AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Intel Xeon D-2799 Comparison

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, though narrow, winner for most workloads: the Intel Xeon D-2799. Across every recorded benchmark, it outperforms the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX, but the margins are consistently small, never exceeding a 1% delta. The Xeon D-2799 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, while the Threadripper PRO 3945WX does not secure a single win. If you are optimizing purely for raw benchmark scores, the Intel part is the one to choose. However, the AMD processor is not far behind; its scores are within a rounding error of Intel's in most tests. The real differentiators are not the benchmark scores but the platform characteristics: memory bandwidth, PCIe lane count, and power envelope. Choose the Xeon D-2799 if you need slightly higher multi-threaded throughput in a lower-power package. Choose the Threadripper PRO 3945WX if you require massive memory bandwidth or an extraordinary number of PCIe lanes for expansion, as the benchmark gap is negligible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and process technologies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 7,600 million transistors across two dies, each measuring 74 mm². The Intel Xeon D-2799 uses the Ice Lake architecture, codenamed Ice Lake-D, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Intel part is a single-die design, though the die size and transistor count are not recorded in the database.

The core layouts differ significantly. AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel provides 20 cores and 40 threads. That is a 66% advantage in core count and an 80% advantage in thread count for Intel. Cache hierarchies also differ. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus a large 64 MB L3 cache shared across the chip. Intel allocates a smaller 80 KB L1 per core, a larger 1.25 MB L2 per core, and a much smaller 30 MB shared L3. The AMD part has over twice the total L3 capacity, which can help in data-heavy workloads, but the Intel part compensates with more physical cores.

Memory architecture is a major divergence. The AMD processor supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus, delivering a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Intel processor also supports DDR4 but over a quad-channel bus, delivering exactly half the bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is expected for server and workstation parts. PCIe connectivity also differs sharply: AMD provides 128 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides only 32 Gen 4 lanes. That is a 4x difference in expansion capability. The AMD part uses the WRX8 socket, while the Intel part uses BGA 2579, meaning the Intel is a soldered, embedded-style package. The AMD processor has a 280 W TDP, while the Intel processor draws a much more modest 129 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results show a consistent, albeit tiny, advantage for the Intel Xeon D-2799. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2895 against AMD's 2869, a delta of -0.9% from AMD's perspective. In single-core R15, Intel scores 408 against AMD's 404, a -1% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats: Intel scores 12063 multi-core versus AMD's 11956, again a -0.9% delta, and 1703 single-core versus AMD's 1687, also -0.9%. In Cinebench R23, Intel scores 28723 multi-core versus AMD's 28469, and 4055 single-core versus AMD's 4019, both at -0.9% deltas. The largest margin in any test is 1%, which is within run-to-run variance for many systems. The AMD processor does not win any of the six recorded tests. However, the AMD part is not embarrassed; its multi-core scores trail by only 254 points in R23, which is less than 1% of the total score. The Intel part wins on raw numbers, but the practical performance difference is minimal.

Looking at the broader database context, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has an average benchmark score of 7741, placing it in the 64th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4590 (avg 7609, 1.7% ahead), the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX (avg 7578, 2.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i9-10980XE (avg 7910, 2.1% behind). The Intel Xeon D-2799 has an average score of 8308, also in the 64th percentile, with nearest rivals like the Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 (avg 8315, 0.1% behind) and the Intel Xeon Gold 5320T (avg 8316, 0.1% behind). The Intel part sits in a slightly higher absolute performance tier, but the percentile rank is identical.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. Core count: AMD has 12, Intel has 20. Thread count: AMD has 24, Intel has 40. Base clock: AMD runs at 4.00 GHz, Intel at 2.40 GHz. Boost clock: AMD reaches 4.30 GHz, Intel reaches 3.40 GHz. The AMD part has a much higher clock speed, which helps close the gap despite having fewer cores. TDP: AMD is rated at 280 W, Intel at 129 W. The Intel part draws less than half the power budget. Process node: AMD uses 7 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm from Intel. Socket: AMD uses Socket WRX8, Intel uses BGA 2579. Cache: AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus 30 MB shared L3. Memory bus: AMD is eight-channel, Intel is quad-channel. Memory bandwidth: AMD at 204.8 GB/s, Intel at 102.4 GB/s. PCIe: AMD has 128 Gen 4 lanes, Intel has 32 Gen 4 lanes. Release date: AMD launched on 2020-07-13, Intel on 2022-02-23. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $1972. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are actively produced, both have no integrated graphics, and both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2799 wins every multi-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 28723 versus AMD's 28469, a -0.9% delta. The same pattern holds in R20 and R15, where Intel leads by 0.9% or less.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark?

A: No. Across all six recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX finishes second. The closest result is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel leads by only 1%.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2799 has 20 cores and 40 threads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. Intel provides 8 more cores and 16 more threads.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The AMD processor uses an eight-channel DDR4 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor uses a quad-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s. AMD has double the memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX provides 128 Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Xeon D-2799 provides 32 Gen 4 lanes. AMD has four times the expansion capacity.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD processor has a TDP of 280 W. The Intel processor has a TDP of 129 W. Intel draws less than half the power budget, which can simplify cooling and reduce operating costs.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2799 wins in every recorded benchmark, but the margins are small. Its 20 cores and 40 threads give it a structural advantage in heavily parallel workloads, and the data confirms it: Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores all favor Intel. The single-core scores also favor Intel, though by less than 1%, meaning the higher boost clock of the AMD part (4.30 GHz versus 3.40 GHz) does not overcome Intel's architectural efficiency. The Intel part also wins in power efficiency, with a 129 W TDP versus AMD's 280 W. For a dense server environment or a chassis with limited cooling, the Intel part is the safer choice. Its BGA 2579 socket, while not upgradeable, is typical for embedded and edge server deployments.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX does not win any benchmark, but it wins on platform capability. Its eight-channel memory bus delivers 204.8 GB/s, which is double the Intel part's 102.4 GB/s. For workloads that are memory-bandwidth sensitive, such as large in-memory databases or high-performance computing kernels, this advantage can matter more than a 1% Cinebench delta. The AMD part also provides 128 Gen 4 PCIe lanes, which is four times the Intel's 32. For systems that need multiple GPUs, NVMe storage arrays, or high-speed networking cards, the AMD platform offers far more expansion headroom. The AMD part also has a much larger L3 cache (64 MB versus 30 MB), which can reduce memory latency in certain access patterns. The AMD part launches earlier, in July 2020, while the Intel part arrives in February 2022, but both are still in active production. If you need raw benchmark dominance, pick Intel. If you need memory bandwidth and PCIe expansion, pick AMD, and accept that its Cinebench scores will be a hair behind.