AMD EPYC 7763 vs Intel Xeon 6740P Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7763 and Intel Xeon 6740P are both 98th-percentile server processors, but they achieve that status through very different designs. The EPYC 7763 leans on 64 Zen 3 cores and massive cache, while the Xeon 6740P counters with 48 newer Granite Rapids cores, higher clocks, and faster memory. Benchmark results show the Xeon 6740P winning 12 of 16 head-to-head tests, but the EPYC 7763 takes decisive victories in encryption, integer math, and data compression. The choice comes down to workload: the EPYC 7763 is the data-crunching specialist, while the Xeon 6740P is the general-purpose performer with a significant single-thread advantage.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Xeon 6740P as the better all-around processor for most server workloads. It wins the majority of benchmark comparisons, including every Cinebench test, with a consistent 3.9% margin across both single-core and multi-core render tasks. Its average benchmark score of 176,227 trails the EPYC 7763’s 179,916 by only 2.1%, but its wins are more numerous and spread across diverse test types.

The AMD EPYC 7763 is the pick for specific, high-value tasks. It dominates in data encryption with a 47.5% lead, integer math with a 33.1% advantage, and also wins in data compression (6%) and random string sorting (4.4%). If your workload involves heavy encryption, database integer operations, or compression pipelines, the EPYC 7763’s four focused wins outweigh the Xeon’s twelve narrower victories.

For single-threaded performance, the Xeon 6740P is the clear choice. It leads by 15.4% in PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 2,975 versus 2,518. This advantage carries through to physics simulations, where the Xeon leads by 20.6% (9,705 vs 7,708). The Xeon also wins in extended instructions by 16% and prime number finding by 18.7%.

The EPYC 7763 should be selected for encryption-heavy, integer-heavy, or compression-heavy environments where its 64 cores and 256 MB of L3 cache can be fully utilized. The Xeon 6740P is the safer default choice for mixed workloads, especially those with significant single-threaded components or floating-point math requirements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing nodes. The AMD EPYC 7763 uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, built as Milan. It packs 64 cores and 128 threads into eight chiplet dies, each 81 mm², totaling 33,200 million transistors. The Intel Xeon 6740P uses the Granite Rapids architecture on Intel’s 5 nm process, with 48 cores and 96 threads across two large dies of 598 mm² each.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The EPYC 7763 provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 256 MB L3 cache. The Xeon 6740P offers larger per-core caches at 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, plus a slightly larger 288 MB shared L3. This means the Xeon has more cache per core, which helps explain its single-thread advantage, while the EPYC’s total cache is smaller but still substantial.

Memory architecture is a major differentiator. The EPYC 7763 supports DDR4 with eight-channel memory and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon 6740P moves to DDR5 with eight-channel memory and exactly double the bandwidth at 409.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the EPYC 7763 provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the Xeon 6740P offers Gen 5 with 88 lanes.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon in boost but the EPYC in base. The EPYC 7763 runs at 2.45 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The Xeon 6740P runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The higher boost clock contributes to the Xeon’s single-thread wins, despite the EPYC’s higher base clock for sustained all-core loads.

Power and socket are also different. The EPYC 7763 has a 280 W TDP on AMD Socket SP3, while the Xeon 6740P has a 270 W TDP on Intel Socket 4710. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The EPYC 7763 launched in March 2021 with a launch MSRP of $7890. The Xeon 6740P launched in February 2025 with a launch MSRP of $4650.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon 6740P wins every Cinebench test by the same 3.9% margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 7,544 against the EPYC’s 7,247. Single-core R15 shows 1,065 versus 1,023. R20 multi-core gives the Xeon 31,437 against 30,198, and single-core 4,438 versus 4,263. R23 multi-core sees the Xeon at 74,851 and the EPYC at 71,902. This consistency suggests the Xeon’s architectural efficiency and higher boost clocks provide a uniform advantage in render workloads.

The EPYC 7763’s biggest win is in data encryption, where it scores 121,001 against the Xeon’s 82,028 — a 47.5% lead. This is a massive margin that indicates the EPYC’s 64 cores excel at parallel encryption tasks. Integer math shows a 33.1% EPYC advantage, with 516,920 versus 388,500. Data compression goes to the EPYC at 1,628,973 versus 1,537,129, a 6% lead. Random string sorting is close, with the EPYC winning 182,676 versus 175,015, a 4.4% margin.

The Xeon 6740P’s wins beyond Cinebench include PassMark physics at 9,705 versus 7,708, a 20.6% lead. Extended instructions favor the Xeon 116,992 versus 98,294, a 16% margin. Prime number finding goes to the Xeon at 822 versus 668, an 18.7% lead. Floating-point math is close, with the Xeon winning 296,102 versus 287,919, a 2.8% edge. PassMark multi-thread gives the Xeon 88,061 versus 84,591, a 3.9% win. Single-thread tests show the Xeon at 2,975 versus 2,518, a 15.4% advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7763 | Intel Xeon 6740P |

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

| Cores | 64 | 48 |

| Threads | 128 | 96 |

| Base Clock | 2.45 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 270 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 4710 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Granite Rapids |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 8x 81 mm² | 2x 598 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 256 MB (shared) | 288 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | N/A |

| Release Date | 2021-03-14 | 2025-02-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $7890 | $4650 |

| Part Number | 100-000000312100-000000312WOF | SRV5R |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7763 has 64 cores and 128 threads, compared to the Intel Xeon 6740P’s 48 cores and 96 threads. The EPYC also has a higher base clock at 2.45 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Q: Why does the Intel Xeon 6740P win so many benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: The Xeon 6740P has a higher boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.50 GHz), larger per-core caches (112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 versus 64 KB and 512 KB), and double the memory bandwidth (409.6 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s). These factors contribute to its 15.4% single-thread lead and consistent 3.9% win margin across Cinebench tests.

Q: In which workloads does the AMD EPYC 7763 have the largest advantage?

A: The EPYC 7763 leads by 47.5% in data encryption (121,001 versus 82,028) and by 33.1% in integer math (516,920 versus 388,500). It also wins in data compression by 6% and random string sorting by 4.4%.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The EPYC 7763 uses DDR4 with eight-channel memory and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon 6740P uses DDR5 with eight-channel memory and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth — exactly double. Both support ECC memory.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: The EPYC 7763 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon 6740P offers PCIe Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC has more lanes, while the Xeon has a newer generation.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD EPYC 7763 has a higher average benchmark score of 179,916, compared to the Intel Xeon 6740P’s 176,227. This represents a 2.1% difference in favor of the EPYC, despite the Xeon winning more individual tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7763 wins in four benchmark categories, each with substantial margins. Data encryption is its strongest domain, with a 47.5% lead that makes it the obvious choice for cryptographic workloads, secure communications, or any task involving heavy AES operations. Integer math shows a 33.1% advantage, making it well-suited for database indexing, financial calculations, or any workload dominated by integer arithmetic. Data compression and random string sorting are smaller wins (6% and 4.4% respectively), but they reinforce the EPYC’s strength in data manipulation and sorting tasks. These wins align with its 64-core design and 256 MB L3 cache, which allow massive parallel processing of data-centric operations.

The Intel Xeon 6740P wins in twelve categories, making it the more versatile processor. Its most significant wins are in physics simulations (20.6% lead), prime number finding (18.7%), and extended instructions (16%). These suggest strong performance in scientific computing, mathematical modeling, and workloads that leverage modern instruction sets. The single-thread advantage of 15.4% makes it better for lightly-threaded applications, database queries with low parallelism, or any software that doesn’t scale well across many cores. Its consistent 3.9% lead across all Cinebench tests indicates solid all-core render performance, while the floating-point math win (2.8%) makes it suitable for scientific calculations and 3D rendering.

For a practical split: choose the EPYC 7763 for encryption gateways, database servers with heavy integer workloads, and data compression pipelines. Choose the Xeon 6740P for general-purpose virtualization hosts, mixed enterprise workloads, scientific computing, and any environment where single-threaded performance matters. The Xeon’s higher boost clock, DDR5 bandwidth, and larger per-core cache make it the better default, but the EPYC’s specialized wins are large enough to justify its selection in the right niche.