AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Xeon 6515P Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and Intel Xeon 6515P are both 16-core, 32-thread processors, but they target entirely different environments. The data shows the AMD part is the mobile champion, while the Intel part is a server/workstation workhorse. If you need a high-performance laptop CPU with strong single-threaded and integer workloads, the Ryzen 9 7940HX is the clear choice. If you prioritize raw multi-threaded rendering, physics calculations, and memory bandwidth in a server chassis, the Xeon 6515P wins outright.

The benchmark record shows the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins 7 of 13 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Xeon 6515P wins 6. The AMD part leads in data compression by 17.1%, data encryption by 37.7%, integer math by 38%, multithread by 17.3%, random string sorting by 26.9%, and single-thread by 38.1%. The Intel part counters with a 23.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a massive 66.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, and wins in extended instructions, prime numbers, floating point math, and physics.

The Ryzen 9 7940HX sits at the 94th percentile among all CPUs, while the Xeon 6515P sits at the 93rd. Their average benchmark scores are close: the AMD part records 69875 versus the Intel part's 67006. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (0.2% lower), Intel Core i7-14700KF (0.4% lower), AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (0.5% higher), and Intel Core i7-14700K (0.7% higher). The Xeon's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 4465P (0.1% higher), Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus (0.2% higher), Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (0.7% lower), and Intel Xeon w5-3525 (1% lower).

Pick the Ryzen 9 7940HX for a Dragon Range laptop with unlocked overclocking, a 2.40 GHz base clock boosting to 5.20 GHz, and Radeon 610M integrated graphics. Pick the Xeon 6515P for an eight-channel DDR5 server platform with ECC memory, 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and a locked 3.80 GHz boost clock. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $740.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-threaded Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6515P scores 5442 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 66.8% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX's 1807.

Q: Which processor is better for data encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX records 41974 in Passmark data encryption, a 37.7% advantage over the Intel Xeon 6515P's 30476.

Q: Does the Xeon 6515P support ECC memory?

A: Yes. The Intel Xeon 6515P supports ECC memory and uses an eight-channel DDR5 memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX does not support ECC and uses a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel Xeon 6515P has a TDP of 150 watts.

Q: Which chip has better integer math performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 202883 in Passmark integer math, which is 38% higher than the Intel Xeon 6515P's 147047.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Xeon 6515P does not.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, part of the 7000 series. It uses a 5 nm process node from TSMC and packs 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design with a total die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Xeon 6515P uses Granite Rapids architecture, also on a 5 nm process node, but manufactured by Intel's own foundry. The Xeon lacks published transistor counts and die size data in the database.

Cache structures differ significantly. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part offers 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 72 MB of shared L3 cache. This gives the Xeon larger per-core caches and a larger total L3 pool.

Memory architecture is a major split. The Ryzen 9 7940HX uses dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The Xeon 6515P uses eight-channel DDR5 with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory support, making it suitable for error-critical server workloads.

PCIe capabilities also diverge. The AMD chip exposes Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip exposes Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon has more than three times the PCIe lanes, which matters for expansion-heavy server configurations.

Integrated graphics differ: the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX includes Radeon 610M, while the Intel Xeon 6515P has no integrated graphics (N/A). The market segments reflect this: the AMD part is mobile, and the Intel part is server/workstation.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: 16 cores and 32 threads for both. The base clocks are close, with the AMD part at 2.40 GHz and the Intel part at 2.30 GHz. Boost clocks differ substantially: the AMD chip boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel chip boosts to 3.80 GHz.

TDP is a major differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX draws 55 watts, while the Intel Xeon 6515P draws 150 watts, nearly three times the power envelope.

Sockets are incompatible: the AMD part uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 4710. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier and part number 100-000001486, while the Intel chip is locked and carries part number SRVU6.

Release dates differ: the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX launched on 2024-01-16, and the Intel Xeon 6515P launched on 2025-02-23. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $740; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Memory bus width is another clear split: dual-channel versus eight-channel. The AMD part's 83.2 GB/s bandwidth pales next to the Xeon's 409.6 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Intel Xeon 6515P at 38547, which is 23.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX's 29400. This is the largest multi-threaded win for the Intel part. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is even bigger: the Xeon scores 5442 versus the AMD part's 1807, a 66.8% difference. That single-core gap is striking given the AMD chip's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.80 GHz.

Passmark integer math flips the script. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 202883, which is 38% higher than the Intel Xeon 6515P's 147047. This is the AMD part's largest win. Single-thread performance also favors AMD: 3942 versus 2855, a 38.1% advantage.

Data compression goes to AMD with 693741 versus 592645, a 17.1% lead. Data encryption shows AMD at 41974 versus 30476, a 37.7% advantage. Random string sorting favors AMD at 81775 versus 64425, a 26.9% margin. Passmark multithread also goes to AMD: 53204 versus 45350, a 17.3% lead.

The Intel Xeon 6515P wins Passmark extended instructions at 53383 versus 51029, a 4.4% edge. Find prime numbers goes to Intel at 385 versus 273, a 29.1% difference. Floating point math favors Intel at 128954 versus 121383, a 5.9% margin. Physics is a clear Intel win at 3829 versus 2297, a 40% lead.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the pick for mobile workloads that need high single-threaded responsiveness and integer-heavy tasks. Its 38.1% single-thread lead and 38% integer math advantage make it strong for general productivity, scripting, database operations, and any workload where per-core speed matters. Data compression and encryption wins (17.1% and 37.7% respectively) point to file handling, VPN, and security-focused tasks. The 17.3% multithread lead in Passmark suggests it handles mixed parallel workloads well despite its lower TDP. Its unlocked multiplier and Radeon 610M iGPU make it flexible for enthusiast laptops where overclocking and basic display output are desired.

The Intel Xeon 6515P is the pick for server and workstation environments where memory bandwidth, ECC reliability, and raw compute throughput dominate. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 38547, 23.7% ahead of the AMD part, shows strong rendering capability. The 66.8% single-core lead in Cinebench is unusual and suggests the Xeon's architecture extracts more performance per clock in that specific test. Physics at 3829, 40% higher, makes it suitable for simulation and scientific workloads. Floating point math (5.9% lead) and prime number finding (29.1% lead) reinforce its math-heavy strengths. The eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support make it the choice for large datasets and long-running server processes where data integrity is critical. The 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow extensive expansion, while the 150-watt TDP reflects a design built for sustained, high-throughput operation in a server chassis.

For a practical builder: if you need a laptop CPU, the Ryzen 9 7940HX is the only option here, and its benchmark profile supports that use case well. If you are building a rack server, the Xeon 6515P's memory bandwidth, ECC, and lane count are decisive. The two parts rarely compete in the same system, but the data shows the AMD chip excels at interactive and general-purpose tasks, while the Intel chip dominates sustained compute and memory-intensive server duties.