AMD EPYC 9354 vs Intel Xeon 674X Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 674X leads with an average benchmark score of 143,103, while the AMD EPYC 9354 trails at 126,810. The Intel chip also sits at the 98th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the EPYC's 97th percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 674X scores 71,566 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 15.9% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9354's score of 61,722. This margin is consistent across most Cinebench tests.

Q: Where does the AMD EPYC 9354 outperform the Intel Xeon 674X?

A: The EPYC 9354 wins in four of the sixteen head-to-head tests: data encryption (71,400 vs 61,195), find prime numbers (934 vs 693), physics (9,281 vs 7,586), and random string sorting (140,690 vs 127,529).

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the Intel Xeon 674X scores 3,933 versus 2,601 for the AMD EPYC 9354, a massive 51.2% advantage for Intel. This is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any benchmark.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 9354 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Xeon 674X has 28 cores and 56 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel processor still wins in 12 of the 16 head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values for these processors?

A: The Intel Xeon 674X has a launch MSRP of $2,199, while the AMD EPYC 9354 has a launch MSRP of $3,420.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 674X is built on Granite Rapids architecture, part of the Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) generation. It uses a 5 nm process node manufactured by Intel itself. The chip features 28 cores and 56 threads, with a die size of 2x 598 mm². Cache allocation includes 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a large 144 MB shared L3 cache.

The AMD EPYC 9354 comes from the EPYC 9004 series, codenamed Genoa, and represents the Zen 4 architecture. It also uses a 5 nm process node, but fabricated by TSMC. The EPYC packs 32 cores and 64 threads into eight chiplets, each measuring 72 mm², for a total die area of 8x 72 mm². The transistor count is listed at 52,560 million. Its cache hierarchy differs significantly: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a substantially larger 256 MB shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds favor Intel in this matchup. The Xeon 674X has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The EPYC 9354 has a slightly higher base clock at 3.25 GHz but a much lower boost clock of 3.80 GHz. This explains why Intel dominates in single-thread workloads, where boost frequency is critical.

Memory architecture also differs. The Xeon 674X uses an eight-channel DDR5 memory bus, delivering 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The EPYC 9354 steps up to a twelve-channel DDR5 configuration, achieving 460.8 GB/s. Both platforms support ECC memory, which is essential for server and workstation reliability.

PCIe connectivity is identical on paper: both offer Gen 5 with 128 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon 674X has no integrated graphics, while the EPYC 9354's integrated graphics field is not specified. The Xeon 674X features an unlocked multiplier, whereas the EPYC 9354's multiplier is locked.

The Intel Xeon 674X was released on 2026-02-01, while the AMD EPYC 9354 launched much earlier on 2022-11-09. Both are currently active in production and target the server and workstation market segments.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear pattern: Intel wins the vast majority of tests, often by double-digit margins, while AMD takes a handful of specialized workloads. Across all 16 head-to-head comparisons, the Xeon 674X secures 12 victories against 4 for the EPYC 9354.

Starting with Cinebench, Intel's dominance is consistent and striking. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon 674X scores 7,213 against the EPYC's 6,221, a 15.9% advantage. Single-core R15 sees the identical margin, with scores of 1,018 and 878. The R20 tests follow the same pattern: multi-core at 30,057 versus 25,923 (15.9% delta) and single-core at 4,243 versus 3,659 (16% delta). Cinebench R23 multi-core closes the Cinebench set with Intel ahead at 71,566 versus 61,722, again a 15.9% margin.

In PassMark's integer math test, the Xeon 674X edges out the EPYC by a narrow 1.4%, scoring 308,968 versus 304,828. Floating-point math tells a different story, with Intel posting a commanding 29.1% lead: 243,877 against 188,894. Extended instructions also favor Intel at 97,373 versus 86,176, a 13% difference. Data compression goes to Intel by 5.8%, with scores of 1,236,272 and 1,168,626.

The PassMark multi-thread test reinforces Intel's overall lead, showing 84,196 versus 72,615 for a 15.9% advantage. Single-thread results are even more lopsided: Intel scores 3,933 against AMD's 2,601, representing a 51.2% gap that stands as the largest margin in the entire comparison.

AMD's wins are concentrated in specific workloads. Data encryption shows the EPYC ahead at 71,400 versus 61,195, a 14.3% advantage. Find prime numbers is another clear win for AMD: 934 versus 693, a 25.8% margin. Physics simulation goes to AMD at 9,281 versus 7,586, an 18.3% lead. Random string sorting rounds out AMD's victories at 140,690 versus 127,529, a 9.4% difference.

Looking at the rival context, the Xeon 674X's nearest competitors in the database include the Intel Xeon 6732P (delta -0.2%), AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D (-0.4%), Intel Xeon w9-3575X (-0.8%), and AMD EPYC 7643P (-1.2%). The EPYC 9354 sits near the Intel Xeon 6730P (+1.6%), AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX (+2.1%), AMD EPYC 7642 (+2.3%), and trails the Intel Xeon 6710E by 2.4%.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. Core count differs: the Xeon 674X has 28 cores and 56 threads, while the EPYC 9354 has 32 cores and 64 threads. Base clocks are close, 3.00 GHz versus 3.25 GHz, but boost clocks diverge sharply at 4.90 GHz for Intel versus 3.80 GHz for AMD.

Thermal design power shows a modest difference: 270 W for the Xeon 674X and 280 W for the EPYC 9354. Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 4710, while AMD uses Socket SP5. The process node is identical at 5 nm, but the foundries differ: Intel for the Xeon, TSMC for the EPYC.

Die size is a major structural difference. The Xeon 674X measures 2x 598 mm², while the EPYC 9354 uses 8x 72 mm² chiplets. The transistor count for the EPYC is specified at 52,560 million, while the Xeon's transistor count is not listed.

Cache configurations are markedly different. The Xeon 674X has 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with a 144 MB shared L3. The EPYC 9354 has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with a 256 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on AMD's side is notable, but it does not translate into a performance advantage in most tests.

Memory channels favor AMD at twelve channels versus eight, and memory bandwidth follows suit: 460.8 GB/s versus 409.6 GB/s. Both support DDR5 and ECC. PCIe is identical: Gen 5 with 128 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon 674X has no integrated graphics, while the EPYC's integrated graphics are unspecified.

The multiplier is unlocked on the Intel part but locked on the AMD part. Release dates are years apart: the Xeon 674X launched on 2026-02-01, and the EPYC 9354 launched on 2022-11-09. The launch MSRP values are $2,199 for Intel and $3,420 for AMD.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for most workloads. The Intel Xeon 674X is the stronger processor in the majority of benchmarks, winning 12 of 16 head-to-head tests. Its single-thread performance is exceptional, with a 51.2% lead over the EPYC 9354, and it maintains double-digit advantages in Cinebench tests across the board. For general compute, rendering, floating-point math, and data compression, the Xeon 674X is the clear choice.

The AMD EPYC 9354 has its own strengths. It wins in data encryption, prime number finding, physics simulation, and random string sorting. These are specialized workloads where AMD's architecture shows an edge. Additionally, the EPYC offers more cores, more threads, a larger L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth. For workloads that scale with core count and memory throughput, particularly the specific tasks where it wins, the EPYC 9354 remains competitive.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall picture: Intel at 143,103 versus AMD at 126,810. The Xeon 674X also holds a higher percentile ranking at 98 versus 97. Both processors are active in production and target the same server and workstation market.

For buyers prioritizing raw multi-core throughput, single-thread responsiveness, or floating-point compute, the Intel Xeon 674X is the data-backed recommendation. For those running encryption-heavy workloads, physics simulations, or prime-number calculations, the AMD EPYC 9354 offers measurable advantages. The Xeon 674X also carries a lower launch MSRP, making it the more accessible option on paper. The EPYC 9354, despite its higher price point, delivers specific wins that may justify its selection in targeted deployments.