AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs Intel Xeon w5-2545 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two workstation processors. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six recorded Cinebench tests by a consistent margin of 2.1%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 34839 against 34131 for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX. The single-core results tell the same story: 4918 versus 4818 in Cinebench R23 single-core, again a 2.1% advantage for Intel.

The Intel processor also sweeps the PassMark CPU tests that favor raw compute throughput. Floating point math is the largest win, with the Xeon w5-2545 scoring 105619 against 77979 for the Threadripper, a commanding 35.4% lead. Single-thread performance follows a similar pattern: the Intel chip scores 3573 in PassMark single-thread, which is 33.4% higher than the AMD part's 2679. Extended instructions go to Intel by 9.1%, with scores of 42515 and 38952 respectively. Integer math is closer, but still favors Intel: 135576 versus 132456, a 2.4% edge. The multi-thread PassMark result also goes Intel's way at 40988 versus 40155, a 2.1% difference.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, however, posts decisive wins in several specialized workloads. Data compression is the biggest gap: the AMD chip scores 601738 versus 519755 for Intel, a 13.6% advantage. Data encryption shows an even larger relative gap at 31%, with scores of 38058 and 26266. Random string sorting favors AMD by 15.9% (63758 versus 53620). Prime number finding goes to AMD by 8.1% (198 versus 182), and physics simulation is essentially a tie with AMD ahead by only 0.6% (2460 versus 2445).

Overall, the Intel Xeon w5-2545 wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD part wins 5. Yet the average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story: the Intel processor averages 58504 across all recorded tests, while the AMD Threadripper averages 56555. Both CPUs sit at the 92nd percentile among all processors in the database. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (within 0.2%), the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i9-14900 (0.7% behind). The AMD Threadripper's closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 (0.4% behind) and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (0.5% behind).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon w5-2545 is the clear choice for compute-heavy rendering and simulation workloads. Its consistent 2.1% advantage across every Cinebench version, from R15 through R23, indicates a well-rounded performance uplift in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks. The 35.4% lead in floating point math makes it particularly well suited for scientific computing, financial modeling, and any workload that relies heavily on FPU throughput. The 33.4% single-thread advantage suggests faster response in lightly threaded applications, legacy software, and general desktop responsiveness within a workstation context.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX carves out its wins in data movement and security-related tasks. The 31% lead in data encryption points to stronger cryptographic throughput, which matters for encrypted storage, VPN gateways, and secure communications workloads. The 13.6% advantage in data compression and the 15.9% lead in random string sorting indicate that the AMD processor handles database operations, backup pipelines, and file archiving more efficiently. The 8.1% edge in prime number finding suggests an advantage in certain mathematical workloads, though the absolute scores here are low enough that the practical impact is modest.

For users who run a mix of rendering and data-intensive tasks, the choice depends on the dominant workload. Rendering and simulation favor Intel; compression, encryption, and sorting favor AMD. The physics test result, a near tie at 2460 versus 2445, suggests that physics simulation workloads will perform similarly on both platforms.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 uses Sapphire Rapids silicon built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own fabs. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses Zen 2 architecture under the Castle Peak codename, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. That process advantage gives AMD a smaller transistor geometry, and the Threadripper packs 7,600 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies.

Core counts differ substantially. The Intel part offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD part offers 16 cores and 32 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel processor matches or beats the AMD chip in most multi-threaded benchmarks, which speaks to the efficiency of the Sapphire Rapids design and its higher boost clock.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 30 MB L3 cache. AMD uses a smaller per-core L1 at 64 KB and a much smaller L2 at 512 KB per core, but compensates with a substantially larger 64 MB L3 cache. The larger L3 on the AMD part likely contributes to its strong showing in data compression and encryption, workloads that benefit from large working sets residing in cache.

Memory architecture also diverges. The Intel Xeon supports DDR5 memory over a quad-channel bus, delivering 153.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Threadripper PRO uses DDR4 over an eight-channel bus, achieving 204.8 GB/s. The AMD part has higher raw memory bandwidth, which may explain its advantage in data movement tasks. Both platforms support ECC memory, an important consideration for workstation reliability.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 64 CPU-only lanes, while the AMD part provides Gen 4 with 128 CPU-only lanes. Intel's newer PCIe generation offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but AMD offers double the lane count for expansion-heavy configurations.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 runs at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has a higher base clock of 3.90 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Thermal design power differs significantly: the Intel part is rated at 210 W, while the AMD part draws 280 W.

Socket compatibility is entirely separate. The Intel chip uses the Intel Socket 4677 platform, while the AMD chip uses the AMD Socket WRX8. The Intel part was released on 2024-08-23 with a launch MSRP of $889. The AMD part was released on 2020-07-13 with a launch MSRP of $1149. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports unlocked overclocking. The Intel part carries part number SRN4G, while the AMD part carries part number 100-000000167.

Market positioning also differs. The Intel Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation processor, while the AMD Threadripper PRO is classified as a Desktop processor, though its feature set clearly targets professional workloads. The Intel part has no integrated graphics, and the AMD part's integrated graphics field is not specified in the database. Both processors remain in active production.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon w5-2545 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests by 2.1%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 34839 versus 34131 for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX.

Q: Where does the AMD processor have a clear advantage?

A: The AMD part leads in data encryption by 31% (38058 versus 26266), random string sorting by 15.9% (63758 versus 53620), and data compression by 13.6% (601738 versus 519755).

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Xeon w5-2545 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite fewer cores, the Intel chip wins most multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-2545 supports DDR5 over a quad-channel bus with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports DDR4 over an eight-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX provides 128 CPU-only Gen 4 lanes. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 provides 64 CPU-only Gen 5 lanes.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-2545 has an average benchmark score of 58504, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX averages 56555. Both sit at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs in the database.