AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a surprisingly consistent story across most Cinebench tests, with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX taking seven of eight head-to-head matchups. The PRO 3945WX leads by exactly 4% in every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, across both single-core and multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the PRO 3945WX scores 2869 against 2758 for the 2990WX, while in R15 single-core it posts 404 versus 389. The R20 results show 11956 versus 11495 multi-core and 1687 versus 1622 single-core. R23 continues the pattern with 28469 versus 27370 multi-core and 4019 versus 3864 single-core.

That 4% delta is remarkably uniform, which suggests the advantage is not workload-specific but rather a consistent architectural edge. The PRO 3945WX’s higher base clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.00 GHz and slightly higher boost of 4.30 GHz versus 4.20 GHz likely explain most of this gap, especially in single-threaded tests where the 2990WX’s 32 cores cannot help.

The single exception to this sweep is Geekbench multi-core, where the 2990WX wins decisively with 11821 against 10854, a difference of 8.2% in favor of the older chip. That is a substantial reversal, and it highlights that the 2990WX’s core-count advantage — 32 cores versus 12 — still matters in certain heavily threaded workloads that scale well beyond what Cinebench uses. The PRO 3945WX does win Geekbench single-core by a wide 28% margin, posting 1668 versus 1303, which is the largest single-test gap in the entire comparison.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the PRO 3945WX sits at 7741 versus 7578 for the 2990WX, a 2.2% overall edge. Both chips occupy nearly identical positions in the CPU percentile rankings, with the PRO 3945WX at the 64th percentile and the 2990WX at the 63rd percentile. The nearest rival data reinforces how close these two are in aggregate: the PRO 3945WX is 1.7% above the Intel Core i5-4590 and 2.3% above the Intel Core i5-6500, while the 2990WX is 0.1% above the same i5-6500 and 1.5% above the Intel Core i5-7400. Both chips trail the Intel Core i9-10980XE, which sits 2.1% above the PRO 3945WX’s average score.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced recommendation. If your work is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering or single-threaded performance, the PRO 3945WX is the pick — it wins every Cinebench test by 4% and crushes the 2990WX in Geekbench single-core by 28%. The newer Zen 2 architecture delivers better instructions-per-clock, and the higher clocks across the board make it the faster chip for most everyday workstation tasks.

However, if your workload resembles Geekbench’s multi-core test more than Cinebench, the 2990WX’s 32 cores and 64 threads give it a real 8.2% advantage in that specific scenario. That is not a trivial margin, and for heavily parallel integer workloads that scale with core count, the 2990WX remains competitive despite being a generation older.

The average benchmark scores are close enough that neither chip is a runaway winner overall. The PRO 3945WX edges ahead by 2.2% in aggregate, but the 2990WX’s win in Geekbench multi-core shows it still has a role. The PRO 3945WX is the safer recommendation for most buyers because its wins are more consistent and cover more test categories, but the 2990WX is not obsolete — it is simply more specialized.

Consider the platform differences too. The PRO 3945WX uses the AMD Socket WRX8 with eight-channel memory and PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the 2990WX uses the AMD Socket SP3r2 with quad-channel memory, PCIe Gen 3 with 60 lanes, and no ECC support. For workstation builds where memory bandwidth and PCIe expansion matter, the PRO 3945WX is the clear architectural choice. The 2990WX was launched with a $1799 MSRP and has an unlocked multiplier, which matters for overclockers, but the PRO 3945WX is locked.

Where Each One Wins

The PRO 3945WX wins in every Cinebench benchmark, both single-core and multi-core, across R15, R20, and R23. It also wins Geekbench single-core by a massive 28%. This makes it the better choice for rendering workloads that use Cinebench’s scaling model, for single-threaded applications like legacy software or lightly threaded design tools, and for any task where clock speed and IPC matter more than raw core count.

The 2990WX wins only Geekbench multi-core, but it wins by a hefty 8.2%. That single result indicates workloads that scale aggressively across many cores — think large compilation jobs, certain scientific simulations, or virtual machine hosts — can still extract more performance from the 2990WX’s 32 cores and 64 threads. The 2990WX also offers an unlocked multiplier, so users who overclock can potentially close the gap in other tests, though the data provided does not include overclocked results.

For mixed workloads, the PRO 3945WX’s consistency is the stronger argument. Seven wins out of eight tests, with margins ranging from 3.9% to 28%, means fewer scenarios where the 2990WX’s advantages come into play. The 2990WX is a specialist; the PRO 3945WX is the generalist that happens to be faster in most cases.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has an average benchmark score of 7741, compared to 7578 for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX, a 2.2% difference.

Q: How much faster is the PRO 3945WX in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The PRO 3945WX scores 28469 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the 2990WX scores 27370, giving the PRO chip a 4% advantage.

Q: Does the 2990WX win any benchmarks at all?

A: Yes, the 2990WX wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 11821 against 10854 for the PRO 3945WX, an 8.2% edge.

Q: What is the memory channel configuration for each processor?

A: The PRO 3945WX supports eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the 2990WX supports quad-channel memory with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth. Both support DDR4 memory.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, the PRO 3945WX supports ECC memory, but the 2990WX does not.

Q: What is the core count difference between the two?

A: The 2990WX has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the PRO chip wins most benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The PRO 3945WX is built on Zen 2 architecture with the codename Castle Peak, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It uses 7,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 74 mm². The 2990WX uses Zen+ architecture with the codename Colfax, fabricated on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries, with 19,200 million transistors across a die size of 4x 213 mm². The transistor count difference is substantial — the 2990WX has over twice as many transistors — but the PRO chip’s smaller, more efficient process node and newer architecture deliver better performance per transistor.

Cache configurations differ in L1 only: the PRO 3945WX has 64 KB of L1 per core, while the 2990WX has 96 KB per core. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core and 64 MB of L3 cache. The L1 difference is interesting because the 2990WX’s larger per-core L1 does not translate into a performance win in most tests.

The PRO 3945WX is part of the 3000 series and targets the Server/Workstation market segment, while the 2990WX is from the 2000 series and targets Desktop. The PRO chip has an active production status, as does the 2990WX. The release dates differ by roughly two years, with the 2990WX launching in August 2018 and the PRO 3945WX launching in July 2020.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the 2990WX has 32 cores and 64 threads — a 20-core and 40-thread advantage for the older chip. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz for the PRO chip versus 3.00 GHz for the 2990WX, a full 1 GHz higher. Boost clocks are closer, with 4.30 GHz versus 4.20 GHz.

Thermal design power differs: the PRO 3945WX is rated at 280 W, while the 2990WX is rated at 250 W. The sockets are incompatible: the PRO chip uses AMD Socket WRX8, while the 2990WX uses AMD Socket SP3r2. Memory support diverges sharply, with the PRO chip offering eight-channel memory and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth versus quad-channel and 93.9 GB/s for the 2990WX. ECC memory is supported only on the PRO chip.

PCIe connectivity is a major differentiator: the PRO 3945WX offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the 2990WX offers Gen 3 with 60 lanes (CPU only). The PRO chip has a locked multiplier, while the 2990WX’s multiplier is unlocked. The 2990WX has a launch MSRP of $1799; the PRO 3945WX has no listed launch MSRP. Part numbers are 100-000000168 for the PRO chip and YD299XAZUIHAF for the 2990WX.