AMD EPYC 9684X vs Intel Xeon w9-3595X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably one-sided contest. The AMD EPYC 9684X wins 14 of the 16 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Xeon w9-3595X taking only two. The scale of the AMD advantage varies dramatically by workload, from a modest 22.1% lead in PassMark multithread to a staggering 322.6% margin in PassMark physics.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the EPYC 9684X posts consistent 22.6% advantages across all four recorded tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 103,355 against Intel's 84,304. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 14,591 for AMD versus 14,591 for Intel, a 22.6% gap that suggests the architectural differences affect both single-thread and multi-thread performance equally in this renderer. The R20 and R15 results mirror this exactly, with the same 22.6% delta in both single-core and multi-core variants.

The PassMark suite reveals where the EPYC 9684X truly separates itself. The largest single delta appears in PassMark physics, where AMD scores 24,686 against Intel's 5,842, a 322.6% advantage. This is not a subtle difference; the AMD processor delivers more than four times the physics score of the Intel part. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 248.3% gap, with AMD at 2,020 versus Intel at 580.

Data encryption heavily favors the AMD chip as well. The EPYC 9684X records 178,453 in PassMark data encryption against 92,249 for the Xeon w9-3595X, a 93.4% lead. Integer math follows at 78.3% (844,145 versus 473,507), and random string sorting at 83% (349,126 versus 190,745). Data compression shows a 47.3% gap, with AMD at 2,698,807 and Intel at 1,831,962. Floating point math and extended instructions both show 24.6% advantages for AMD, with scores of 472,174 versus 379,008 and 177,956 versus 142,785 respectively.

The multithread test is the closest multi-core result, with the EPYC 9684X at 121,595 and the Xeon w9-3595X at 99,576, a 22.1% margin. This narrower gap likely reflects the PassMark multithread workload's sensitivity to the Intel part's higher boost clock.

The only two wins for Intel come in PassMark single-thread tests. The Xeon w9-3595X scores 3,720 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, against 2,891 for the EPYC 9684X, a 22.3% advantage for Intel. This is a significant single-thread win, but it stands alone against the AMD processor's dominance across the rest of the suite.

Looking at the broader database context, the EPYC 9684X holds a 99th percentile ranking against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 266,914. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X at 279,778 (4.6% ahead of the EPYC), the Intel Xeon 6780E at 280,438 (4.8% ahead), and the Intel Xeon 6980P at 251,516 (6.1% behind). The Xeon w9-3595X also sits in the 99th percentile with an average score of 209,881, placing it 3.7% behind the AMD EPYC 9455P and 7.7% ahead of the Intel Xeon 6741P.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD EPYC 9684X uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Genoa-X codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It packs 96 cores and 192 threads. The Intel Xeon w9-3595X uses the Sapphire Rapids codename on a 10 nm process at Intel, with 60 cores and 120 threads. The core count difference alone, 96 versus 60, explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The EPYC 9684X carries 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 1152 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon w9-3595X has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 112.5 MB of L3. The AMD part's L3 cache is more than ten times larger, a factor that shows up in workloads with large working sets.

The EPYC 9684X uses a twelve-channel memory bus with 460.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon w9-3595X uses an eight-channel bus with 307.2 GB/s. Both support DDR5 and ECC memory. The AMD processor offers 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides 112 lanes. The EPYC 9684X's die is built from twelve 72 mm² chiplets with 135,240 million transistors. Intel uses four 477 mm² dies, with transistor count not recorded in the database.

The physical specifications also differ. The EPYC 9684X uses AMD Socket SP5, the Xeon w9-3595X uses Intel Socket 4677. The AMD chip has a 400 W TDP, the Intel part 385 W. The Intel Xeon has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD EPYC does not. The EPYC 9684X launched on June 12, 2023, while the Xeon w9-3595X launched on August 23, 2024.

The clock speed picture is mixed. The EPYC 9684X has a base clock of 2.55 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Xeon w9-3595X starts lower at 2.00 GHz base but boosts much higher to 4.80 GHz. This higher boost clock explains the Intel part's single-thread win in PassMark, but the AMD processor's 96 cores overcome the clock disadvantage in nearly every multi-threaded test.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type. The AMD EPYC 9684X is the dominant choice for multi-threaded, throughput-oriented work. Its wins span rendering, encryption, compression, integer and floating point math, and physics simulation. The 322.6% lead in PassMark physics and the 248.3% lead in prime number finding are not marginal improvements; they represent a different performance class entirely.

The Intel Xeon w9-3595X wins only the single-thread PassMark tests, posting a 22.3% advantage. For workloads that depend heavily on single-thread performance, the Intel part has a measurable edge. The higher 4.80 GHz boost clock and the faster single-thread score make it the better choice for lightly threaded applications that cannot use the AMD processor's 96 cores.

The EPYC 9684X also leads in the average benchmark score comparison within the database. Its 266,914 average sits above the Xeon w9-3595X's 209,881. The AMD part's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 9565 at 285,471, which is 6.5% ahead, while the Xeon w9-3595X sits closer to mid-pack competitors like the Intel Xeon 6741P and AMD EPYC 9335.

For server and workstation buyers prioritizing raw multi-core throughput, the EPYC 9684X is the clear choice from the recorded data. Its 96 cores, massive L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth deliver consistent wins across the benchmark suite. For users whose primary workloads are single-threaded and would benefit from the 4.80 GHz boost clock, the Xeon w9-3595X offers a compelling alternative, but the breadth of the AMD advantage makes it the stronger overall processor in this comparison.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 9684X | Intel Xeon w9-3595X |

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

| Cores | 96 | 60 |

| Threads | 192 | 120 |

| Base clock | 2.55 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 400 W | 385 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP5 | Intel Socket 4677 |

| Codename | Genoa-X | Sapphire Rapids |

| Process node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 12x 72 mm² | 4x 477 mm² |

| Transistors | 135,240 million | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 1152 MB (shared) | 112.5 MB |

| Memory bus | Twelve-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 460.8 GB/s | 307.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 112 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | N/A |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release date | 2023-06-12 | 2024-08-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $14756 | $5889 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD EPYC 9684X wins 14 of the 16 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with the Intel Xeon w9-3595X winning only the two PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: How large is the AMD lead in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The EPYC 9684X scores 103,355 in Cinebench R23 multicore against 84,304 for the Xeon w9-3595X, a 22.6% advantage.

Q: In which workload does the Intel Xeon w9-3595X outperform the AMD chip?

A: The Xeon w9-3595X wins the PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 3,720 against 2,891 for the EPYC 9684X, a 22.3% lead.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark physics, where the EPYC 9684X scores 24,686 against 5,842 for the Xeon w9-3595X, a 322.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: How do the core counts differ between the two processors?

A: The AMD EPYC 9684X has 96 cores and 192 threads, while the Intel Xeon w9-3595X has 60 cores and 120 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The EPYC 9684X provides 460.8 GB/s over a twelve-channel memory bus, while the Xeon w9-3595X provides 307.2 GB/s over an eight-channel bus.