AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X vs Intel Xeon W-2195 Comparison

The recorded benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture when comparing the Intel Xeon W-2195 and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X. The AMD part wins every single head-to-head test in the database, making the competitive landscape straightforward to analyze, even if the underlying reasons require a closer look at the architecture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is the total dominance of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X across all six Cinebench tests. The margin of victory is remarkably consistent, hovering around 5% in every workload. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 2523 against the Xeon's 2401, a delta of -4.8%. The single-core test in the same suite tells a similar story, with the AMD chip winning 356 to 338, a -5.1% difference.

This pattern does not change when moving to newer benchmark versions. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the Threadripper at 10516 versus the Xeon's 10007, again a -4.8% gap. The single-core R20 result is 1484 for AMD and 1412 for Intel, a -4.9% difference. The most recent Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: 25040 for the Threadripper against 23828 for the Xeon in multi-core, and 3535 against 3363 in single-core, both representing -4.8% and -4.9% deltas respectively.

The consistency of these margins is noteworthy. A 4.8% to 5.1% difference in every test suggests that the AMD processor's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental performance lead across the board. The data shows the Threadripper 2950X outperforms the Xeon W-2195 by roughly 5% in every measured scenario, whether the task scales with core count or relies on a single thread. The benchmark results indicate that despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip's higher clock speeds and architectural efficiency allow it to consistently pull ahead.

The average benchmark score in the database further supports this, though it also places both processors in a similar overall tier. The Xeon W-2195 has an average score of 6892, placing it in the 63rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-3470, scores 6906, a delta of -0.2%, which means the Xeon's average is essentially on par with that older mainstream chip. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, with an average score of 6647, sits in the 62nd percentile. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-9940X at 6657, a -0.1% difference, showing that the Threadripper's average is also statistically tied to that high-end Intel part. The head-to-head Cinebench results, however, show a decisive edge for AMD that the average scores obscure.

The Verdict

From the data, the choice is clear for anyone prioritizing raw benchmark performance. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X is the faster processor in every test recorded. For a user whose primary concern is maximum Cinebench throughput, the data points squarely at the AMD part. It is ahead by 4.8% to 5.1% in all scenarios, and this advantage is uniform across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

The Intel Xeon W-2195, while losing every head-to-head comparison, still posts competitive scores. Its performance is within 5% of the Threadripper, which is a significant achievement given its lower clock speeds and different architecture. However, the data does not reveal a single test where the Intel part wins. Therefore, from a purely performance-based perspective, there is no benchmark-driven reason to select the Xeon W-2195 over the Threadripper 2950X.

The different market segments, however, suggest that the choice may not be solely about performance. The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation part, while the Threadripper is a Desktop processor. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature not present on the Threadripper. The data shows the Threadripper wins on performance, but the Xeon's feature set points to a different intended use case. A user needing ECC memory support, which is common in certain workstation and server environments, would be forced to consider the Xeon despite its performance deficit.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon W-2195 is based on the Skylake architecture and is built on a 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry. Its die size is a monolithic 484 mm². The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, in contrast, uses the Zen+ architecture, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. Its physical design is a multi-chip module, with a die size listed as 2x 213 mm², and it contains 9,600 million transistors.

The core configurations also differ significantly. The Xeon has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Threadripper has 16 cores and 32 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part achieves higher performance, which can be attributed to its higher clock speeds. The Xeon's base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Threadripper has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The higher base clock of the AMD chip is particularly notable, as it suggests a higher sustained performance level under load.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Xeon has a smaller L1 cache at 64 KB per core, but a larger L2 cache at 1 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 24.75 MB. The Threadripper has a larger L1 cache at 96 KB per core, a smaller L2 cache at 512 KB per core, and a larger shared L3 cache of 32 MB. The total L3 cache advantage for the Threadripper is substantial, which can help with data-heavy workloads.

The memory controllers are similar in channel count, with both supporting quad-channel DDR4 memory. However, the AMD part has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 93.9 GB/s compared to the Intel's 85.3 GB/s. PCIe support also differs, with the Threadripper offering 60 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon provides 48 Gen 3 lanes.

Specification Differences

The recorded data highlights several key specification differences between the two processors. The most obvious is the core and thread count, where the Intel Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. Clock speeds are another major difference: the Xeon runs at a 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, while the Threadripper runs at a 3.50 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost.

Thermal design power is a significant point of divergence. The Xeon has a TDP of 140 watts, while the Threadripper has a TDP of 180 watts. This indicates the AMD chip draws more power and likely requires a more robust cooling solution. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066, while the Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2.

The process node and foundry are different, with the Xeon using a 14 nm process from Intel and the Threadripper using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Xeon has a monolithic die of 484 mm², while the Threadripper uses two dies totaling 2x 213 mm². Memory support is another differentiator: both support DDR4, but the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Threadripper does not. The Threadripper has more PCIe lanes at 60, compared to the Xeon's 48.

The market segment and production status also differ. The Xeon is a Server/Workstation part that has reached its End-of-life production status. The Threadripper is a Desktop part and is still in Active production. The Threadripper also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the Xeon does not. The release dates are about a year apart, with the Xeon released on August 28, 2017, and the Threadripper on August 30, 2018.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon W-2195's boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X scores 25040, while the Intel Xeon W-2195 scores 23828. This results in a -4.8% delta, meaning the AMD processor is 4.8% faster.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2195 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon W-2195 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 has a TDP of 140 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has a TDP of 180 watts.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X has 60 Gen 3 PCIe lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Xeon W-2195 has 48 Gen 3 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X wins in all six recorded tests. This includes both multi-core and single-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The performance advantage is consistent, ranging from 4.8% to 5.1% in favor of AMD. Therefore, for any application that relies on CPU rendering or computation, the data indicates the Threadripper is the better choice.

The Intel Xeon W-2195 does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. However, it has features that may be decisive for certain users. Its support for ECC memory is a significant advantage for workstations requiring error correction for data integrity. Its classification as a Server/Workstation part and its lower TDP of 140 watts, compared to the Threadripper's 180 watts, might make it a more suitable option for specific system builds where power draw is a primary constraint. The Xeon also has more cores, which could theoretically benefit workloads not represented in the tested benchmarks, although the recorded data does not show this advantage in any Cinebench test.