AMD EPYC 7763 vs Intel Xeon 676X Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the database?

A: The Intel Xeon 676X wins 11 of the 16 head-to-head tests, while the AMD EPYC 7763 wins 5. However, the AMD part holds the larger individual margins in several workloads.

Q: How do the two compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD EPYC 7763 records an average benchmark score of 179,916, which is about 13.5% higher than the Intel Xeon 676X at 158,540. The AMD part sits in the 98th percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel part also sits in the 98th percentile.

Q: What is the biggest single-test win for the AMD EPYC 7763?

A: The largest AMD advantage appears in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 121,001 versus 67,638 for Intel, a 78.9% lead. It also wins integer math by 45.7% and random string sorting by 32.4%.

Q: What is the biggest single-test win for the Intel Xeon 676X?

A: The Intel part dominates in PassMark single-thread performance, scoring 4,015 versus 2,518, a 37.3% advantage. It also leads in prime number finding by 9.5% and in extended instructions by 6.6%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 7763 and the Intel Xeon 676X support ECC memory. Both also use an eight-channel memory bus, though the AMD part uses DDR4 while Intel uses DDR5.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7763 has 64 cores and 128 threads, exactly double the Intel Xeon 676X, which has 32 cores and 64 threads. Despite this, Intel wins most multi-threaded Cinebench tests.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7763 belongs to the EPYC 7003 series, built on the Zen 3 architecture under the Milan codename. It uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a transistor count of 33,200 million spread across 8 dies, each measuring 81 mm². The Intel Xeon 676X comes from the Xeon 600 family under the Granite Rapids-WS codename, using the Granite Rapids architecture on Intel's own 5 nm process, with a die size of 2x 598 mm². The process nodes and foundries differ fundamentally: TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel.

The cache structures diverge significantly. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 256 MB L3 cache. Intel provides 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 144 MB L3. Intel's per-core L2 is four times larger, while AMD's total L3 is substantially larger, which matters for workloads that repeatedly access a large working set.

Memory support also differs. AMD uses DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. Intel uses DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, exactly double. Both use eight-channel memory buses. On the PCIe front, AMD provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). Intel's integrated graphics is listed as N/A, while AMD has no integrated graphics listed.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket SP3, Intel uses Socket 4710. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part does not. The AMD part was released on 2021-03-14, while Intel's release is dated 2026-02-01. The AMD launch MSRP is $7890.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7763 wins where core count and large shared cache matter most. It dominates in data encryption by 78.9%, integer math by 45.7%, and random string sorting by 32.4%. These workloads scale with parallel execution and benefit from the 64-core, 128-thread configuration plus the 256 MB L3 cache. The data compression win of 20.1% reinforces this pattern: AMD's many cores can push through sorting and compression tasks faster than Intel's fewer, faster cores.

The Intel Xeon 676X wins in single-thread and lightly threaded workloads. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,015 versus 2,518 shows a 37.3% advantage, and the Cinebench single-core tests all show Intel ahead by roughly 7.1%. Intel also wins in extended instructions by 6.6%, physics by 6.9%, and prime number finding by 9.5%. These results align with the higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 3.50 GHz, and the larger per-core L2 cache. For workloads that rely on a single thread or a few threads, Intel's architecture is clearly stronger.

Multi-threaded rendering is a mixed picture. Intel wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) by about 7.2% each, despite having half the cores. At the same time, AMD wins PassMark multithread? No, Intel wins PassMark multithread by 7.2% as well. So Intel's efficiency per core, combined with its higher clocks and DDR5 bandwidth, allows it to outperform AMD's 64-core part in these specific rendering workloads. AMD's wins are concentrated in integer-heavy and memory-intensive data operations.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The AMD EPYC 7763 has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Xeon 676X has 32 cores and 64 threads. The base clock is 2.45 GHz for AMD and 2.80 GHz for Intel; the boost clock is 3.50 GHz for AMD and 4.90 GHz for Intel. The thermal design power is 280 W for AMD and 275 W for Intel, a difference of only 5 W.

The process node is 7 nm for AMD and 5 nm for Intel. AMD has 33,200 million transistors across 8x 81 mm² dies; Intel's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 2x 598 mm². The L1 cache is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 112 KB per core for Intel. The L2 cache is 512 KB per core versus 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 256 MB shared for AMD versus 144 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support: AMD uses DDR4, Intel uses DDR5. Both have eight-channel buses, but the bandwidth is 204.8 GB/s for AMD and 409.6 GB/s for Intel. Both support ECC memory. PCIe: AMD is Gen 4 with 128 lanes, Intel is Gen 5 with 128 lanes. The Intel part has integrated graphics listed as N/A; AMD has none listed. The AMD socket is SP3, the Intel socket is 4710. The AMD part number is 100-000000312100-000000312WOF; the Intel part number is SA2CY. AMD's multiplier is locked, Intel's is unlocked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern: Intel wins every test by roughly 7%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 7,806 versus AMD's 7,247, a 7.2% lead. In R15 single-core, Intel leads 1,101 to 1,023, a 7.1% margin. R20 multi-core: Intel 32,527 versus AMD 30,198, again 7.2%. R20 single-core: Intel 4,591 versus 4,263, 7.1%. R23 multi-core: Intel 77,447 versus 71,902, 7.2%. These results are remarkably consistent, suggesting a stable architectural advantage in rendering workloads rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark single-thread is the most lopsided Intel win. Intel scores 4,015 versus AMD's 2,518, a 37.3% advantage. The same score appears for passmark_singlethread, confirming the result. This is Intel's biggest margin in any test. In extended instructions, Intel leads 105,231 to 98,294, a 6.6% edge. In prime number finding, Intel leads 738 to 668, a 9.5% margin. In physics, Intel leads 8,281 to 7,708, a 6.9% edge. In PassMark multithread, Intel leads 91,115 to 84,591, a 7.2% margin.

AMD's wins are larger in percentage terms. Data encryption is the standout: AMD scores 121,001 versus 67,638, a 78.9% lead. Integer math follows: AMD 516,920 versus 354,777, a 45.7% advantage. Random string sorting: AMD 182,676 versus 137,976, a 32.4% lead. Data compression: AMD 1,628,973 versus 1,355,807, a 20.1% margin. Floating point math is close: AMD 287,919 versus 283,570, a 1.5% edge. Overall, AMD wins 5 tests and Intel wins 11, but AMD's average score is higher because its wins are much larger in relative terms.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split by workload type. The AMD EPYC 7763 is the choice for data-heavy, parallel integer workloads: encryption, integer math, string sorting, and compression. Its 64 cores and 256 MB L3 cache deliver margins of 20% to 79% over Intel in these areas. The average benchmark score of 179,916, which is about 13.5% above Intel's 158,540, reflects this strength in aggregate. The AMD part also sits at the 98th percentile of all CPUs.

The Intel Xeon 676X is the choice for single-thread performance and rendering workloads. Its 37.3% lead in PassMark single-thread, combined with consistent 7% wins across all Cinebench tests, makes it the stronger part for applications that favor high clocks and per-core efficiency. The 4.90 GHz boost clock and doubled memory bandwidth clearly contribute to these results. The Intel part also sits at the 98th percentile.

For buyers who prioritize encryption, integer processing, and data transformation, the AMD EPYC 7763 offers the larger wins. For buyers who prioritize single-thread response, rendering, and workloads that scale with clock speed, the Intel Xeon 676X is the better fit. The benchmark results do not show a single overall winner; they show two processors optimized for different segments of the server and workstation market.