AMD EPYC 7443P vs Intel Xeon 654 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two server processors. The Intel Xeon 654 wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD EPYC 7443P takes 5. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Intel Xeon 654 dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 5256 against 4881 for the EPYC, a 7.7% advantage. The same 7.7% delta appears in Cinebench R15 singlecore (742 vs 689), Cinebench R20 multicore (21903 vs 20341), Cinebench R20 singlecore (3092 vs 2871), Cinebench R23 multicore (52150 vs 48433), and Cinebench R23 singlecore (7362 vs 6837). This consistency across all six Cinebench tests suggests a fundamental per-thread performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Passmark suite shows a more varied picture. The Xeon 654 leads in Passmark single-thread with 3778 against 2907, a substantial 30% margin. Extended instructions also favor Intel heavily: 63539 vs 48213, a 31.8% gap. Floating point math goes to Intel at 163093 vs 129932, a 25.5% lead. Physics tests show Intel ahead by 17.9% (5596 vs 4748), and multithread performance favors Intel by 7.7% (61353 vs 56981).

The AMD EPYC 7443P, despite having fewer wins, posts some impressive victories. Data encryption is its strongest showing: 57263 vs 40675, a 29% lead for AMD. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 13.3% (95581 vs 82828). Integer math favors AMD at 232632 vs 207745, a 10.7% margin. Find prime numbers is close, with AMD ahead by 4.9% (410 vs 390). Data compression is nearly identical, with AMD edging out Intel by just 0.2% (820859 vs 818902).

The average benchmark scores place these processors in the same percentile bracket. Both sit at the 96th percentile among all CPUs. The Xeon 654 has an average benchmark score of 90717, while the EPYC 7443P averages 81661. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 (delta 0.2%), AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (delta -0.5%), Intel Xeon w7-2575X (delta 2.9%), and Intel Xeon 6736P (delta 3.2%). The EPYC 7443P's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-14900KS (delta 0.7%), Intel Xeon w5-3535X (delta 0.7%), AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX (delta 0.7%), and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 (delta 1.1%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon 654 uses the Granite Rapids architecture, built on a 5 nm process at Intel's own foundry. Its die consists of 2x 598 mm² tiles. The AMD EPYC 7443P uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan, manufactured on TSMC's 7 nm process. Its die layout is 4x 81 mm², and it carries 16,600 million transistors.

Core counts differ notably. The EPYC 7443P has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Xeon 654 has 18 cores and 36 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Xeon 654 achieves higher multicore scores in Cinebench and Passmark multithread tests. This points to a significant per-core performance edge for Intel, amplified by higher clock speeds.

Clock speeds tell part of the story. The Xeon 654 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The EPYC 7443P runs at 2.85 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Both processors carry a 200 W TDP, meaning the Xeon delivers its performance advantage within the same power envelope.

Cache hierarchies are organized differently. The Xeon 654 provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 72 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7443P has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's larger L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in integer-heavy and sorting workloads.

Memory architecture diverges sharply. The Xeon 654 supports DDR5 with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The EPYC 7443P uses DDR4, also eight-channel, but with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. That is exactly half the memory bandwidth of the Intel part. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation. The Xeon 654 provides Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC 7443P provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part offers newer PCIe technology at the same lane count.

The Xeon 654 is a newer release, with a launch date in 2026-02-01, while the EPYC 7443P launched on 2021-03-14. The Xeon 654 has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the EPYC 7443P does not. The Xeon belongs to the Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) generation, and the EPYC belongs to the EPYC 7003 series.

The Verdict

The data points to distinct roles for each processor. The Intel Xeon 654 is the stronger choice for single-threaded performance, floating point math, extended instruction workloads, and physics simulations. Its 30% lead in Passmark single-thread and 31.8% lead in extended instructions are decisive. The consistent 7.7% advantage across all Cinebench tests reinforces this.

The AMD EPYC 7443P is preferable for encryption, integer math, random string sorting, and prime number finding. Its 29% lead in data encryption is the largest margin in either direction. The 10.7% advantage in integer math and 13.3% in random string sorting show clear strengths in those specific areas.

For multithreaded general-purpose compute, the Xeon 654 holds a 7.7% edge in Passmark multithread and matches that margin in Cinebench multicore tests. The EPYC's 24 cores do not overcome the Xeon's higher clock speeds and newer architecture.

Both processors sit at the 96th percentile, meaning either is a high-end choice. The Xeon 654's average score of 90717 places it 11.1% above the EPYC 7443P average of 81661. The Xeon 654 also offers DDR5 memory with double the memory bandwidth, a significant advantage for memory-sensitive workloads.

Specification Differences

The following table lists only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Field | Intel Xeon 654 | AMD EPYC 7443P |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 18 | 24 |

| Threads | 36 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.85 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 4710 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Granite Rapids | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Granite Rapids | Milan |

| Generation | Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) | EPYC (Zen 3 (Milan)) |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | not specified | 16,600 million |

| Die Size | 2x 598 mm² | 4x 81 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 72 MB (shared) | 128 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 128 Lanes | Gen 4, 128 Lanes |

| Release Date | 2026-02-01 | 2021-03-14 |

| Launch MSRP | $1199 | $1337 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SA2DP | 100-000000342100-100000342WOF |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443P has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon 654 has 18 cores and 36 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Xeon 654 wins Passmark single-thread with 3778 vs 2907, a 30% advantage. It also leads all Cinebench singlecore tests by 7.7%.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon 654 has 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth with DDR5, exactly double the EPYC 7443P's 204.8 GB/s with DDR4.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443P has 128 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 72 MB on the Intel Xeon 654.

Q: Which processor wins in data encryption?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443P scores 57263 vs 40675, a 29% lead over the Intel Xeon 654.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 654 and AMD EPYC 7443P have ECC memory support.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 654 wins in rendering and general compute. All six Cinebench tests go to Intel with a uniform 7.7% margin. The 52150 Cinebench R23 multicore score against 48433 shows that even with fewer cores, the higher clocks and newer architecture carry the day. The Xeon also takes Passmark multithread by 7.7% and physics by 17.9%.

The Xeon 654 is the clear choice for floating point math. Its 163093 score beats the EPYC's 129932 by 25.5%. Extended instruction workloads favor Intel by 31.8%, the largest win for either processor outside of encryption. Single-threaded responsiveness belongs to Intel, with a 30% margin in Passmark single-thread.

The AMD EPYC 7443P wins in security and encryption workloads. The 29% lead in data encryption (57263 vs 40675) is the most decisive result in the entire comparison. For integer math, the EPYC's 232632 score against 207745 represents a 10.7% advantage. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 13.3%, and prime number finding by 4.9%. Data compression is essentially tied, with AMD ahead by just 0.2%.

For memory-bound applications, the Xeon 654 has a theoretical edge with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth versus 204.8 GB/s. The EPYC 7443P compensates with a larger 128 MB L3 cache. The choice between these two processors depends on workload mix: Intel for floating point, single-thread, and memory bandwidth; AMD for encryption, integer, and sorting workloads.