AMD EPYC 7443P vs Intel Xeon 6731P Comparison

Intel Xeon 6731P vs AMD EPYC 7443P

The database places both processors in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are exceptional performers in their own right. The Intel Xeon 6731P, a Granite Rapids part, and the AMD EPYC 7443P, a Zen 3 Milan chip, take very different approaches to server workloads. The data shows a clear split: AMD wins most multi-threaded and single-threaded tests, while Intel dominates in specific compute-heavy instruction and floating-point workloads. With 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD EPYC 7443P takes 13 wins, while the Intel Xeon 6731P claims 4. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 87,756, while the AMD chip sits at 81,661, a result that reflects Intel’s strong showings in a few very heavy tests despite losing most individual comparisons.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is AMD’s consistent advantage across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD EPYC 7443P scores 4,881 against Intel’s 4,522, a delta of -7.4% for the Intel part. The same -7.4% delta appears in Cinebench R15 singlecore (689 vs 638), Cinebench R20 multicore (20,341 vs 18,845), and Cinebench R23 multicore (48,433 vs 44,871). Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a slightly narrower gap at -7.3% (2,871 vs 2,660), and Cinebench R23 singlecore repeats the -7.4% delta (6,837 vs 6,334). This uniformity suggests a fundamental per-clock advantage for the AMD architecture in rendering-style workloads, regardless of core count.

The Passmark suite reveals a more nuanced picture. In Passmark data compression, AMD wins with 820,859 against Intel’s 799,474, a modest -2.6% delta. Passmark data encryption shows the largest AMD victory: 57,263 vs 40,087, a -30% delta. Passmark integer math also favors AMD, with 232,632 vs 198,761 (-14.6%). Passmark multithread follows the Cinebench trend, with AMD at 56,981 and Intel at 52,790 (-7.4%). Passmark random string sorting goes to AMD, 95,581 vs 88,019 (-7.9%). The single-threaded Passmark tests are the most lopsided AMD wins: 2,907 vs 2,107, a -27.5% delta in both Passmark single_thread and Passmark singlethread.

Intel’s four wins are concentrated in areas that leverage its newer architecture. Passmark extended instructions shows Intel at 65,656 vs AMD’s 48,213, a 36.2% lead for Intel. Passmark find prime numbers gives Intel 541 vs 410, a 32% advantage. Passmark floating point math goes to Intel, 157,330 vs 129,932, a 21.1% lead. The largest Intel win is Passmark physics: 7,105 vs 4,748, a 49.6% delta. These results indicate that the Intel Xeon 6731P has a substantial edge in physics simulations, prime number calculations, and extended instruction set workloads, while the AMD part excels in encryption, integer math, and overall multi-threaded throughput.

The average benchmark score difference is worth noting. Intel’s 87,756 average is higher than AMD’s 81,661, despite AMD winning more individual tests. This happens because Intel’s wins come with large positive deltas (36.2%, 32%, 21.1%, 49.6%), while AMD’s wins often have smaller deltas (mostly -7.4% or -2.6%, with the notable -30% encryption result). The data suggests that for workloads that hit Intel’s strengths, the performance gap is massive, whereas AMD’s advantages are more incremental across a broader range of tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443P wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Xeon 6731P wins 4. The AMD part wins all six Cinebench tests, plus Passmark data compression, data encryption, integer math, multithread, random string sorting, and both single-thread tests. Intel wins Passmark extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, and physics.

Q: How large is AMD’s lead in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443P leads by -7.4% in Cinebench R15 singlecore (689 vs 638) and Cinebench R23 singlecore (6,837 vs 6,334), and by -7.3% in Cinebench R20 singlecore (2,871 vs 2,660). In Passmark single_thread and Passmark singlethread, AMD leads by -27.5%, scoring 2,907 against Intel’s 2,107.

Q: What is Intel’s biggest margin of victory?

A: Intel’s largest win is in Passmark physics, where the Xeon 6731P scores 7,105 against AMD’s 4,748, a 49.6% advantage. Intel also leads by 36.2% in Passmark extended instructions (65,656 vs 48,213), by 32% in Passmark find prime numbers (541 vs 410), and by 21.1% in Passmark floating point math (157,330 vs 129,932).

Q: What is AMD’s biggest margin of victory?

A: AMD’s largest win is in Passmark data encryption, scoring 57,263 against Intel’s 40,087, a -30% delta for Intel. The next largest AMD wins are -27.5% in both Passmark single-thread tests, followed by -14.6% in Passmark integer math (232,632 vs 198,761).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Xeon 6731P has an average benchmark score of 87,756, while the AMD EPYC 7443P has an average of 81,661. Despite AMD winning more individual tests, Intel’s average is higher because its wins have larger positive deltas. Intel’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6736P (87,864, -0.1%), Intel Xeon w7-2575X (88,172, -0.5%), AMD EPYC 7F72 (85,072, 3.2%), and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 (90,541, -3.1%). AMD’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900KS (81,127, 0.7%), Intel Xeon w5-3535X (81,115, 0.7%), AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX (81,103, 0.7%), and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 (80,762, 1.1%).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6731P and the AMD EPYC 7443P support ECC memory. Both use an eight-channel memory bus, but they support different memory types: Intel uses DDR5, while AMD uses DDR4.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 6731P is built on the Granite Rapids architecture, specifically from the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation. It uses a 5 nm process node fabricated by Intel itself. The die size is 598 mm². In contrast, the AMD EPYC 7443P uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan, from the EPYC 7003 series. It is built on a 7 nm process node by TSMC, with a transistor count of 16,600 million spread across 4 dies, each 81 mm², for a total die area of 4x 81 mm².

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Intel part has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 144 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of shared L3 cache. While Intel has more L3 cache overall, AMD’s per-core L2 cache is smaller, and its L1 is smaller too. The Intel part’s larger caches likely contribute to its strong performance in physics and extended instruction workloads.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. Intel supports DDR5 memory with a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, while AMD supports DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. Both use an eight-channel memory bus. The Intel part has double the memory bandwidth, which may explain its lead in floating point math and physics where memory throughput matters. PCIe support also differs: Intel offers PCIe Gen 5 with 136 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has a newer PCIe generation and more lanes.

The process node difference (5 nm vs 7 nm) reflects the generational gap. Intel’s Granite Rapids is a newer architecture released later, while AMD’s Milan is from an earlier generation. The Intel part has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the AMD part has 24 cores and 48 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part wins most multi-threaded benchmarks, which points to higher instructions per clock or better memory latency characteristics in those tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core count: Intel has 32 cores and 64 threads, AMD has 24 cores and 48 threads. Base clock: Intel runs at 2.50 GHz, AMD at 2.85 GHz. Boost clock: Intel reaches 4.10 GHz, AMD reaches 4.00 GHz. Thermal design power: Intel is rated at 245 W, AMD at 200 W. Socket: Intel uses Socket 4710, AMD uses Socket SP3. Process node: Intel uses 5 nm from Intel, AMD uses 7 nm from TSMC. Memory support: Intel uses DDR5, AMD uses DDR4. Memory bandwidth: Intel has 409.6 GB/s, AMD has 204.8 GB/s. PCIe: Intel has Gen 5 with 136 lanes, AMD has Gen 4 with 128 lanes. Release date: Intel released on 2025-02-23, AMD released on 2021-03-14. Launch MSRP: Intel is $2700, AMD is $1337.

The cache specifications also differ. Intel has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 144 MB L3 shared. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3 shared. The transistor count is only listed for AMD (16,600 million), not for Intel. The die size is 598 mm² for Intel and 4x 81 mm² for AMD. Both have integrated graphics listed as N/A or null, meaning neither has integrated graphics. Both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier. Both are active production parts for the server/workstation market segment.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation based on workload profile. The AMD EPYC 7443P is the better choice for general-purpose multi-threaded server workloads. It wins all six Cinebench tests, including a 48,433 vs 44,871 result in Cinebench R23 multicore. It also wins Passmark multithread (56,981 vs 52,790), integer math (232,632 vs 198,761), data compression (820,859 vs 799,474), and data encryption (57,263 vs 40,087). For tasks like database queries, encryption, compression, and standard rendering, AMD’s consistent -7.4% lead across Cinebench makes it the safer pick. The single-threaded advantage is also notable, with AMD leading by -27.5% in Passmark single-thread tests, which benefits lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Xeon 6731P is the better choice for specific compute-intensive workloads that exploit its architecture. The 49.6% lead in Passmark physics (7,105 vs 4,748) is substantial, suggesting a major advantage for simulation and physics-based workloads. The 36.2% lead in Passmark extended instructions (65,656 vs 48,213) indicates superiority in workloads using advanced instruction sets. The 32% lead in find prime numbers (541 vs 410) and 21.1% lead in floating point math (157,330 vs 129,932) reinforce this pattern. For scientific computing, numerical analysis, and workloads that rely heavily on floating point operations, the Intel part is clearly superior.

The average benchmark score of 87,756 for Intel versus 81,661 for AMD is misleading at first glance, since AMD wins more tests. The explanation is that Intel’s wins are decisive, while AMD’s wins are often narrow. The 49.6% physics win and the 36.2% extended instructions win pull Intel’s average up substantially. The AMD part’s wins, with the exception of the -30% encryption result, are mostly around -7.4%, which does not move its average as much.

For memory bandwidth sensitive workloads, Intel has a clear specification advantage with 409.6 GB/s of DDR5 bandwidth versus AMD’s 204.8 GB/s of DDR4. This likely contributes to Intel’s floating point math and physics wins. However, AMD’s higher base clock (2.85 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and higher single-core performance (2,907 vs 2,107 in Passmark singlethread) suggest that AMD is more efficient per thread. The lower TDP of 200 W for AMD versus 245 W for Intel also indicates better power efficiency, though the database does not provide measured power consumption.

The release dates matter for platform decisions. Intel’s 2025-02-23 release is recent, while AMD’s 2021-03-14 release is older. The Intel part uses a newer socket (4710) and PCIe Gen 5, while AMD uses Socket SP3 with PCIe Gen 4. For new server deployments, Intel’s newer platform offers more PCIe lanes (136 vs 128) and newer memory technology. For existing SP3 platforms, AMD’s part could be an easier drop-in upgrade.

In summary, the AMD EPYC 7443P wins the majority of benchmarks and offers better single-threaded and multi-threaded performance in most standard tests. The Intel Xeon 6731P is the pick for workloads that can leverage its strengths: physics, floating point math, extended instructions, and prime number calculations. The data does not support a single universal winner; it supports a workload-specific choice. If the workload is general server compute, choose AMD. If the workload is heavy on physics or numerical floating point, choose Intel.