AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX vs Intel Xeon w7-3555 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two workstation processors into clearly defined roles. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX dominates the multi-threaded and data-intensive workloads, winning 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Xeon w7-3555 takes only 3 wins, but those wins are meaningful for specific task types.

The AMD part is the clear choice for heavy parallel compute. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 64021 against the Intel's 57590, an 11.2% advantage. That pattern repeats across every Cinebench version tested: R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, all show the same 11.1% to 11.2% delta in AMD's favor. The PassMark multithread score follows suit at 75319 versus 67754, again an 11.2% lead.

The AMD chip's biggest wins are in integer-heavy and encryption work. PassMark integer math shows a massive 47.2% gap (360156 vs 244642). Data encryption is even more lopsided at 67.6% (80453 vs 48007). Data compression also favors AMD strongly at 33.8% (1293784 vs 966970). These are workloads where core count and memory bandwidth matter enormously, and the AMD processor has both advantages.

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 takes the remaining wins. Its PassMark physics score of 5802 beats AMD's 4360 by 24.9%. This is a notable outlier, suggesting the Intel architecture handles physics simulation calculations more efficiently despite having fewer cores. The Intel part also wins in single-threaded PassMark tests, scoring 3549 versus 3323, a 6.4% advantage. This shows the Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz translated into real single-thread performance gains over AMD's 4.50 GHz boost.

For practical use, the picture is clear. Rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, database workloads, and any task that scales across many cores will favor the Threadripper PRO. Single-threaded applications, physics simulations, and lightly threaded workloads will feel snappier on the Xeon. The data shows the AMD chip is the broader performer, but the Intel chip has specific niches where it genuinely outperforms.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with the Chagall PRO codename. It packs 32 cores and 64 threads, running at a 3.60 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock. The chip draws a 280 W TDP and uses the AMD Socket WRX8 platform.

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 uses the Sapphire Rapids codename on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 28 cores and 56 threads, with a lower 2.70 GHz base clock but a higher 4.80 GHz boost clock. Its TDP is 325 W, and it fits the Intel Socket 4677 platform.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 128 MB L3 cache. The Intel part has 80 KB L1 per core, a much larger 2 MB L2 per core, but only 75 MB of L3. The smaller L3 on Intel is partially compensated by the bigger per-core L2, which helps with single-thread performance.

The die layout also differs. AMD uses four 81 mm² chiplets, totaling 16,600 million transistors. Intel uses four 477 mm² dies. The larger die size on Intel reflects the more complex 10 nm process and different design approach.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The AMD chip uses DDR4 with eight-channel memory, providing 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip uses DDR5 with eight-channel memory, nearly doubling bandwidth to 307.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is essential for workstation reliability.

PCIe capabilities also differ. AMD offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU. Intel offers PCIe Gen 5 with 112 lanes. The newer Gen 5 standard on Intel doubles the theoretical bandwidth per lane, which matters for the fastest GPUs and NVMe storage. AMD's extra lanes give more total connectivity options, even if each lane is slower.

The release dates are far apart. The AMD processor launched on March 7, 2022, while the Intel part arrived on August 23, 2024. Both remain in active production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX has 32 cores and 64 threads. The Intel Xeon w7-3555 has 28 cores and 56 threads. AMD leads by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win in single-threaded tests despite having fewer cores?

A: The Intel Xeon w7-3555 has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to AMD's 4.50 GHz. This contributes to its 6.4% lead in PassMark single-thread tests (3549 vs 3323). The larger 2 MB L2 cache per core on Intel also helps reduce latency for single-thread workloads.

Q: How significant is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel chip supports DDR5 memory with 307.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip uses DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s. That is a 50% advantage for Intel in theoretical memory bandwidth, which benefits memory-intensive workloads.

Q: Which chip is better for encryption workloads?

A: The AMD chip dominates encryption. Its PassMark data encryption score of 80453 is 67.6% higher than Intel's 48007. This is one of the largest gaps in the entire benchmark suite.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX and Intel Xeon w7-3555 support ECC memory. This is a critical feature for workstation reliability in professional environments.

Q: What are the PCIe differences between the two?

A: The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU. The Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 5 with 112 lanes. Intel's standard is newer and faster per lane, but AMD offers more total lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX | Intel Xeon w7-3555 |

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

| Cores | 32 | 28 |

| Threads | 64 | 56 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 325 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket WRX8 | Intel Socket 4677 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Sapphire Rapids |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 4x 81 mm² | 4x 477 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 75 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 307.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes | Gen 5, 112 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | N/A |

| Release Date | March 7, 2022 | August 23, 2024 |

| Launch MSRP | $3299 | $2339 |

| Part Number | 100-000000445 | SRN75 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 80453 against Intel's 48007. That is a 67.6% advantage, the single biggest delta in the entire comparison. PassMark integer math is the second-largest gap at 47.2%, with AMD scoring 360156 versus Intel's 244642.

Data compression also heavily favors AMD. The 1293784 score beats Intel's 966970 by 33.8%. Random string sorting shows a 28.5% gap (123527 vs 96112). These are all workloads that scale with core count and benefit from AMD's 32-core layout.

The Cinebench results are consistent across every version. R15 multi-core shows AMD at 6453 versus Intel at 5804, an 11.2% lead. R20 multi-core shows 26888 versus 24187, also 11.2%. R23 multi-core shows 64021 versus 57590, again 11.2%. The single-core Cinebench tests all show 11.1% to 11.2% leads for AMD, which is interesting because the Intel chip wins the PassMark single-thread test. This suggests the two benchmark suites measure different aspects of single-thread performance.

PassMark find prime numbers shows AMD ahead by 10.1% (438 vs 398). Floating point math favors AMD by 6% (202363 vs 190917). Extended instructions show AMD ahead by 6.7% (82850 vs 77619). The PassMark multithread score is 75319 for AMD versus 67754 for Intel, an 11.2% gap that mirrors the Cinebench results.

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 takes its wins in specific areas. PassMark physics shows Intel at 5802 versus AMD's 4360, a 24.9% advantage. This is the only test where Intel wins by a large margin. The PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests show Intel at 3549 versus AMD's 3323, a 6.4% advantage. These are the only three wins for Intel in the entire 17-test comparison.

The Verdict

The data makes the choice straightforward for most workstation buyers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX is the superior multi-threaded processor, winning 14 of 17 benchmark comparisons. It leads in every Cinebench test, every major PassMark compute workload, and delivers particularly massive advantages in encryption, integer math, and data compression.

The AMD chip's 32 cores and 64 threads provide a structural advantage over Intel's 28 cores and 56 threads. The 128 MB L3 cache is significantly larger than Intel's 75 MB, which helps with large working sets. The 280 W TDP is also lower than Intel's 325 W, meaning AMD achieves better performance with less power draw.

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 has genuine strengths in narrow areas. Its PassMark physics score is 24.9% higher, making it a better fit for simulation workloads that rely on physics calculations. Its single-thread performance is 6.4% better, which helps in legacy applications that cannot use many cores. The DDR5 memory support with 307.2 GB/s bandwidth is a forward-looking advantage, and the PCIe Gen 5 support offers faster connectivity for the latest accelerators.

For a general-purpose workstation handling rendering, compilation, data analysis, or any parallel workload, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX is the better choice. Its benchmark dominance is comprehensive and consistent. The Intel chip only makes sense if physics simulation or single-thread performance is the primary concern, or if the newer platform features like PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 are essential for specific hardware requirements.

The average benchmark score tells the same story. AMD's average of 124171 places it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel's average of 106192 also lands in the 97th percentile. Both are elite processors, but the AMD chip delivers roughly 17% higher average performance. The nearest rivals for AMD are the AMD EPYC 7642 and Intel Xeon 6730P, both within 0.5%. For Intel, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX at 0.2% lower, showing the Xeon sits in a more competitive neighborhood.

The choice comes down to workload priorities. For maximum multi-threaded throughput, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX wins decisively. For physics-heavy or single-threaded tasks, the Intel Xeon w7-3555 offers specific advantages. Professional buyers should match the processor to their dominant workload type.