AMD Ryzen 9 7950X vs Intel Xeon 6517P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6517P has an average benchmark score of 72,350, which places it slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X at 69,515. Both processors sit at the 94th percentile versus all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 6517P scores 42,352 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 16% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X score of 36,523. This is one of the Xeon's four head-to-head wins.

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the direct benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Xeon 6517P wins the remaining four, which include Cinebench R23 multi-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, and PassMark physics.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread PassMark performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X scores 4,266 in PassMark single-thread, which is 22.4% higher than the Intel Xeon 6517P score of 3,311. This reflects the Ryzen's higher boost clock.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6517P and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X support ECC memory. However, the Xeon uses an eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon 6517P has 72 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon also has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 6517P and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Xeon is built on the Granite Rapids architecture and belongs to the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation. It is manufactured by Intel on a 5 nm process. The Ryzen 9 7950X uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael, and is manufactured by TSMC on a 5 nm process. Both processors have 16 cores and 32 threads, but the similarities largely end there.

The Xeon 6517P is a server and workstation part designed for Intel Socket 4710, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its TDP is 190 W. The Ryzen 9 7950X is a desktop processor on AMD Socket AM5, with a significantly higher base clock of 4.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz, at a lower TDP of 170 W. The Ryzen also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon does not.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Xeon provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 72 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen provides 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon's larger per-core caches are typical of server-oriented designs that aim to reduce memory latency under heavy multi-threaded loads.

Memory subsystems are another major divergence. The Xeon supports DDR5 over an eight-channel memory bus, delivering 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ryzen also supports DDR5 but over a dual-channel bus, yielding 83.2 GB/s. This is a five-fold difference in theoretical memory bandwidth, a critical factor for data-intensive server workloads.

PCIe connectivity also differs: the Xeon offers Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon has no integrated graphics, whereas the Ryzen includes Radeon Graphics. The Ryzen has a transistor count of 13,140 million across two 71 mm² dies, while the Xeon's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Release dates are far apart. The Ryzen 9 7950X launched on 2022-09-26, while the Xeon 6517P launched on 2025-02-23. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $1195, and the Ryzen's launch MSRP is $699.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split between two very different workloads. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X wins the majority of direct comparisons, taking 11 of 15 benchmarks. Its strengths are in integer math, random string sorting, data compression, and encryption, where it leads by double-digit percentages. For example, it outperforms the Xeon by 27.9% in PassMark integer math and by 31.5% in random string sorting. It also wins PassMark single-thread by 22.4%, reflecting its higher boost clock.

The Intel Xeon 6517P, however, claims the most important server-oriented benchmark: Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 16%. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by a massive 199% margin, and Cinebench R15 single-core by 90.8%. Its PassMark physics score is 43.5% higher. These results, combined with its eight-channel memory bus and 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, indicate a processor built for sustained multi-threaded throughput and memory bandwidth-heavy tasks.

The choice depends on the environment. For a desktop or small workstation where single-thread responsiveness, encryption, compression, and general integer performance matter, the Ryzen 9 7950X is the stronger pick based on the recorded benchmarks. For a server or workstation chassis that can leverage 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth and 88 PCIe lanes, the Xeon 6517P offers a compelling multi-core Cinebench advantage and much higher physics performance. The Ryzen's lower TDP (170 W versus 190 W) and unlocked multiplier also favor it in power-conscious or overclocking scenarios.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon 6517P | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X |

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

| Architecture | Granite Rapids | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Granite Rapids | Raphael |

| Generation | Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) | Ryzen 9 (Zen 4 (Raphael)) |

| Process Node | 5 nm (Intel) | 5 nm (TSMC) |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 190 W | 170 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 4710 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 72 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 88 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Radeon Graphics |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-02-23 | 2022-09-26 |

| Launch MSRP | $1195 | $699 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 13,140 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 2x 71 mm² |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the entire comparison is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the Intel Xeon 6517P scores 5,979 against the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X's 2,000. This is a 199% advantage for the Xeon, an enormous gap that highlights a fundamental difference in how the two chips execute this specific workload. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon leads 602 to 315.5, a 90.8% margin.

In multi-core Cinebench R23, the Xeon again takes the lead with 42,352 versus 36,523, a 16% advantage. This is the Xeon's only multi-core win in the Cinebench family, as the Ryzen wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 5,947.5 against 4,268, a 28.2% margin in the AMD's favor.

The PassMark suite heavily favors the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. The largest margin is in random string sorting, where the Ryzen scores 98,501 versus 67,480, a 31.5% lead. Data encryption shows a 34.4% advantage for the Ryzen (49,336 versus 32,385). Integer math goes to the Ryzen by 27.9% (225,603 versus 162,671). Data compression favors the Ryzen by 21.8% (835,923 versus 653,338). PassMark multi-thread also goes to the Ryzen, 62,478 versus 49,786, a 20.3% gap.

The Ryzen wins PassMark single-thread by 22.4% (4,266 versus 3,311), extended instructions by 16.5% (62,131 versus 51,891), and floating-point math by 7.6% (138,004 versus 127,497). The closest contest is in find prime numbers, where the Ryzen leads by a marginal 0.6% (337 versus 335).

The Intel Xeon 6517P takes PassMark physics by a decisive 43.5% (4,452 versus 3,102), which is its second-largest win after the Cinebench R23 single-core result. Overall, the win tally is 11 for the Ryzen and 4 for the Xeon, but the Xeon's wins are concentrated in Cinebench and physics, while the Ryzen dominates the PassMark suite. The average benchmark scores reflect a narrow overall edge for the Xeon (72,350 versus 69,515), despite the Ryzen's higher win count, because the Xeon's Cinebench R23 single-core score is exceptionally high relative to the Ryzen's.