AMD EPYC 7663 vs Intel Xeon 6740E Comparison

The Verdict

The data splits these two server CPUs into distinct roles. The AMD EPYC 7663 wins 12 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test and the PassMark multithread, single-thread, physics, prime number, and integer math tests. It is the stronger all-around compute engine, especially for workloads that favor higher clock speeds and per-core efficiency. The Intel Xeon 6740E wins 5 benchmarks, but those wins are concentrated in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, and random string sorting. If your work is dominated by those specific tasks, the Intel part is the clear pick. For general server virtualization, database work, or mixed compute, the EPYC 7663 delivers more consistent performance across the board. The Xeon 6740E sits at the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the EPYC 7663 sits at the 98th, so both are elite parts, but the average benchmark score tells the story: the Xeon averages 187,718, while the EPYC averages 161,973. That gap is driven by the Xeon's massive wins in specialized throughput tests, not by typical compute loads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6740E is the specialist. Its 23.5% lead in data compression (1,786,845 vs 1,447,020) and 22.7% lead in data encryption (137,106 vs 111,725) are the largest deltas of any test. Floating-point math also favors Intel by 23% (309,333 vs 251,535), and random string sorting is 19.7% ahead (220,684 vs 184,367). These are workloads that benefit from the Xeon's high core count (96 cores) and efficient Sierra Forest architecture. If your server handles backup compression, encrypted storage, or scientific floating-point arrays, the Intel part wins outright.

The AMD EPYC 7663 is the generalist. It wins every Cinebench test by a consistent 7.2%, from single-core to multi-core. In PassMark multithread, it leads 82,087 vs 76,167, a 7.2% edge. Single-thread performance is its biggest win: 2,606 vs 1,997, a 23.4% lead. Physics simulation (8,020 vs 7,608, 5.1% ahead) and prime number finding (676 vs 526, 22.2% ahead) also go AMD's way. The EPYC's 56 cores and 112 threads with Zen 3 architecture provide better per-thread throughput, which matters for transactional databases, code compilation, and general virtualization. Integer math is nearly a tie, with AMD ahead only 2.2% (468,096 vs 457,614).

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on opposite design philosophies. Intel uses Sierra Forest, a 5 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with 96 cores and 96 threads. That is a 1:1 core-to-thread ratio, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. Each core has 96 KB of L1 cache, and each module carries 4 MB of L2. The shared L3 cache is 96 MB. The die measures 578 mm². This is a density-optimized design, favoring many physical cores over thread duplication.

AMD uses Zen 3, the Milan architecture, on a 7 nm process from TSMC. It has 56 cores and 112 threads, so each core supports two threads. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core, and the shared L3 is a massive 256 MB. The package uses 8 chiplets, each 81 mm² in size, with 33,200 million transistors total. That large L3 cache is a key advantage for workloads with large working sets that fit in cache.

Memory support differs significantly. The Intel part uses DDR5 with eight channels and 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD part uses DDR4 with eight channels and 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon has double the memory bandwidth, which explains its wins in data-heavy tests like compression and encryption. PCIe also differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 88 lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes. The EPYC has more lanes for expansion, but the Xeon has faster lanes for each device.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-thread performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7663 wins decisively. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 2,606 versus Intel's 1,997, a 23.4% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core also favors AMD, 9,850 vs 9,140.

Q: Which CPU is better for encryption and compression?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E. Data compression shows a 23.5% lead (1,786,845 vs 1,447,020), and data encryption shows a 22.7% lead (137,106 vs 111,725). The higher memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s is a likely factor.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD EPYC 7663 wins every Cinebench multi-core test. In R23 multi-core, it scores 69,773 versus Intel's 64,741, a 7.2% lead. In R20 multi-core, it scores 29,304 versus 27,191, also a 7.2% lead.

Q: What is the core and thread difference?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 cores and 96 threads (no multithreading). The AMD EPYC 7663 has 56 cores and 112 threads (two threads per core). AMD has fewer physical cores but more total threads.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 7663 has a larger shared L3 cache at 256 MB, compared to Intel's 96 MB. AMD's L2 is 512 KB per core versus Intel's 4 MB per module. Intel's L1 is 96 KB per core versus AMD's 64 KB per core.

Q: Which CPU has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E, with 409.6 GB/s across eight DDR5 channels. The AMD EPYC 7663 provides 204.8 GB/s across eight DDR4 channels, exactly half the bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD EPYC 7663 is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 2,606 versus Intel's 1,997, a 23.4% delta. That is the single biggest gap in either direction. The next biggest AMD wins are prime number finding (676 vs 526, 22.2% ahead) and the entire Cinebench suite, which shows a uniform 7.2% advantage across R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core. In PassMark multithread, AMD leads 82,087 vs 76,167, again 7.2%. Physics simulation is closer, with AMD ahead 8,020 vs 7,608, a 5.1% margin. Integer math is nearly a dead heat, AMD ahead 468,096 vs 457,614, just 2.2%.

The Intel Xeon 6740E counters with four substantial wins. Data compression is its largest, scoring 1,786,845 versus AMD's 1,447,020, a 23.5% lead. Floating-point math follows at 309,333 vs 251,535, a 23% lead. Data encryption is close behind at 137,106 vs 111,725, a 22.7% margin. Random string sorting completes the set, 220,684 vs 184,367, a 19.7% lead. Extended instructions is a smaller win for Intel, 78,968 vs 73,719, a 7.1% edge. These five wins are all in throughput-heavy or specialized instruction workloads, while AMD's twelve wins cover the broader compute spectrum.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon 6740E | AMD EPYC 7663 |

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

| Cores | 96 | 56 |

| Threads | 96 | 112 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 250 W | 240 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 4710 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Process node | 5 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die size | 578 mm² | 8x 81 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 4 MB per module | 512 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 96 MB shared | 256 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 88 lanes | Gen 4, 128 lanes |

| Launch MSRP | $5265 | $6366 |

| Release date | 2024-06-02 | 2021-03-14 |

The Intel part launches with a lower MSRP, but the EPYC offers a higher boost clock (3.50 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) and more threads per core. The Xeon counters with double the memory bandwidth and a newer PCIe generation. The transistor count is only listed for AMD at 33,200 million, and the EPYC uses eight chiplets versus Intel's single 578 mm² die. Both support ECC memory and are unlocked for overclocking, with the Xeon having a launch MSRP of $5265 and the EPYC at $6366.