-W, on Intel's own 14 nm process, with a single die of 484 mm². Intel does not list a transistor count for this part in the database.

Cache organization differs substantially. The Threadripper 1920X has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 32 MB L3 pool. The Xeon W-2155 carries 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 13.75 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger L3 (32 MB versus 13.75 MB) and higher core count (12 versus 10) contribute to its benchmark lead, while the Intel part's larger per-core L2 (1 MB versus 512 KB) does not offset the deficit in aggregate cache.

Socket and platform requirements differ completely. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2 and exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066 and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes. Memory support is identical in type (DDR4) and bus width (quad-channel), with the same listed bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, but ECC memory is only enabled on the Xeon. The Threadripper's multiplier is unlocked, while the Xeon's is locked. The AMD part is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop processor; the Intel part is a 10-core, 20-thread server/workstation processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins all 6 recorded head-to-head tests, with a 12% delta over the Intel Xeon W-2155 in every case. The Xeon records 0 wins.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2155 have any advantage in memory features?

A: Yes. The Xeon W-2155 supports ECC memory, while the Threadripper 1920X does not. Both use DDR4 with quad-channel memory bus and identical 85.3 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Threadripper 1920X has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Xeon W-2155 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD part has 2 more cores and 4 more threads.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Xeon W-2155 has a higher boost clock at 4.50 GHz, compared to 4.00 GHz for the Threadripper 1920X. Despite this, the Threadripper wins all single-core tests by 12%.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Threadripper 1920X is listed as active, while the Xeon W-2155 is end-of-life.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The Threadripper 1920X has an average benchmark score of 5306, placing it in the 60th percentile. The Xeon W-2155 has an average score of 5072, also in the 60th percentile.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database:

• Cores: 12 (AMD) versus 10 (Intel)
• Threads: 24 (AMD) versus 20 (Intel)
• Base clock: 3.50 GHz (AMD) versus 3.30 GHz (Intel)
• Boost clock: 4.00 GHz (AMD) versus 4.50 GHz (Intel)
• TDP: 180 W (AMD) versus 140 W (Intel)
• Socket: AMD Socket SP3r2 versus Intel Socket 2066
• Architecture: Zen versus Skylake
• Codename: Zen versus Skylake-W
• Generation: Ryzen Threadripper (Zen (Whitehaven)) versus Xeon W (Skylake-W)
• Foundry: GlobalFoundries versus Intel
• Transistors: 9,600 million versus not listed
• Die size: 2x 213 mm² versus 484 mm²
• L1 cache: 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core
• L2 cache: 512 KB per core versus 1 MB per core
• L3 cache: 32 MB versus 13.75 MB (shared)
• ECC memory: false versus true
• PCIe lanes: 60 versus 48 (both Gen 3, CPU only)
• Market segment: Desktop versus Server/Workstation
• Production status: Active versus End-of-life
• Release date: 2017-08-09 versus 2017-08-28
• Multiplier unlocked: true versus false
• Part number: YD192XA8UC9AE versus SR3LR
• Average benchmark score: 5306 versus 5072

Fields that are identical include process node (14 nm), memory support (DDR4), memory bus (quad-channel), memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s), and absence of integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the pattern is unbroken: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X wins every test by exactly 12%. This uniform delta is striking because it spans different Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) and both multi-core and single-core modes.

Multi-core results: In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 1979 against 1767 for the Xeon, a 12% lead. In R20 multi-core, the gap is 8248 versus 7365, again 12%. In R23 multi-core, the scores are 19640 versus 17538, still 12%. The consistent percentage suggests that the Threadripper's 12-core, 24-thread configuration scales proportionally against the Xeon's 10-core, 20-thread design, with no diminishing returns at higher thread counts.

Single-core results: The Threadripper also wins single-core tests by 12%. In R15 single-core, 279 versus 249. In R20 single-core, 1164 versus 1039. In R23 single-core, 2772 versus 2475. This is the more surprising outcome because the Xeon has a higher boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 4.00 GHz). The database shows that clock advantage does not translate into a benchmark win; the Zen architecture's per-core efficiency overcomes the 0.50 GHz deficit.

Nearest rivals context: The Threadripper 1920X's average score of 5306 places it within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-9900X (5301), 0.2% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7281 (5315, where a negative delta means the rival is faster), and 0.7% behind the Intel Core i9-13900TE (5342). The Xeon W-2155's average of 5072 sits level with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE (5070), 0.4% behind the Intel Core i9-12900TE (5050), and 0.4% behind the Intel Core i9-9820X (5049). The 4.6% average score gap between the two reviewed CPUs (5306 versus 5072) is consistent with the 12% head-to-head deltas, given that the average includes other workloads.

Breakdown by test version: The delta is identical across R15, R20, and R23. Older and newer Cinebench versions agree, indicating the performance relationship is stable across benchmarking generations. No test shows the Xeon closing the gap, and no test shows the Threadripper extending its lead beyond 12%. This uniformity makes the result easy to interpret: the Threadripper 1920X is categorically faster in this comparison, and the Xeon W-2155's higher boost clock and lower TDP do not alter that outcome.