AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Intel Xeon W-1290P Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins 6 out of 8 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Xeon W-1290P wins the remaining 2 tests. The AMD chip’s wins are concentrated in Cinebench workloads, while Intel takes both Geekbench results.

Q: How large is the AMD processor’s lead in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X leads by a consistent 12.5% over the Xeon W-1290P. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 21,380 versus Intel’s 19,008.

Q: Where does the Intel Xeon W-1290P show a clear advantage?

A: In Geekbench, the Intel chip leads decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the Xeon W-1290P scores 8,852 versus 7,473 for the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X, a 15.6% gap. In Geekbench single-core, Intel leads 1,703 to 1,266, a 25.7% margin.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has an average benchmark score of 5,730, placing it in the 61st percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon W-1290P averages 5,443, which is the 60th percentile. The AMD chip is about 5.3% higher in average score.

Q: Do the two processors have similar nearest rival groups?

A: No, their closest competitors differ. The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X sits near the AMD EPYC 7351 (0.4% delta), AMD EPYC 7F32 (0.5%), Intel Xeon W-2175 (-0.7%), and Intel Core i9-7920X (1.0%). The Xeon W-1290P is near the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920 (0.3%), AMD EPYC 7351P (-0.5%), Intel Core i9-13900TE (1.9%), and Intel Core i9-10900X (-2.0%).

Q: What are the launch MSRP values for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X had a launch MSRP of $649. The Intel Xeon W-1290P had a launch MSRP of $539.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the Zen+ architecture under the Colfax codename, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 9,600 million transistors across a dual-die design, with each die measuring 213 mm². The Intel Xeon W-1290P uses Comet Lake architecture with the same codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel. Its die size is 206 mm², and Intel does not disclose a transistor count in the database.

Core and cache layouts diverge sharply. The AMD part packs 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel part has 10 cores and 20 threads. Per-core cache allocations differ: AMD provides 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a 32 MB L3 cache. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a 20 MB shared L3. This means the AMD chip has 60% more L1 per core, double the L2 per core, and 60% more total L3 capacity.

Memory architecture is another major split. The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, yielding a memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s. The Xeon W-1290P supports dual-channel DDR4, with a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. That is a 100% difference in theoretical bandwidth, which can matter in bandwidth-sensitive workloads.

PCIe lane counts also differ substantially. The AMD processor provides 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel processor provides only 16 Gen 3 lanes. This makes the AMD chip far more expandable for multi-GPU or high-speed storage configurations.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the Intel Xeon W-1290P; the AMD chip does not list ECC support. The Intel chip also includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics listed. The Intel processor is socketed for Socket 1200, while AMD uses Socket SP3r2. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. Market segments also differ, with the AMD listed as Desktop and the Intel listed as Mobile, despite the Xeon branding.

Clock speeds and power ratings show a different design philosophy. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, with a 125 W TDP. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, with a 180 W TDP. Intel relies on higher clocks and lower power, while AMD uses more cores and more power budget.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between Cinebench and Geekbench results. In every Cinebench test, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins with a nearly uniform 12.5% to 12.6% margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2,154 versus Intel’s 1,915, a 12.5% delta. In R15 single-core, AMD posts 304 versus 270, a 12.6% lead. The R20 tests show the same pattern: multi-core 8,979 versus 7,983 (12.5%), single-core 1,267 versus 1,126 (12.5%). Cinebench R23 follows with multi-core 21,380 versus 19,008 (12.5%) and single-core 3,018 versus 2,683 (12.5%).

The consistency of these Cinebench deltas suggests a systematic advantage for the AMD architecture in this workload family. Despite having a lower boost clock (4.30 GHz versus 5.30 GHz), the additional two cores and four threads, combined with larger caches and quad-channel memory, appear to drive a steady 12.5% lead.

Geekbench flips the script entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Xeon W-1290P wins 8,852 to 7,473, a 15.6% margin in Intel’s favor. In Geekbench single-core, Intel wins 1,703 to 1,266, a 25.7% advantage. These are substantial wins, especially the single-core result, which likely reflects the Intel chip’s 5.30 GHz boost clock and newer microarchitecture optimizations.

The win count is 6 for AMD and 2 for Intel. However, the magnitude of Intel’s Geekbench wins is larger than any single AMD win. The AMD wins average around 12.5%, while Intel’s Geekbench multi-core win is 15.6% and the single-core win is 25.7%. This means the overall average benchmark score still favors AMD (5,730 versus 5,443), but the Intel chip is clearly superior in the Geekbench suite.

The Verdict

The data presents two distinct profiles. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, consistently beating the Intel Xeon W-1290P by 12.5% across all three Cinebench versions tested. It also offers far more memory bandwidth (93.9 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s), double the PCIe lanes (60 versus 16), and a higher core count (12 versus 10). For users prioritizing multi-threaded compute in rendering or simulation, the AMD chip is the clear winner based on recorded benchmarks.

The Intel Xeon W-1290P wins decisively in Geekbench, especially single-core, where it leads by 25.7%. Its higher boost clock (5.30 GHz), lower TDP (125 W versus 180 W), and ECC memory support make it attractive for single-threaded performance and reliability-sensitive applications. The Intel chip also includes integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks.

The database shows the AMD processor has a slightly higher average benchmark score (5,730 versus 5,443) and a higher percentile rank (61st versus 60th). However, the choice depends heavily on workload. Users running Cinebench-style rendering should pick the AMD. Users running Geekbench-style general-purpose tasks should pick the Intel. The AMD chip’s unlocked multiplier and larger cache pool suggest more headroom for overclocking, while the Intel chip’s locked multiplier and lower power draw suit constrained environments.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Intel Xeon W-1290P |

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

| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 10 / 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 180 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3r2 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen+ (Colfax) | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,600 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 2x 213 mm² | 206 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 93.9 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 60 lanes | Gen 3, 16 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $649 | $539 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X wins in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, across R15, R20, and R23. Its 12.5% consistent edge suggests a strong fit for rendering, 3D modeling, and video encoding workloads that rely on the Cinebench engine. The quad-channel memory bus and 32 MB L3 cache support this advantage. The chip also wins on raw core count, cache size, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane availability. For users building a workstation with multiple GPUs or high-speed NVMe arrays, the 60 PCIe lanes are a decisive factor.

The Intel Xeon W-1290P wins in both Geekbench tests. Its single-core lead of 25.7% indicates dominance in lightly-threaded applications such as spreadsheet work, web browsing, and legacy software that runs on one or two threads. The 5.30 GHz boost clock is the highest in this comparison. The Intel chip also wins on power efficiency, with a 125 W TDP versus 180 W, and offers ECC memory support for error-correcting workloads. Its integrated UHD Graphics P630 provides a built-in display output, which the AMD part cannot offer without a discrete GPU.

The overall win tally favors AMD at 6 to 2, but the nature of the wins matters. AMD’s wins are broad and consistent across a rendering benchmark family. Intel’s wins are narrower but larger in magnitude, particularly in single-core performance. Users should match the benchmark suite to their actual workload. The database records no wins for either chip in memory-sensitive tests, but the memory bandwidth difference (93.9 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s) implies AMD has the edge in data-heavy tasks.