AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Xeon 6731P Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon 6731P and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX occupy different corners of the processor landscape, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The Xeon 6731P wins 12 of the 15 head-to-head tests, dominating in nearly every multi-threaded and server-oriented workload. The Ryzen 9 8940HX takes 3 wins, all in single-threaded PassMark tests, and it posts a surprising victory in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The Xeon is the choice for heavy compute, data center, and workstation tasks where core count and cache matter most. The Ryzen is the pick for mobile systems, where its much lower power envelope and higher boost clock make it viable in a laptop chassis. The data shows the Xeon delivering a 38% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Ryzen counters with a 45.6% advantage in PassMark single-thread performance. Neither chip is a universal winner; each serves a distinct purpose.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Xeon 6731P is built on Granite Rapids, Intel's server-grade architecture, and pairs 32 cores with 64 threads. It uses a 5 nm process fabricated by Intel itself, with a die size of 598 mm². The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX employs Zen 4 under the Dragon Range codename, offering 16 cores and 32 threads. It is also on a 5 nm node, but manufactured by TSMC, and uses a dual-die design with each die measuring 71 mm². The transistor count for the AMD chip is listed at 13,140 million, while the Intel part does not have a recorded transistor figure.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The Xeon provides 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 144 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. That 144 MB L3 gives the Xeon a significant advantage in data-heavy workloads where larger working sets can stay resident on-chip. Memory support also differs: both use DDR5, but the Xeon runs an eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Ryzen is dual-channel with 83.2 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity favors the Xeon with Gen 5 and 136 lanes, versus 28 lanes on the Ryzen. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes a Radeon 610M iGPU. The Xeon is socketed for Intel Socket 4710, the Ryzen for AMD Socket FL1.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two processors split the benchmark suite in a way that reveals their respective strengths. The Xeon dominates the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 44,871 against 32,521 for the Ryzen, a 38% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 6,334 versus 1,917, a 230.4% blowout. The R15 single-core test shows a similar pattern: the Xeon scores 638 to the Ryzen's 292, a 118.5% lead. The Xeon also wins PassMark physics by a staggering 237.7%, scoring 7,105 to 2,104. Prime number finding goes to the Xeon at 541 versus 251, a 115.5% edge.

The Ryzen's wins are concentrated in single-threaded PassMark tests. In PassMark single-thread, the Ryzen scores 3,874 to the Xeon's 2,107, a 45.6% advantage. The same result appears in the PassMark singlethread test, which is listed separately but shows identical scores. The Ryzen also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 5,355 to 4,522, a 15.6% margin in AMD's favor. That is an interesting outlier given the Xeon's much larger core count, and it suggests the older R15 benchmark may not scale as well with the Xeon's architecture.

The Xeon's remaining wins are consistent but vary in magnitude. Data compression goes 799,474 to 650,984, a 22.8% lead. Extended instructions favor the Xeon at 65,656 versus 47,802, a 37.3% gap. Floating point math lands at 157,330 to 113,921, a 38.1% advantage. Integer math is closer at 198,761 versus 189,221, just a 5% edge. Multithread performance shows 52,790 against 49,731, a 6.2% lead. Random string sorting goes 88,019 to 75,381, a 16.8% margin. Data encryption is nearly a tie: 40,087 versus 39,318, a 2% difference.

Specification Differences

The core count is the most obvious difference: the Xeon has 32 cores and 64 threads, the Ryzen has 16 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are close, with the Xeon at 2.50 GHz and the Ryzen at 2.40 GHz, but boost clocks diverge significantly: the Xeon reaches 4.10 GHz, the Ryzen hits 5.30 GHz. Thermal design power is a major separator: the Xeon draws 245 W, the Ryzen just 55 W. The Xeon targets the Server/Workstation market segment, while the Ryzen is a Mobile part. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $2700; the Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP. The Xeon has a locked multiplier, the Ryzen is unlocked. The Xeon's part number is SRVNR, the Ryzen's is 100-000001849. The Xeon was released on 2025-02-23, the Ryzen on 2025-04-22. The Xeon's cache totals 144 MB of L3, the Ryzen's 64 MB. Memory bandwidth tells the story of class difference: 409.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC, the Ryzen does not. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, the Ryzen includes Radeon 610M.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon 6731P has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Xeon in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon scores 44,871 versus 32,521 for the Ryzen, a 38% advantage.

Q: In which tests does the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX outperform the Intel Xeon 6731P?

A: The Ryzen wins PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread, both at 3,874 versus 2,107, a 45.6% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 5,355 to 4,522, a 15.6% margin.

Q: What is the power consumption difference between the two?

A: The Xeon has a TDP of 245 W, while the Ryzen has a TDP of 55 W.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon 6731P supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 87,756 and ranks in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen has an average score of 81,103 and ranks in the 95th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6731P is the clear winner for server and workstation workloads. Its 12 head-to-head victories span data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread performance, physics, prime number finding, and random string sorting. The 144 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth make it suited for large-scale data processing, virtualization, and compute-heavy applications. The 38% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 237.7% margin in PassMark physics highlight its raw throughput capability. The 230.4% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core is notable, as it shows the Xeon does not sacrifice per-thread performance despite its server orientation.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins where power and portability matter. Its 55 W TDP, versus 245 W for the Xeon, makes it feasible for mobile systems. The 5.30 GHz boost clock drives its 45.6% lead in PassMark single-thread tests, which is relevant for lightly threaded applications and responsive everyday use. The Radeon 610M integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios, a feature the Xeon lacks entirely. The Ryzen's Cinebench R15 multi-core win at 5,355 to 4,522 suggests it can hold its own in certain legacy workloads, though the Xeon dominates newer Cinebench versions.

The data implies a straightforward split: the Xeon for rack-mounted compute density and heavy parallel workloads, the Ryzen for high-performance mobile computing where the power budget is tight. The Xeon's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon 6736P, sits just 0.1% ahead in average score, while the Ryzen's closest competitor, the Intel Xeon w5-3535X, matches it exactly at 0% delta. Both processors are active in production, so neither is a legacy choice. The decision comes down to environment: static data center infrastructure favors the Xeon, while on-the-go processing favors the Ryzen.