AMD EPYC 9355P vs Intel Xeon 6741P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P has 48 cores and 96 threads, while the AMD EPYC 9355P has 32 cores and 64 threads. That is a 16-core and 32-thread advantage for Intel.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P leads in every Cinebench multi-core test by a consistent 3.5% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 85,561 versus AMD's 82,666; in R20 multi-core, Intel scores 35,935 versus 34,719.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded PassMark tests?

A: The AMD EPYC 9355P wins PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests with a score of 3,747, which is 14.7% higher than Intel's 3,195. This is one of only two benchmark wins for AMD in the entire head-to-head set.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The biggest Intel win is in PassMark floating point math, where Intel scores 358,423 versus AMD's 256,635, a 39.7% advantage. Intel also leads extended instructions by 32.6% (142,682 versus 107,622).

Q: What is the smallest performance difference between the two?

A: The closest result is PassMark random string sorting, where Intel scores 177,322 and AMD scores 176,697, a margin of just 0.4% in Intel's favor.

Q: How many total benchmark wins does each processor have?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD EPYC 9355P wins 2, both in single-threaded PassMark tests.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. For multi-threaded and compute-heavy server workloads, the Intel Xeon 6741P is the stronger choice. It wins 15 out of 17 comparisons, with particularly large margins in floating point math (39.7%), extended instructions (32.6%), and data compression (27%). Its 48 cores versus 32 cores translate directly into sustained leads across rendering, encryption, and integer workloads.

The AMD EPYC 9355P is the pick for single-thread-sensitive tasks. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3,747 is 14.7% higher than Intel's 3,195, which matters for lightly threaded database queries or front-end application work. AMD also matches Intel closely in physics (13,515 versus 13,890, a 2.8% gap) and random string sorting (176,697 versus 177,322, a 0.4% gap).

The average benchmark scores tell a different story. Intel's average is 194,901, while AMD's is 160,358. Intel sits at the 99th percentile of all CPUs, AMD at the 98th. However, the nearest rivals for Intel include the AMD EPYC 9335 (0.3% behind) and the Intel Xeon 678X (0.7% behind). AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 676X (1.1% behind) and the AMD EPYC 9375F (1.3% ahead). So while Intel dominates this direct comparison, both chips are tightly clustered against their immediate peers.

Choose Intel if you need peak multi-thread throughput, especially for floating point, compression, or encryption. Choose AMD if single-thread latency is your bottleneck and you want the higher clock ceiling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon 6741P dominates the Cinebench suite. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, Intel wins every test by exactly 3.5%. In R23 multi-core, that means 85,561 versus 82,666. In R23 single-core, it is 12,079 versus 11,670. The consistency suggests a core-count and clock relationship that favors Intel across rendering workloads.

PassMark paints a more varied picture. Intel's largest margin is in floating point math: 358,423 versus 256,635, a 39.7% lead. Extended instructions follow at 32.6% (142,682 versus 107,622). Data compression shows a 27% gap (1,816,408 versus 1,429,976), and prime number finding is 19% higher (1,242 versus 1,044). Integer math is closer at 11.2% (458,058 versus 412,067), and data encryption is 10.9% ahead (89,746 versus 80,961).

The multi-thread PassMark score favors Intel by 4.2% (100,660 versus 96,603). Physics is nearly even, with Intel leading by 2.8% (13,890 versus 13,515). Random string sorting is the tightest race: 177,322 versus 176,697, a 0.4% edge for Intel.

AMD's only wins come in the two identical single-thread PassMark tests, where it scores 3,747 versus Intel's 3,195, a 14.7% advantage. That is a substantial single-thread lead, but it does not offset Intel's breadth of multi-thread victories.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ significantly: Intel has 48 cores and 96 threads, AMD has 32 cores and 64 threads. Clock speeds also diverge. Intel's base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost of 3.80 GHz. AMD's base is 3.55 GHz with a boost of 4.40 GHz. AMD clocks higher, which explains its single-thread win despite fewer cores.

Thermal design power is close: Intel is 300 W, AMD is 280 W. Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 4710, AMD uses Socket SP5. Memory channels differ: Intel is eight-channel, AMD is twelve-channel. Memory bandwidth reflects that: Intel delivers 409.6 GB/s, AMD delivers 576.0 GB/s. Both support DDR5 and ECC memory.

PCIe lanes are similar: Intel provides Gen 5 with 136 lanes (CPU only), AMD provides Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). Neither has integrated graphics. Both are active production server/workstation parts. Intel's launch MSRP is $4421. AMD's launch MSRP is $2998.

Architecture Differences

Intel uses Granite Rapids architecture on a 5 nm process, built in-house at Intel. The die is 2x 598 mm². AMD uses Zen 5 (Turin) on a 4 nm process from TSMC, with 66,520 million transistors split across 8x 70.6 mm² dies. The process node and die strategy differ fundamentally: Intel's large dual-die design versus AMD's chiplet approach.

Cache hierarchies differ per core. Intel has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 288 MB of shared L3. AMD has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of shared L3. Intel has more L1 and L2 per core, plus more total L3. AMD's smaller per-core caches may contribute to its lower multi-thread scores, while Intel's larger L3 helps with data-heavy workloads.

AMD's transistor count and smaller dies indicate a denser, more modular design. Intel's larger monolithic-style dual-die approach yields higher aggregate cache and core count. Both support DDR5 and ECC, but AMD's twelve-channel memory bus and 576.0 GB/s bandwidth give it a memory-throughput edge on paper. Intel counters with more PCIe lanes (136 versus 128) and a larger shared L3.

The release dates differ: Intel launched on 2025-02-23, AMD on 2024-10-09. Both are active production parts, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are SRVEY for Intel and 100-000001521 for AMD.