AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X vs Intel Xeon W-2191B Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B wins 7 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins only 1. The sole AMD victory is in Geekbench single-core, where it edges ahead by 0.1%.

Q: How large is the Intel lead in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the Intel Xeon W-2191B leads by 1.9% each time. Its scores are 2407 versus 2362 in R15, 10032 versus 9844 in R20, and 23887 versus 23440 in R23.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The largest delta appears in Geekbench multi-core, where the Intel Xeon W-2191B scores 9614 versus the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X's 7989, a 20.3% advantage. This is far larger than the 1.9% or smaller gaps seen in all other tests.

Q: Do both processors share the same average benchmark percentile?

A: Yes, both sit at the 62nd percentile versus all CPUs in the database. However, their average benchmark scores differ: the Intel Xeon W-2191B averages 6531, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X averages 6231.

Q: Are the memory subsystems identical?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus and 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The key difference is ECC support: the Intel Xeon W-2191B supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X does not.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the AMD processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X had a launch MSRP of $999. The Intel Xeon W-2191B has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W-2191B is built on Intel's Skylake-W architecture using a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform and targets the server and workstation market segment. Its die measures 484 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses the Zen architecture, also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It uses AMD Socket SP3r2 and targets the desktop segment. Its die is composed of two 213 mm² dies, totaling 426 mm², and it packs 9,600 million transistors.

Core counts differ meaningfully. The Intel part offers 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD part provides 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Xeon W-2191B has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X starts higher at 3.40 GHz base but boosts lower at 4.00 GHz. The Intel chip has its multiplier locked, whereas the AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Intel Xeon W-2191B uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 24.75 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X uses 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. This means Intel has larger per-core L2, while AMD has larger L1 per core and a larger total L3 pool.

The Intel Xeon W-2191B supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the AMD part. It also provides PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD processor's PCIe configuration is not recorded in the database. The Intel chip's TDP is 140 watts, lower than the AMD chip's 180 watts. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern: the Intel Xeon W-2191B wins nearly every test, but by narrow margins in Cinebench workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2407 against AMD's 2362, a 1.9% lead. The single-core R15 result is similar, 339 versus 333, also a 1.8% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, Intel's multi-core score of 10032 beats AMD's 9844 by 1.9%, and the single-core test shows 1416 versus 1389, again 1.9%. Cinebench R23 follows the same script: Intel leads 23887 to 23440 in multi-core and 3372 to 3309 in single-core, both by 1.9%.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Xeon W-2191B scores 9614, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X scores 7989. That is a 20.3% advantage for Intel, the largest gap in the entire comparison. The Geekbench single-core test flips the outcome: AMD scores 1183 against Intel's 1182, a razor-thin 0.1% win for the AMD part.

These results indicate that in rendering-style workloads like Cinebench, the extra two cores and higher boost clock of the Intel chip translate into a small but consistent advantage. The much larger Geekbench multi-core gap suggests that the Intel architecture handles that particular workload far better, possibly due to memory latency, cache behavior, or scheduling differences. The single-core Geekbench result is effectively a tie, with both processors landing within one point of each other.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2191B | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X |

|----------------|-------------------|------------------------------|

| Cores | 18 | 16 |

| Threads | 36 | 32 |

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 180 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | AMD Socket SP3r2 |

| Architecture | Skylake-W | Zen |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die size | 484 mm² | 2x 213 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 9,600 million |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 96 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 512 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 24.75 MB shared | 32 MB |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2017-12-20 | 2017-08-09 |

| Part number | SR3RW | YD195XA8UGAAE |

Both processors share the same 14 nm process node, DDR4 memory support, quad-channel memory bus, and 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth. Neither has integrated graphics. The AMD part has a higher base clock and an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part has a higher boost clock, more cores, lower TDP, and ECC support.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2191B is the clear winner in multi-threaded productivity and rendering workloads. Its 1.9% lead in all three Cinebench multi-core tests, combined with a 20.3% advantage in Geekbench multi-core, makes it the stronger choice for heavily threaded tasks such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. The extra two cores and higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz contribute to this edge, as does its larger per-core L2 cache. The inclusion of ECC memory support and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes further positions this chip for workstation and server environments where data integrity and expandability matter. Its lower 140-watt TDP also means less heat generation under sustained loads compared to the AMD part.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X wins only one recorded benchmark: Geekbench single-core, by a 0.1% margin. That result is essentially a tie, but it does show that AMD's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz can keep it competitive in lightly threaded tasks despite the lower boost clock. The unlocked multiplier gives enthusiasts the freedom to overclock, which could narrow or reverse some multi-core gaps in practice. Its larger 32 MB L3 cache and 96 KB L1 per core might also benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads, though the recorded data does not show a clear win outside the single-core Geekbench test. The AMD part remains in active production, which may appeal to buyers looking for ongoing availability.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance in a workstation context, the Intel Xeon W-2191B is the better choice based on the recorded benchmarks. For users who value overclocking flexibility and a slightly higher stock base clock, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has its own appeal, though its benchmark wins are minimal. The data shows a decisive overall advantage for Intel, with 7 out of 8 head-to-head wins and a much larger margin in Geekbench multi-core.