AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs Intel Xeon 6511P Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX and Intel Xeon 6511P represent two divergent philosophies in modern processors, but benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy between them. The Xeon 6511P, a Granite Rapids server/workstation part, dominates in raw multi-threaded throughput, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX, a Dragon Range mobile chip, claims a decisive victory in single-threaded PassMark tests. Out of the 13 head-to-head benchmarks, the Xeon 6511P wins 11, with the Ryzen taking only 2. However, the margins of victory tell a nuanced story about each processor's strengths and target workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon 6511P's most emphatic win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 41,196 against the AMD's 25,265. This represents a 38.7% delta in Intel's favor, showcasing the advantage of its 16 cores and 32 threads over the Ryzen's 12 cores and 24 threads. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is even more lopsided: the Xeon posts 5,815 versus the Ryzen's 1,857, a 68.1% gap that underscores the architectural efficiency of Granite Rapids' high clock speeds in this test.

The Xeon's dominance extends across PassMark's compute workloads. In floating-point math, it scores 127,307 against 86,747, a 31.9% advantage. Physics simulation shows a 53.3% lead (4,678 vs 2,185), reflecting the server chip's superior memory subsystem and core count. Data compression favors the Xeon at 640,808 versus 496,427, a 22.5% margin. Extended instructions see a 28% gap (50,730 vs 36,527), and random string sorting shows a 14.5% edge (67,809 vs 57,971).

The margins narrow in other PassMark workloads. Integer math sees the Xeon ahead by just 9.9% (162,524 vs 146,506), while multithread performance shows an 8.7% lead (45,687 vs 41,732). Data encryption is nearly a tie, with the Xeon at 31,429 and the Ryzen at 29,919, a 4.8% difference. The find-prime-numbers test is the closest overall: 308 for the Xeon versus 304 for the Ryzen, a razor-thin 1.3% gap.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX's only wins are in PassMark single-thread tests, where it scores 3,958 against the Xeon's 2,545. That 55.5% delta is remarkable, indicating the Ryzen's Zen 4 architecture delivers vastly superior single-core performance in this specific benchmark. This is despite the Ryzen's lower 2.90 GHz base clock versus the Xeon's 2.30 GHz; the Ryzen's 5.10 GHz boost clock clearly matters more in single-threaded PassMark workloads.

The Verdict

The data paints a straightforward picture: the Intel Xeon 6511P is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and server-style workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 41,196 places it in a different class than the Ryzen's 25,265, and its wins across PassMark compression, encryption, physics, and floating-point math confirm this trend. With an average benchmark score of 71,051 and a 94th percentile ranking, the Xeon sits comfortably among high-end CPUs, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K at a 0.2% delta.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX, despite its 94th percentile ranking and average score of 71,797, is clearly a different kind of chip. Its single-thread score of 3,958 is a standout, and its overall average actually edges the Xeon's 71,797 vs 71,051. However, this aggregate is skewed by the PassMark single-thread result. In every multi-threaded head-to-head, the Xeon prevails.

Choose the Xeon 6511P for rendering, data compression, physics simulation, or any workload that scales with core count and memory bandwidth. Its 72 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel DDR5 support (409.6 GB/s bandwidth) make it a server-grade workhorse. Choose the Ryzen 7 8840HX for single-threaded responsiveness or if you need a mobile-capable chip with an integrated Radeon 610M GPU, but be prepared for a significant multi-core deficit. The Xeon wins 11 of 13 benchmarks; the Ryzen's two wins are in the same PassMark single-thread test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX uses Zen 4, codenamed Dragon Range, fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a transistor count of 13,140 million spread across a dual-die design measuring 2x 71 mm². The Intel Xeon 6511P, by contrast, uses the Granite Rapids architecture (Granite Rapids-SP generation), also on a 5 nm process but fabricated by Intel. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, with no transistor or die size data available.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Ryzen has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has larger per-core caches: 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, plus 72 MB of shared L3. This advantage in per-core cache likely contributes to the Xeon's strong single-thread Cinebench R23 score of 5,815.

Memory support diverges sharply. Both support DDR5, but the Xeon uses an eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen is dual-channel with 83.2 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity favors the Xeon heavily: it offers 136 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) versus the Ryzen's 28 Gen 5 lanes. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated GPU (N/A).

Specification Differences

The core specification table shows clear separation. The Intel Xeon 6511P has 16 cores and 32 threads, versus the Ryzen's 12 cores and 24 threads. Clock speeds favor the AMD in boost (5.10 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) but the Intel in base (2.30 GHz vs 2.90 GHz — wait, the Intel's base is lower, but the data shows the Ryzen at 2.90 GHz base). The Xeon's TDP of 150 W far exceeds the Ryzen's 55 W, reflecting its server orientation. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FL1 for the Ryzen, Intel Socket 4710 for the Xeon. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $815. The Ryzen has no launch MSRP listed. The Xeon has a locked multiplier; the Ryzen's is unlocked. Part numbers are 100-000001850 for AMD and SRVU9 for Intel. The Ryzen is a mobile part; the Xeon is a server/workstation part. The Ryzen was released on 2025-04-22, while the Xeon came earlier on 2025-02-23.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 6511P scores 41,196, which is 38.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX's 25,265.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX better at any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Ryzen wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3,958, a 55.5% delta over the Xeon's 2,545.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The Intel Xeon 6511P offers 409.6 GB/s over an eight-channel bus, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX provides 83.2 GB/s over a dual-channel bus.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Xeon 6511P supports ECC memory, but the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The Xeon 6511P has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has an average benchmark score of 71,797, and the Intel Xeon 6511P has an average of 71,051, both ranking in the 94th percentile.