PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

2018

Why buy it

✅+121.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2488 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon E-2488 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌163.2% higher power demand at 250W vs 95W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon E-2488 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Xeon E-2488

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 250W, a 155W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

2018

Xeon E-2488

2023

Why buy it

✅+121.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 250W, a 155W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2488 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon E-2488 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌163.2% higher power demand at 250W vs 95W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Xeon E-2488 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,000 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2488 better than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Xeon E-2488 is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX pulls ahead with 121.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the better fit. You are getting 121.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E-2488 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon E-2488 is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,799 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 121.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E-2488 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of TR4. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Benchmark Check

Xeon E-2488 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
1080p
low	198 FPS	258 FPS
medium	177 FPS	248 FPS
high	143 FPS	206 FPS
ultra	115 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	160 FPS	223 FPS
medium	134 FPS	191 FPS
high	104 FPS	152 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	133 FPS
4K
low	73 FPS	154 FPS
medium	64 FPS	131 FPS
high	50 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	88 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon E-2488

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
1080p
low	536 FPS	652 FPS
medium	483 FPS	557 FPS
high	404 FPS	468 FPS
ultra	354 FPS	426 FPS
1440p
low	473 FPS	564 FPS
medium	424 FPS	504 FPS
high	360 FPS	427 FPS
ultra	299 FPS	367 FPS
4K
low	295 FPS	329 FPS
medium	265 FPS	301 FPS
high	242 FPS	285 FPS
ultra	213 FPS	251 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon E-2488

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
1080p
low	768 FPS	647 FPS
medium	640 FPS	529 FPS
high	577 FPS	466 FPS
ultra	504 FPS	404 FPS
1440p
low	640 FPS	589 FPS
medium	533 FPS	490 FPS
high	465 FPS	426 FPS
ultra	408 FPS	371 FPS
4K
low	469 FPS	427 FPS
medium	377 FPS	376 FPS
high	336 FPS	341 FPS
ultra	280 FPS	288 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon E-2488

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
1080p
low	799 FPS	797 FPS
medium	799 FPS	797 FPS
high	704 FPS	737 FPS
ultra	616 FPS	663 FPS
1440p
low	728 FPS	794 FPS
medium	644 FPS	712 FPS
high	549 FPS	618 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	545 FPS
4K
low	522 FPS	544 FPS
medium	473 FPS	496 FPS
high	419 FPS	445 FPS
ultra	362 FPS	389 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon E-2488

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Xeon E-2488

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 31,945 points. Launch price was $1,799.

Xeon E-2488

The Xeon E-2488 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 31,888 points. Launch price was $606.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon E-2488 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 5.6 GHz on the Xeon E-2488 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2488 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E-2488 uses Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX scores 31,945 against the Xeon E-2488's 31,888 — a 0.2% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 33,213 vs 15,000 (75.6% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,206 vs 2,100, a 54.1% lead for the Xeon E-2488 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,612 vs 12,000 (44.7% advantage for the Xeon E-2488). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2488.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+300%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	5.6 GHz+33%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	64 MB+167%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	12 nm	Intel 7 nm-42%
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
PassMark	31,945	31,888
Cinebench R23 Multi	33,213+121%	15,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,206	2,100+74%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,612	12,000+58%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2488 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon E-2488 — the Xeon E-2488 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 2 (Xeon E-2488). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 20 (Xeon E-2488) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) and W680 (Xeon E-2488).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon E-2488
Socket	TR4	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR5-4800+25%
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB+1500%	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+220%	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E-2488). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation, Xeon E-2488 targets Entry-level Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE; Xeon E-2488 rivals Xeon E-2388G.