AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX vs Intel Xeon W-2191B Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a clear split decision between these two high-core-count processors. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins 7 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B claims a single, albeit substantial, victory. For users prioritizing heavily threaded rendering workloads, the Threadripper 2970WX is the stronger choice based on the aggregate Cinebench results. It leads in every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 test, multicore and singlecore alike, by margins ranging from 9.2% to 9.4%. The Xeon W-2191B, however, demonstrates a commanding lead in Geekbench multicore, scoring 33.6% higher than its AMD rival, making it the better option for workloads that mirror that specific benchmark's characteristics.

The average benchmark score further favors the AMD processor. The Threadripper 2970WX posts an average score of 6760, while the Xeon W-2191B averages 6531. Both chips sit at the 62nd percentile against all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy a similar tier of overall performance. The Threadripper's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-12700E, Xeon Gold 6154, Xeon D-2775TE, and Xeon Gold 5317, with score deltas of -0.2%, -0.6%, 0.7%, and 0.7% respectively. The Xeon W-2191B's closest competitors are the Core i9-7960X, Xeon D-2796TE, Atom x7405C, and Core i5-13500E, with deltas of 0%, 0.3%, -0.6%, and -0.8%. This data positions the AMD part marginally higher in aggregate performance, but the Intel part is not far behind.

The production status differs significantly. The Xeon W-2191B is end-of-life, whereas the Threadripper 2970WX remains active. This is a relevant consideration for long-term system planning and availability. The Intel processor is a server and workstation part, while the AMD chip is classified as a desktop processor, which may influence platform choices. The Threadripper 2970WX also carries a launch MSRP of $1299, a detail provided in the database without further pricing analysis.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing backgrounds. The Intel Xeon W-2191B is built on Intel's 14 nm process node and uses the Skylake-W architecture, a derivative of the Skylake design. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, by contrast, uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Colfax, and is manufactured on a 12 nm node by GlobalFoundries. This process advantage gives the AMD chip a smaller transistor lithography, though the Intel part counters with a monolithic die of 484 mm², while the AMD chip uses a multi-die configuration of 4x 213 mm².

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Xeon W-2191B offers 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Threadripper 2970WX provides 24 cores and 48 threads. This 33% core advantage for the AMD part is a primary driver behind its higher multi-threaded Cinebench scores. The cache hierarchies also diverge. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD allocates a larger 96 KB L1 per core, but a smaller 512 KB L2 per core, and a substantially larger 64 MB of L3 cache. The larger L3 on the Threadripper likely contributes to its single-threaded performance edge.

Memory support is similar in channel count, with both using quad-channel DDR4. However, the AMD part has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s compared to the Intel's 85.3 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on the Intel Xeon W-2191B, which is a key workstation feature, while the AMD Threadripper 2970WX does not support ECC memory according to the database. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the Intel chip providing Gen 3, 48 lanes (CPU only), and the AMD chip providing Gen 3, 60 lanes (CPU only). This gives the AMD platform more expansion capacity for multi-GPU or storage configurations.

Clock speeds are close. The Intel part has a 2.30 GHz base clock and a 4.30 GHz boost clock. The AMD part has a higher 3.00 GHz base clock but a slightly lower 4.20 GHz boost clock. The higher boost clock on the Intel chip does not translate to a single-threaded win in the recorded benchmarks. The Xeon W-2191B has a locked multiplier, while the Threadripper 2970WX is multiplier unlocked, allowing for user overclocking. The TDP ratings are significantly different, with the Intel chip drawing 140 watts and the AMD chip drawing 250 watts, reflecting the higher core count and clocks of the latter.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B has 18 cores and 36 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Threadripper 2970WX scores 26305 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 9.2% higher than the Xeon W-2191B's score of 23887.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2191B win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon W-2191B wins the Geekbench multicore test with a score of 9614, which is 33.6% higher than the Threadripper 2970WX's score of 7195.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has an average benchmark score of 6760, and the Intel Xeon W-2191B has an average benchmark score of 6531.

Q: Are these processors currently in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is listed as active in production, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Intel Xeon W-2191B features 18 cores and 36 threads, a base clock of 2.30 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX features 24 cores and 48 threads, a base clock of 3.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The TDP is 140 watts for the Intel part and 250 watts for the AMD part.

The process nodes differ, with Intel using 14 nm and AMD using 12 nm. The foundry is Intel for the Xeon and GlobalFoundries for the Threadripper. The Intel die is a single 484 mm² piece, while the AMD chip uses four 213 mm² dies, totaling 19,200 million transistors. Cache configurations are distinct: Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 24.75 MB L3 shared, while AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3.

Memory bandwidth favors the AMD chip at 93.9 GB/s versus Intel's 85.3 GB/s, though both support quad-channel DDR4. ECC memory is supported on the Intel Xeon W-2191B but not on the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX. PCIe lane counts are 48 for Intel and 60 for AMD, both Gen 3. The socket types are Intel Socket 2066 and AMD Socket SP3r2. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part is unlocked. The market segments are server/workstation for Intel and desktop for AMD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a dominant performance profile for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across rendering tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD chip scores 2651 against the Intel's 2407, a delta of -9.2% favoring the AMD side. The single-core Cinebench R15 test shows a similar pattern, with the AMD scoring 374 and the Intel scoring 339, a 9.4% difference. These margins persist across newer versions of the benchmark. Cinebench R20 multicore results show the AMD at 11048 and the Intel at 10032, again a 9.2% delta. The single-core R20 test has the AMD at 1559 and the Intel at 1416, also a 9.2% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend with the AMD at 26305 and the Intel at 23887, a 9.2% delta, and single-core R23 shows the AMD at 3713 versus the Intel at 3372, another 9.2% delta.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across all six Cinebench tests, the performance gap remains tightly clustered between 9.2% and 9.4% in favor of the AMD processor. This suggests a uniform architectural advantage in these workloads, likely stemming from the higher core count and larger L3 cache.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Xeon W-2191B achieves a score of 9614, which is 33.6% higher than the AMD's 7195. This is a substantial reversal and the largest performance delta recorded in the head-to-head comparisons. The single-core Geekbench test, however, goes back to the AMD side, with the Threadripper scoring 1236 versus the Intel's 1182, a 4.4% advantage.

The database records a total of 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX wins 7 of them, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B wins 1. The wins for AMD are all in the Cinebench suite plus the Geekbench single-core test. The sole win for Intel is the Geekbench multicore test, and it is by a wide margin. This indicates that the Intel processor may have strengths in workloads that resemble Geekbench's multicore test, which often includes a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory-bound tasks that may not scale as directly with core count as Cinebench's rendering engine does.