AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX vs Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4
Buy the Threadripper PRO 5955WX for a new workstation build that needs modern single-thread speed and PCIe 4.0. Buy the Xeon E5-2697 v4 only if you already own an LGA2011-3 board and want 18 cheap cores for a home lab or render box. The 5955WX is the faster, current part; the E5-2697 v4 is a 2016 server chip that sells used for a fraction of the price.
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AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX Processor
Choose the Threadripper PRO 5955WX if you are building a new professional workstation for CAD, 3D rendering or simulation and need strong per-core speed plus a current platform.
- High 4.0 GHz base clock beats the Xeon by a wide margin in single-thread work.
- 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes for multiple GPUs and fast NVMe storage.
- 8-channel DDR4-3200 memory bandwidth.
What separates them
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX | Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 16 cores, 32 threads | 18 cores, 36 threads |
| Base / boost clock | 4.0 GHz base, 4.5 GHz boost | 2.3 GHz base, boost not stated |
| Socket and platform | sWRX8, WRX80 chipset, current | LGA2011-3, X99/C612 chipset, 2016 platform |
| Memory | 8-channel DDR4 up to 3200 MHz | 4-channel DDR4, 45 MB cache |
| PCIe lanes | 128 lanes of PCIe 4.0 | 40 lanes of PCIe 3.0 |
| TDP | 280 W | 145 W |
| Overclocking | Unlocked | Locked |
Price history
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX: lowest $762.00 on Nov 3 at eBay.
- Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4: lowest $356.00 on Nov 3 at Global One Technology.
Prices at every store
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4
- CPU MedicsCheck price at CPU Medics
- directmacro.comCheck price at directmacro.com
- ServerSupply.comCheck price at ServerSupply.com
Specs compared
| Spec | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX | Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket Type | sWRX8, Socket sWRX8 | Socket LGA2011-3 |
| Clock Speed | 4 GHz | 2.3 GHz |
| Number Of Cores | 16 | 18-core |
| Integrated Graphics | No | — |
| Manufacturer | AMD | — |
| Boost Clock Speed | 4.5 GHz | — |
| Number Of Threads | 32 | — |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 280 W | — |
| Supports Overclocking | Yes | — |
| RAM Type | DDR4 | — |
What reviewers say
Intel Xeon E5-2697 v4
Owner reports on used-market forums are positive about multi-core value for home labs and rendering, while noting weak single-thread speed and platform age.
- Multi-core performancePraisedOwners say the 18 cores handle virtualization and rendering well for the money.
- Single-thread speedCriticisedThe 2.3 GHz base clock makes lightly threaded work feel slow.
- Power and heatCriticisedFull-load runs draw high power and need serious cooling.
- Platform ageMixed
Questions and answers
- Which is better for 3D rendering?
- The 5955WX wins in most renderers because its much higher clocks offset the Xeon's two extra cores. The E5-2697 v4 only pulls ahead in workloads that scale purely on core count and run for hours.
- Which is better for gaming?
- The 5955WX, clearly. Its 4.5 GHz boost is far better for games than the Xeon's 2.3 GHz base, though neither is a value gaming choice.
- Is the Threadripper worth the extra money?
- Yes for a new build. The Xeon needs an obsolete LGA2011-3 board, and the platform's PCIe 3.0 and low clocks limit modern GPUs and storage.
- Which lasts longer?
- The 5955WX has a longer useful life because it is a current platform with warranty support. Used E5-2697 v4 chips are already years old and board supply is drying up.
- Can I use ECC memory with either?
- The Xeon E5-2697 v4 supports ECC DDR4 on server boards. The 5955WX listing states no ECC support, so check the motherboard before relying on it.
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