AMD EPYC 7763 vs Intel Xeon 6740E Comparison

The Intel Xeon 6740E and AMD EPYC 7763 represent two distinct philosophies for server processing, one built for high-density efficiency and the other for maximum multi-threaded throughput. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the AMD EPYC 7763 dominates in raw compute and single-threaded tasks, while the Intel Xeon 6740E wins specific data-handling and memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads. With 17 head-to-head comparisons, the EPYC 7763 takes 13 wins, but the Xeon 6740E’s four victories are significant in their respective domains.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7763 is the clear winner for general-purpose and high-performance computing workloads. Its victories span all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) in both multi-core and single-core tests, with a consistent 10% lead in each. It also wins PassMark’s integer math, extended instructions, prime number finding, and multithread tests. This pattern indicates a processor that excels in traditional compute-bound tasks, whether that involves rendering, scientific simulation, or complex logical operations.

The Intel Xeon 6740E, conversely, carves out its wins in data-centric workloads. It takes the PassMark data compression test with a 9.7% margin, data encryption with a 13.3% margin, floating-point math with a 7.4% margin, and random string sorting with a commanding 20.8% lead. These results suggest the Xeon 6740E is optimized for handling large datasets, cryptographic operations, and memory-bandwidth-heavy tasks. For workloads that shuffle data around, the Xeon 6740E is the superior choice.

The split is not just about which processor is faster, but what kind of work is being measured. The EPYC 7763’s 64 cores and 128 threads provide a massive parallel compute resource, while the Xeon 6740E’s 96 cores and 96 threads (without hyperthreading) focus on efficiency and memory throughput. This architectural difference manifests directly in the benchmark results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has an average benchmark score of 187,718, which is 4.2% higher than the AMD EPYC 7763’s average score of 179,916. This overall average is influenced by the Xeon’s large wins in specific PassMark tests, despite losing most head-to-head comparisons.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7763 wins all single-core tests. It scores 1,023 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 921 for the Intel Xeon 6740E, and 2,518 in PassMark single-thread versus 1,997. The EPYC 7763 leads by 10% in Cinebench and 20.7% in PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: Is the Intel Xeon 6740E better at any computational task?

A: Yes, the Xeon 6740E wins four specific PassMark tests: data compression, data encryption, floating-point math, and random string sorting. Its largest win is in random string sorting with a 20.8% margin, followed by data encryption with a 13.3% margin.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 cores and 96 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7763 has 64 cores and 128 threads. The EPYC 7763 uses simultaneous multithreading (SMT) to double its thread count, whereas the Xeon 6740E runs one thread per core.

Q: Which processor has the higher TDP?

A: The AMD EPYC 7763 has a higher TDP of 280 watts, compared to the Intel Xeon 6740E’s 250 watts. This is notable given that the Xeon 6740E has 32 more physical cores, suggesting the Intel processor is more power-efficient per core.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth specifications compare?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, while the AMD EPYC 7763 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Xeon 6740E has exactly double the memory bandwidth of the EPYC 7763.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the uniform 10% margin across all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7763 scores 7,247 against the Xeon 6740E’s 6,525, a 10% difference. The same 10% gap appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (30,198 vs 27,191) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (71,902 vs 64,741). This consistency suggests a fundamental performance advantage in the EPYC 7763’s Zen 3 architecture for these workloads.

Single-core Cinebench tests show the same 10% delta. The EPYC 7763 scores 1,023 in R15 single-core, 4,263 in R20 single-core, and 10,150 in R23 single-core, while the Xeon 6740E scores 921, 3,838, and 9,140 respectively. The EPYC 7763’s higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz compared to 3.20 GHz on the Xeon likely contributes to this consistent advantage.

The largest single victory for the AMD EPYC 7763 comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 668 against 526, a 21.3% margin. This is closely followed by the PassMark single-thread test, where the EPYC 7763 wins by 20.7% with a score of 2,518 versus 1,997. The extended instructions test also shows a significant 19.7% lead for the EPYC 7763 (98,294 vs 78,968).

The Intel Xeon 6740E’s wins are concentrated in memory-intensive operations. Its largest victory is in random string sorting, scoring 220,684 against 182,676, a 20.8% margin. Data encryption shows a 13.3% lead (137,106 vs 121,001), while data compression comes in at 9.7% (1,786,845 vs 1,628,973). Floating-point math is the closest Intel win, with a 7.4% margin (309,333 vs 287,919).

In the PassMark multithread test, the EPYC 7763 wins with 84,591 against 76,167, a 10% margin. Integer math also favors the EPYC 7763, with a score of 516,920 versus 457,614, an 11.5% difference. The physics test is the closest overall, with the EPYC 7763 winning by just 1.3% (7,708 vs 7,608).

Specification Differences

The core and thread configurations present a fundamental divergence. The Intel Xeon 6740E offers 96 cores and 96 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7763 provides 64 cores and 128 threads. This means the EPYC 7763 relies on hyperthreading to achieve its thread count, while the Xeon 6740E operates with one thread per core.

Clock speeds differ slightly, with the Xeon 6740E having a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The EPYC 7763 has a base clock of 2.45 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The EPYC 7763’s higher boost clock gives it an advantage in single-threaded workloads.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Xeon 6740E supports DDR5 memory with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the EPYC 7763 supports DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s. Both use eight-channel memory buses, but the Xeon 6740E’s newer memory technology provides exactly double the bandwidth.

TDP also differs, with the Xeon 6740E rated at 250 watts and the EPYC 7763 at 280 watts. The Xeon 6740E achieves its higher core count with a lower TDP, indicating better power efficiency. Sockets are incompatible: the Xeon 6740E uses Intel Socket 4710, while the EPYC 7763 uses AMD Socket SP3.

PCIe support varies as well. The Xeon 6740E provides Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC 7763 offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon 6740E has fewer lanes but a newer generation, while the EPYC 7763 provides more total lanes.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 6740E is built on Intel’s 5 nm process as part of the Sierra Forest architecture, specifically the Xeon 6 (Sierra Forest-SP) generation. It uses a die size of 578 mm². The AMD EPYC 7763 is based on TSMC’s 7 nm process with the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan, and uses 8x 81 mm² dies. The EPYC 7763 has 33,200 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon 6740E has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 4 MB of L2 cache per module, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7763 has a smaller 64 KB L1 cache per core, but a larger 512 KB L2 cache per core and a much larger 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7763’s 256 MB L3 cache is more than 2.5 times the size of the Xeon 6740E’s 96 MB L3 cache.

The process node difference is notable: Intel’s 5 nm versus TSMC’s 7 nm. This contributes to the Xeon 6740E’s ability to pack 96 cores into a single die while maintaining a lower TDP. The EPYC 7763 uses a chiplet design with eight separate dies, which is a different approach to scaling.

The Xeon 6740E was released on June 2, 2024, while the EPYC 7763 was released on March 14, 2021. This three-year gap explains the architectural advancements in the Xeon 6740E, including support for DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload type. For users running general-purpose compute workloads, rendering, or multi-threaded scientific applications, the AMD EPYC 7763 is the superior processor. It wins every Cinebench test by a consistent 10% margin and dominates PassMark’s integer math, extended instructions, and multithread tests. Its 128 threads and higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz provide a significant advantage in these scenarios.

The Intel Xeon 6740E is the better option for data-centric workloads that depend on memory bandwidth and specific instruction patterns. Its wins in data compression, data encryption, floating-point math, and random string sorting point to strengths in database operations, cryptography, and large-scale data manipulation. The Xeon 6740E’s 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is exactly double the EPYC 7763’s 204.8 GB/s, which directly explains its superiority in these tests.

The Xeon 6740E also offers an efficiency advantage, delivering 96 cores at a 250-watt TDP compared to the EPYC 7763’s 64 cores at 280 watts. For deployments where power consumption and core density matter, the Xeon 6740E is the more attractive option. Its average benchmark score of 187,718 is also 4.2% higher than the EPYC 7763’s 179,916, though this is skewed by the Xeon’s large wins in specific tests.

The verdict is not about which processor is better overall, but which is better for the intended use case. The EPYC 7763 is the compute champion, while the Xeon 6740E is the data-handling specialist. Users should select based on whether their primary workload is compute-bound or memory-bound.