CPU Comparison
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Xeon W-2175
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Intel Xeon W-2175
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Xeon W-2175 posts an average benchmark score of 5770, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X scores 5730. The delta between them is just 0.7% in favor of the Intel part, placing both at the 61st percentile among all CPUs.
Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-threaded Cinebench R23 performance?
A: The Threadripper 2920X scores 21380 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 6.7% ahead of the Xeon W-2175’s 19951. The same 6.7% margin repeats across R15 and R20 multi-core tests, with the AMD part leading each time.
Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark category?
A: No. Across the six head-to-head Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core), the Threadripper 2920X wins all six. The Xeon W-2175’s closest margin is 6.7% in every multi-core test, while single-core gaps range from 6.7% to 6.9%.
Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?
A: The Intel Xeon W-2175 has 14 cores and 28 threads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part delivers higher scores in every benchmark listed.
Q: Which chip has a higher base clock speed?
A: The Threadripper 2920X runs at a 3.50 GHz base clock, compared to 2.50 GHz for the Xeon W-2175. Both processors boost to 4.30 GHz, so the AMD chip’s higher base frequency is the notable differentiator.
Q: Are both processors still in production?
A: No. The Intel Xeon W-2175 is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is listed as active production. The Xeon W-2175 launched in October 2017, and the Threadripper 2920X launched in October 2018.
The Verdict
The data points to a clear winner for raw compute performance: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X outpaces the Intel Xeon W-2175 in every single benchmark recorded. The margins are consistent, roughly 6.7% across multi-core tests and up to 6.9% in single-core tests. If the decision hinges purely on benchmark scores, the Threadripper 2920X is the pick.
However, context matters. The Xeon W-2175 targets the server/workstation segment with ECC memory support and a 140 W TDP, while the Threadripper 2920X is a desktop part with a 180 W TDP and no ECC support. The Xeon also offers 14 cores versus 12, yet still trails in multi-threaded workloads. That suggests the AMD architecture extracts more useful work per core in these Cinebench loads.
For buyers constrained to the Intel workstation ecosystem, the Xeon W-2175 remains a competent choice, but it is end-of-life and loses every head-to-head test. For users prioritizing performance, the Threadripper 2920X is the better option, especially given it is still active and features an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $1947, while the Threadripper’s launch MSRP is $649.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X sweeps the entire benchmark suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 2154 against the Xeon W-2175’s 2010, a 6.7% advantage. Single-core R15 shows a slightly larger gap: 304 versus 283, which is 6.9% in favor of AMD.
Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Threadripper 2920X posts 8979 in multi-core, beating the Xeon’s 8379 by 6.7%. In single-core R20, the AMD part scores 1267 against 1182, again a 6.7% margin. These are not isolated spikes; the consistency of the delta suggests a fundamental per-thread performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.
Cinebench R23 confirms the trend with the largest absolute numbers. The Threadripper 2920X reaches 21380 in multi-core, while the Xeon W-2175 manages 19951, a 6.7% lead for AMD. Single-core R23 shows 3018 versus 2816, also 6.7% ahead. The only deviation from the 6.7% figure is the R15 single-core test at 6.9%.
Notably, the Xeon W-2175 has two more cores and four more threads than the Threadripper 2920X, yet it loses every multi-core test. This indicates that the AMD Zen+ architecture delivers higher per-core throughput in these workloads. The Xeon’s average benchmark score of 5770 is actually higher than the Threadripper’s 5730, but that figure includes the Geekbench tests, which only the AMD part has recorded. The head-to-head Cinebench comparisons are unambiguous: AMD wins six out of six.
Specification Differences
The two processors diverge significantly on paper. The Intel Xeon W-2175 packs 14 cores and 28 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X offers 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ sharply: 2.50 GHz for Intel versus 3.50 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks match at 4.30 GHz.
Thermal design power favors Intel at 140 W, compared to 180 W for the AMD part. Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 2066, while AMD uses Socket SP3r2. The Xeon W-2175 is a server/workstation chip, whereas the Threadripper 2920X is a desktop processor.
Memory support shows another split. Both support DDR4 and use quad-channel memory buses, but the Xeon offers 85.3 GB/s bandwidth versus 93.9 GB/s for the Threadripper. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the AMD chip. PCIe lane counts also differ: the Xeon provides 48 lanes (Gen 3), while the Threadripper offers 60 lanes (Gen 3).
The Xeon W-2175 has a locked multiplier, while the Threadripper 2920X is multiplier-unlocked. Production status separates them further: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. Release dates are nearly a year apart, with Intel launching in October 2017 and AMD in October 2018. The launch MSRP differs by a wide margin: $1947 for Intel versus $649 for AMD.
Architecture Differences
The architectural divide is substantial. Intel’s Xeon W-2175 uses the Skylake-W architecture on a 14 nm process, fabricated by Intel. AMD’s Threadripper 2920X employs Zen+ architecture, codenamed Colfax, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The process node advantage (12 nm versus 14 nm) likely contributes to the AMD chip’s higher clock speeds and per-core efficiency.
Cache layouts differ markedly. The Xeon W-2175 allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 19.25 MB L3. The Threadripper 2920X provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a much larger 32 MB L3 cache. The AMD part’s larger L3 pool may help explain its performance lead in multi-threaded workloads despite fewer cores.
Die size and transistor counts tell a story of different design philosophies. The Xeon W-2175 has a monolithic die of 484 mm². The Threadripper 2920X uses two dies at 213 mm² each, totaling 426 mm², with 9,600 million transistors. Intel’s part does not list a transistor count in the data, but the larger single die suggests a different integration strategy.
Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 93.9 GB/s versus 85.3 GB/s, which aligns with the Threadripper’s higher performance in memory-sensitive benchmarks. The Xeon’s ECC support and 48 PCIe lanes target workstation reliability, while the Threadripper’s 60 PCIe lanes and unlocked multiplier cater to enthusiast desktop users. The Threadripper 2920X also lacks integrated graphics, as does the Xeon, but the AMD part’s desktop orientation is clear from its socket, market segment, and production status.