AMD EPYC 9754 vs Intel Xeon 6780E Comparison

The AMD EPYC 9754 and Intel Xeon 6780E represent two distinct approaches to high-core-count server computing. The database records 16 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the AMD part winning 13 and the Intel part winning 3. The AMD EPYC 9754 holds a 100th percentile position among all CPUs, while the Intel Xeon 6780E sits at the 99th. The average benchmark score for the AMD EPYC 9754 is 364,371, versus 280,438 for the Intel Xeon 6780E. These numbers set the stage for a detailed comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD EPYC 9754 dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 8,460 against Intel's 7,431, a lead of 13.8%. The single-core R15 test shows the same margin: 1,194 versus 1,049, also 13.8% ahead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD part scores 35,254 multi-core and 4,977 single-core, while the Intel part scores 30,963 and 4,371 respectively, giving AMD a 13.9% advantage in both. Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the pattern: 83,939 versus 73,723, again 13.9% ahead. These rendering workloads are consistently in favor of the AMD EPYC 9754.

Beyond rendering, AMD wins heavily in several Passmark tests. Data compression shows a 39.1% lead: 3,558,043 versus 2,557,582. Data encryption is 20.1% ahead: 231,891 versus 193,004. Floating point math is 35.6% ahead: 588,187 versus 433,862. Integer math is the most decisive: 1,026,896 versus 641,817, a 60% advantage. Multithreaded performance is 13.9% ahead: 98,752 versus 86,734. Single-thread performance is 21.1% ahead: 2,328 versus 1,923. Even the PassMark extended instructions test shows a massive 96.8% lead: 224,322 versus 114,008.

The Intel Xeon 6780E does win three tests. It takes the physics test with 10,951 against AMD's 8,793, a 19.7% advantage for Intel. It also wins random string sorting: 326,954 versus 306,481, a 6.3% margin. Finally, it wins find prime numbers with 708 versus 604, a 14.7% lead. These wins are narrower than AMD's biggest leads, but they are consistent across specific workloads.

The overall picture is clear: AMD wins the majority of compute-heavy benchmarks, often by large margins, while Intel shows strength in a few niche tests that likely stress different parts of the microarchitecture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The AMD EPYC 9754 uses Zen 4c architecture, codenamed Bergamo, and is fabricated on TSMC's 5 nm process. The Intel Xeon 6780E uses Sierra Forest, also on a 5 nm process, but fabricated by Intel. The transistor counts differ: AMD lists 71,000 million transistors, while Intel does not provide a figure. The die sizes are also distinct: AMD uses 8 separate chips of 73 mm² each, while Intel uses a single die of 578 mm².

Core counts differ. The Intel Xeon 6780E has 144 cores and 144 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multi-threading. The AMD EPYC 9754 has 128 cores and 256 threads, using SMT to double the thread count. This gives AMD a thread advantage despite having fewer physical cores.

Cache hierarchies are different. AMD's L1 cache is 64 KB per core, and L2 is 1 MB per core. Intel's L1 is 96 KB per core, and L2 is 4 MB per module. The L3 cache is 256 MB shared on AMD, while Intel has 108 MB shared. The larger L3 on AMD likely contributes to its strong compression and encryption scores.

Memory support is another differentiator. Both support DDR5, but AMD uses a twelve-channel bus with a bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s, while Intel uses eight channels with 409.6 GB/s. ECC is supported by both.

PCIe lanes also differ: AMD provides 128 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides 88 Gen 5 lanes. The sockets are different as well: AMD uses Socket SP5, Intel uses Socket 4710.

Clock speeds are close, but AMD is higher. The AMD EPYC 9754 has a base clock of 2.25 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The Intel Xeon 6780E has a base of 2.20 GHz and a boost of 3.00 GHz. The TDP of the AMD part is 360 W, while Intel is 330 W.

Release dates also differ. The AMD EPYC 9754 was released on 2023-06-12, and the Intel Xeon 6780E on 2024-06-02. The launch MSRP for the AMD part is $11900, and for the Intel part it is $11350. Both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate a clear division of strengths. The AMD EPYC 9754 excels in most multi-threaded and compute-intensive tasks. Its 96.8% lead in extended instructions suggests a much stronger vector/SIMD capability. The 60% lead in integer math and 35.6% in floating-point math confirm its general compute dominance. The data compression and encryption gains also point to a processor that is well suited for database, analytics, and security workloads.

The Intel Xeon 6780E has its own niche. The 19.7% win in physics and the 14.7% win in prime number generation suggest that its core design handles certain algorithm patterns more efficiently. The random string sorting win, though smaller at 6.3%, indicates an advantage in memory access or data movement patterns. These wins might matter for specific scientific or sorting applications.

For general server use, the AMD EPYC 9754 is the stronger choice based on the recorded data. It wins 13 of 16 tests and often by large margins. The Intel part has more cores (144 versus 128) but lacks SMT, so its thread count is lower. In practice, the AMD part's higher thread count and larger L3 cache likely contribute to its broad lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon 6780E has 144 cores, while the AMD EPYC 9754 has 128 cores.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 9754 has 256 threads, while the Intel Xeon 6780E has 144 threads, because Intel does not use simultaneous multi-threading.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AMD EPYC 9754 provides 460.8 GB/s over a twelve-channel DDR5 bus, whereas the Intel Xeon 6780E provides 409.6 GB/s over an eight-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 9754 has 256 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon 6780E has 108 MB.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The AMD EPYC 9754 has an average score of 364,371, and the Intel Xeon 6780E has 280,438.

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head comparisons?

A: The AMD EPYC 9754 wins 13 of the 16 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Xeon 6780E wins 3.

Specification Differences

• Cores: AMD 128, Intel 144
• Threads: AMD 256, Intel 144
• Base clock: AMD 2.25 GHz, Intel 2.20 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 3.10 GHz, Intel 3.00 GHz
• TDP: AMD 360 W, Intel 330 W
• Socket: AMD Socket SP5, Intel Socket 4710
• Architecture: AMD Zen 4c (Bergamo), Intel Sierra Forest
• Process node: both 5 nm, but foundries differ (TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel)
• Transistors: AMD 71,000 million, Intel not specified
• Die size: AMD 8x 73 mm², Intel 578 mm²
• L1 cache: AMD 64 KB per core, Intel 96 KB per core
• L2 cache: AMD 1 MB per core, Intel 4 MB per module
• L3 cache: AMD 256 MB shared, Intel 108 MB shared
• Memory bus: AMD twelve-channel, Intel eight-channel
• Memory bandwidth: AMD 460.8 GB/s, Intel 409.6 GB/s
• PCIe lanes: AMD 128 Gen 5, Intel 88 Gen 5
• Integrated graphics: AMD none, Intel N/A (not applicable)
• Release date: AMD 2023-06-12, Intel 2024-06-02
• Launch MSRP: AMD $11900, Intel $11350
• Part number: AMD 100-000001234, Intel SRPG3

These differences highlight that the AMD EPYC 9754 is a larger, more power-hungry chip with more memory channels and higher bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon 6780E uses a higher core count but narrower memory and no SMT. The benchmark results show that AMD's design wins in most workloads, with Intel taking specific niche tests.