Xeon Platinum 8256 vs Ryzen 9 3900

VS

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen 9 3900
2019
12 cores / 24 threads, 65 Watt
19.34
+83%
Xeon Platinum 8256
2018
4 cores / 8 threads, 105 Watt
10.57

Ryzen 9 3900 outperforms Xeon Platinum 8256 by an impressive 83% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking300741
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation20.751.68
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesAMD Matisse (Ryzen 3000 Desktop)Intel Xeon Platinum
Power efficiency28.169.53
Architecture codenameMatisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
Release date24 September 2019 (5 years ago)11 December 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$499$7,007

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 3900 has 1135% better value for money than Xeon Platinum 8256.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores12 (Dodeca-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads248
Base clock speed3.1 GHz3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.3 GHz3.9 GHz
Multiplierno data38
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512 KB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache64 MB16.5 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm14 nm
Die size2x 74 mm2no data
Maximum core temperatureno data72 °C
Number of transistors7,600 million8,000 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration18 (Multiprocessor)
SocketAM4FCLGA3647
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions86x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
TSX-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
Precision Boost 2+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-3200DDR4-2933
Maximum memory size128 GB1 TB
Max memory channels26
Maximum memory bandwidth51.196 GB/s140.8 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256.

PCIe version4.03.0
PCI Express lanes2448

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen 9 3900 19.34
+83%
Xeon Platinum 8256 10.57

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Ryzen 9 3900 30722
+83%
Xeon Platinum 8256 16787

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 19.34 10.57
Recency 24 September 2019 11 December 2018
Physical cores 12 4
Threads 24 8
Chip lithography 7 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 105 Watt

Ryzen 9 3900 has a 83% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 months, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, a 100% more advanced lithography process, and 61.5% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 9 3900 is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon Platinum 8256 in performance tests.

Note that Ryzen 9 3900 is a desktop processor while Xeon Platinum 8256 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen 9 3900 and Xeon Platinum 8256, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen 9 3900
Ryzen 9 3900
Intel Xeon Platinum 8256
Xeon Platinum 8256

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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