AMD EPYC 4564P vs Intel Xeon 6521P Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split between these two server processors. The Intel Xeon 6521P wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD EPYC 4564P wins only 2. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story. The Intel part dominates in heavy compute workloads, with its largest wins coming in PassMark physics (76.1% ahead), prime number finding (53.4% ahead), and floating point math (26.8% ahead). The AMD EPYC 4564P counters with a 24.6% victory in PassMark single-thread performance, a significant edge that suggests different workload priorities.

For workloads that stress raw multi-threaded throughput, dense compute, or memory bandwidth, the Intel Xeon 6521P is the clear choice from the benchmark data. It leads in every Cinebench test, every PassMark math test, and data compression. Conversely, the AMD EPYC 4564P is the pick for single-threaded tasks, as its PassMark single-thread score of 4292 versus 3238 demonstrates. The AMD part also offers integrated Radeon Graphics, which the Intel part lacks.

The average benchmark scores position the Intel part higher overall: 105845 versus 95183 for AMD. The Intel Xeon 6521P sits at the 97th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD EPYC 4564P sits at the 96th. The database shows the Intel part's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon w7-3555, with a negligible -0.3% delta, while the AMD part's closest rival is the AMD EPYC 9175F at -0.5%. Both processors are active production parts, with the Intel part released on 2025-02-23 and the AMD part on 2024-05-20.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon 6521P has 24 cores and 48 threads. The AMD EPYC 4564P has 16 cores and 32 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part achieves a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz compared to 4.10 GHz for Intel.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The Intel Xeon 6521P supports eight-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. The AMD EPYC 4564P supports dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. This is a substantial difference in memory throughput capacity.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 4564P wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4292, which is 24.6% ahead of the Intel Xeon 6521P's score of 3238. However, the Intel part wins all Cinebench single-core tests, including the R23 single-core test by 1.9% (7998 versus 7848).

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two processors?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark physics, where the Intel Xeon 6521P scores 5972 versus 3392 for AMD, a 76.1% advantage. The second largest is PassMark find prime numbers at 53.4% in favor of Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6521P and the AMD EPYC 4564P support ECC memory. Both are classified in the Server/Workstation market segment.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values?

A: The Intel Xeon 6521P has a launch MSRP of $1250. The AMD EPYC 4564P has a launch MSRP of $699.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 6521P uses the Granite Rapids architecture, specifically the Xeon 6 generation (Granite Rapids-SP), built on a 5 nm process at Intel's foundry. The die size is 598 mm². The AMD EPYC 4564P uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael, part of the EPYC 4004 series. It is also built on a 5 nm process, but at TSMC, and uses a chiplet design with 2x 71 mm² dies and 13,140 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ markedly. The Intel part allocates 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 144 MB L3 cache. The AMD part allocates 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel L3 cache is more than double the AMD L3 cache, which helps explain its strong showing in multi-threaded workloads.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. Intel uses an eight-channel memory bus yielding 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while AMD uses a dual-channel bus yielding 83.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 136 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics.

The socket platforms are entirely different: Intel Socket 4710 versus AMD Socket AM5. The Intel part has a TDP of 225 watts, while the AMD part has a TDP of 170 watts. The AMD part has a significantly higher base clock of 4.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz, compared to Intel's 2.60 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field in the database. Core counts: Intel has 24 cores and 48 threads, AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads. Clock speeds: Intel base 2.60 GHz, boost 4.10 GHz; AMD base 4.50 GHz, boost 5.70 GHz. TDP: Intel 225 watts, AMD 170 watts.

Sockets: Intel Socket 4710 versus AMD Socket AM5. Process node is the same at 5 nm, but the foundry differs: Intel for the Xeon, TSMC for the EPYC. Die size: Intel 598 mm² versus AMD 2x 71 mm². The AMD part lists 13,140 million transistors; the Intel part does not list a transistor count.

Cache: Intel L1 112 KB per core, L2 2 MB per core, L3 144 MB shared. AMD L1 64 KB per core, L2 1 MB per core, L3 64 MB shared. Memory bus: Intel eight-channel, AMD dual-channel. Memory bandwidth: Intel 409.6 GB/s, AMD 83.2 GB/s. PCIe: Intel Gen 5 with 136 lanes, AMD Gen 5 with 28 lanes. Integrated graphics: Intel N/A, AMD Radeon Graphics.

Release dates: Intel 2025-02-23, AMD 2024-05-20. Part numbers: Intel SRVNS, AMD 100-000001476. The launch MSRP for Intel is $1250, for AMD $699. Both have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon 6521P wins every Cinebench test by a consistent 1.9% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 56658 versus AMD's 55592. In R23 single-core, Intel scores 7998 versus 7848. The same 1.9% delta appears in R20 multi-core (23796 versus 23348), R20 single-core (3359 versus 3296), R15 multi-core (5711 versus 5603), and R15 single-core (806 versus 791). This uniformity suggests the Intel architecture holds a small but consistent efficiency edge in rendering workloads.

PassMark tests show larger swings. Data compression favors Intel by 12.8%: 967721 versus 858105. Data encryption is nearly tied, with Intel ahead by just 1% (51221 versus 50708). Extended instructions favor Intel by 15.3% (72820 versus 63136). Find prime numbers is a 53.4% Intel win (560 versus 365). Floating point math is a 26.8% Intel win (178828 versus 141017). Integer math is a 7.7% Intel win (246263 versus 228761). Multithread is a 3.6% Intel win (66657 versus 64357).

The physics test produces the largest delta: Intel 5972 versus AMD 3392, a 76.1% advantage. Random string sorting is close, with Intel ahead by 1.3% (104517 versus 103202). The only AMD wins come in PassMark single-thread tests, where AMD scores 4292 versus Intel's 3238, a 24.6% margin in both the "single_thread" and "singlethread" entries.

The average benchmark score for Intel is 105845, placing it at the 97th percentile. The AMD part averages 95183, at the 96th percentile. The Intel part's nearest rival in the database is the Intel Xeon w7-3555 with a delta of -0.3%, while the AMD part's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 9175F at -0.5%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6521P is the dominant choice for compute-heavy, multi-threaded server workloads. Its 76.1% lead in PassMark physics and 53.4% lead in prime number finding indicate strong raw computational throughput. The 26.8% advantage in floating point math and 15.3% advantage in extended instructions point to scientific computing and simulation workloads. The 12.8% lead in data compression suggests file storage and database compression tasks benefit from the Intel architecture.

The eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth gives the Intel part a massive memory throughput advantage over the AMD part's dual-channel 83.2 GB/s. This likely explains the consistent Cinebench wins and the strong PassMark multithread performance. The larger 144 MB shared L3 cache versus 64 MB also supports memory-intensive workloads.

The AMD EPYC 4564P wins in single-threaded PassMark tests by 24.6%, making it the choice for lightly threaded applications where per-core speed matters. Its higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz versus 4.10 GHz and higher base clock of 4.50 GHz versus 2.60 GHz align with this result. The lower TDP of 170 watts versus 225 watts also suggests it may be easier to cool in dense deployments.

The AMD part includes integrated Radeon Graphics, which is absent from the Intel part. This could matter for systems requiring a display output without a discrete GPU. The AMD part also uses the AM5 socket, which is a desktop-oriented platform, while the Intel part uses Socket 4710, a server platform.

In the database's rivalry data, the Intel Xeon 6521P sits 2.4% above the AMD EPYC 8324P and 2.6% below the Intel Xeon w7-2595X. The AMD EPYC 4564P sits 1.5% above the Intel Xeon 6520P and 0.5% below the AMD EPYC 9175F. These positions confirm that both processors are competitive within their respective tiers, with the Intel part holding a higher average benchmark score overall.