AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX wins every single head-to-head test against the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260. Out of six recorded comparisons, the Threadripper takes all six, with no test going in favor of the Xeon. This is not a case of one chip winning in productivity and the other in single-threaded workloads. The AMD part leads in both multicore and singlecore Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23 versions.

For heavily threaded workloads, the Threadripper 2990WX holds a consistent 13.2% advantage in multicore tests. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 27370 versus 24173 confirms that the 32-core AMD chip sustains its lead even under sustained all-core rendering loads. The Xeon Platinum 8260, despite being a 24-core server processor, cannot close that gap.

Single-threaded performance also favors AMD, though by the same 13.2% margin in most tests. The Cinebench R15 singlecore score of 389 versus 343 gives the Threadripper a 13.4% edge, the largest single-thread delta in the dataset. The R20 and R23 singlecore tests both show exactly 13.2% leads for the AMD chip. This means the Threadripper is not just a multicore brute; it also has better per-core responsiveness in these rendering benchmarks.

There is no workload category in the recorded data where the Xeon Platinum 8260 comes out ahead. The database shows zero wins for the Intel part. If the use case is Cinebench-style rendering, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the Threadripper 2990WX is the stronger choice based on every available measurement.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Colfax, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 32 cores and 64 threads with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 uses the Cascade Lake architecture, specifically Cascade Lake-SP, on Intel's 14 nm process. It has 24 cores and 48 threads, with a 2.40 GHz base clock and 3.90 GHz boost clock.

The transistor counts reflect the different approaches. AMD lists 19,200 million transistors across a die size of 4x 213 mm², meaning four separate chiplets. Intel lists 8,000 million transistors for the Xeon, with no die size recorded in the database. The Threadripper's higher transistor count and larger physical footprint are consistent with its extra eight cores and 16 threads.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Threadripper 2990WX has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a 64 MB L3 cache. The Xeon Platinum 8260 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 35.75 MB of shared L3. AMD's larger L3 pool gives it more aggregate cache, while Intel's larger per-core L2 might help certain access patterns, but the benchmark results do not show any advantage from that in Cinebench.

Memory support also separates the two. The Threadripper uses quad-channel DDR4 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s, and it does not support ECC memory. The Xeon supports DDR4 with ECC memory enabled, though its memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded in the database. The Threadripper also offers 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon's PCIe configuration is not listed.

The socket and platform targets differ as well. The Threadripper 2990WX uses AMD Socket SP3r2 and is classified as a desktop part. The Xeon Platinum 8260 uses Intel Socket 3647 and is classified as a server or workstation processor. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked. Release dates are close: the Threadripper launched on August 12, 2018, and the Xeon on December 10, 2018.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the consistency of the margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Threadripper scores 2758 against the Xeon's 2436, a 13.2% win. The R15 singlecore test shows 389 versus 343, a 13.4% margin, the largest of any comparison. Moving to R20, the multicore result is 11495 versus 10152, again 13.2%. The R20 singlecore result is 1622 versus 1433, still 13.2%.

Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern. The multicore score is 27370 for the AMD chip versus 24173 for the Intel chip, a 13.2% difference. The singlecore score is 3864 versus 3412, another 13.2% margin. Every multicore test across three generations of the Cinebench suite lands at exactly 13.2%, indicating a stable performance ratio rather than a workload-specific fluke.

The Threadripper also appears in the Geekbench database with a multicore score of 11821 and a singlecore score of 1303. The Xeon has no Geekbench results recorded, so no direct comparison is possible for that suite. Still, the Cinebench data alone covers both multicore and singlecore scenarios.

In terms of average benchmark score, the Threadripper 2990WX sits at 7578, while the Xeon Platinum 8260 averages 6992. That is a gap of roughly 586 points, or about 8.4% in the AMD chip's favor. Both processors land in the 63rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, which places them in the same overall performance tier despite the Threadripper's consistent wins in the head-to-head tests.

The nearest rivals for each chip also tell a story. The Threadripper's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-6500 with an average score of 7569, a delta of 0.1%, and the AMD EPYC 7371 at 7568, also 0.1%. The Xeon's nearest rival is the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 at 6969, a 0.3% delta, and the Intel Core i9-7980XE at 7018, a -0.4% delta. These neighbors are far below the flagship status of either processor, which suggests the database's average scoring method does not fully capture the high-end rendering performance these chips deliver.

The Verdict

For anyone running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the clear pick from the recorded data. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with a 13.2% multicore advantage and a 13.2% to 13.4% singlecore advantage. The 32-core, 64-thread configuration with a 4.20 GHz boost clock delivers higher scores in every measured scenario.

The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 should be considered by users who need ECC memory support, which the Threadripper lacks. The Xeon also has a lower 165 W TDP compared to the Threadripper's 250 W, which may matter in dense server environments where power and cooling are constrained. However, the database does not record any performance win for the Xeon, so those advantages are platform-level rather than benchmark-level.

The Threadripper is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, making it more flexible for enthusiasts. The Xeon is a locked server processor. If the workload is purely rendering and ECC is not required, the Threadripper 2990WX offers better measured performance across the board. If the platform demands ECC memory and server-grade reliability, the Xeon Platinum 8260 is the appropriate choice, accepting its lower benchmark scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multicore rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX wins all three multicore Cinebench tests. It scores 2758 in R15, 11495 in R20, and 27370 in R23, versus 2436, 10152, and 24173 for the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260. Each margin is 13.2%.

Q: Is the Threadripper also faster in single-threaded tests?

A: Yes. The Threadripper scores 389 in Cinebench R15 singlecore versus 343 for the Xeon, a 13.4% lead. In R20 and R23 singlecore, it leads by 13.2% with scores of 1622 vs 1433 and 3864 vs 3412 respectively.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon have any benchmark wins?

A: No. In the head-to-head dataset, the Xeon Platinum 8260 records zero wins. The Threadripper 2990WX wins all six comparisons.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Threadripper 2990WX has 32 cores and 64 threads. The Xeon Platinum 8260 has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX does not, according to the database.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each chip?

A: The Threadripper 2990WX has an average benchmark score of 7578. The Xeon Platinum 8260 averages 6992. Both are in the 63rd percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX | Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 |

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

| Cores | 32 | 24 |

| Threads | 64 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 250 W | 165 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3r2 | Intel Socket 3647 |

| Architecture | Zen+ | Cascade Lake |

| Codename | Colfax | Cascade Lake-SP |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 19,200 million | 8,000 million |

| Die Size | 4x 213 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 35.75 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 93.9 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 60 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2018-08-12 | 2018-12-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $1799 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |