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

✅+58.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,206 vs 1,365).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6254 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 250W vs 200W.

Xeon Gold 6254

2019

Why buy it

✅+13.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 200W instead of 250W, a 50W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,000 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

2018

Xeon Gold 6254

2019

Why buy it

✅+58.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅+13.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 200W instead of 250W, a 50W reduction.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,206 vs 1,365).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,799 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6254 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25% higher power demand at 250W vs 200W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (21,000 vs 33,213).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6254 better than Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6254 is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX pulls ahead with 58.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX also has the bigger cache pool with 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 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 58.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 158.6% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6254 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Xeon Gold 6254 is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,799 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 58.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6254 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 Gold 6254 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
1080p
low	198 FPS	184 FPS
medium	177 FPS	148 FPS
high	143 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	115 FPS	94 FPS
1440p
low	160 FPS	146 FPS
medium	134 FPS	115 FPS
high	104 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	73 FPS	68 FPS
medium	64 FPS	57 FPS
high	50 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	36 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon Gold 6254

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
1080p
low	536 FPS	400 FPS
medium	483 FPS	346 FPS
high	404 FPS	291 FPS
ultra	354 FPS	244 FPS
1440p
low	473 FPS	346 FPS
medium	424 FPS	307 FPS
high	360 FPS	259 FPS
ultra	299 FPS	216 FPS
4K
low	295 FPS	225 FPS
medium	265 FPS	200 FPS
high	242 FPS	180 FPS
ultra	213 FPS	148 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon Gold 6254

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
1080p
low	768 FPS	808 FPS
medium	640 FPS	808 FPS
high	577 FPS	808 FPS
ultra	504 FPS	751 FPS
1440p
low	640 FPS	766 FPS
medium	533 FPS	674 FPS
high	465 FPS	634 FPS
ultra	408 FPS	566 FPS
4K
low	469 FPS	495 FPS
medium	377 FPS	404 FPS
high	336 FPS	356 FPS
ultra	280 FPS	290 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon Gold 6254

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
1080p
low	799 FPS	808 FPS
medium	799 FPS	767 FPS
high	704 FPS	666 FPS
ultra	616 FPS	581 FPS
1440p
low	730 FPS	691 FPS
medium	644 FPS	604 FPS
high	549 FPS	522 FPS
ultra	474 FPS	453 FPS
4K
low	523 FPS	479 FPS
medium	473 FPS	429 FPS
high	419 FPS	384 FPS
ultra	362 FPS	332 FPS

Open Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Open Xeon Gold 6254

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Xeon Gold 6254

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 Gold 6254

The Xeon Gold 6254 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 18 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 32,334 points. Launch price was $3,803.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6254 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6254 — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6254 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX scores 31,945 against the Xeon Gold 6254's 32,334 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon Gold 6254. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 33,213 vs 21,000 (45.1% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,206 vs 1,365, a 12.4% lead for the Xeon Gold 6254 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,612 vs 10,950 (36% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6254). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6254.

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+78%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	64 MB+159%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	18 MB+3500%
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	31,945	32,334+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	33,213+58%	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	1,206	1,365+13%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,612	10,950+44%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX uses the TR4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6254 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6254). PCIe lanes: 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6254) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6254).

Feature	Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX	Xeon Gold 6254
Socket	TR4	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	2048 GB+100%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	64+33%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6254 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6254). Primary use case: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX targets Extreme Content Creation, Xeon Gold 6254 targets Enterprise Server / Database. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX rivals Core i9-9980XE; Xeon Gold 6254 rivals EPYC 7302.