AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Xeon 6736P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D dominates in single-thread and integer-heavy workloads, while the Intel Xeon 6736P takes the lead in multi-core rendering, encryption, and memory-latency-sensitive tasks. The head-to-head results show 7 wins for AMD and 8 for Intel, but the margins tell a more nuanced story.

The AMD chip's most striking victory is in PassMark single-thread performance, where it scores 4511 against Intel's 2024, a massive 122.9% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Ryzen also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 40.9% (6042.5 vs 4290), PassMark extended instructions by 13% (62813 vs 55563), PassMark find prime numbers by 33.9% (525 vs 392), PassMark integer math by 7.6% (222503 vs 206833), and PassMark multithread by 25.2% (62674 vs 50072).

Intel's counter-punches are concentrated in newer Cinebench versions and specific PassMark workloads. The Xeon 6736P wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 10.3% (42561 vs 38161.5), which is notable given the AMD chip's 16-core count versus Intel's 36 cores. In single-core Cinebench R23, Intel leads by 64.1% (6008 vs 2159.5), and in R15 single-core by 45.1% (605 vs 332). The Xeon also takes PassMark data compression (796658 vs 785811, a 1.4% edge), data encryption (46236 vs 39446, a 14.7% lead), floating point math (149770 vs 144122, up 3.8%), physics (6531 vs 4687, a 28.2% advantage), and random string sorting (103723 vs 83497, up 19.5%).

The single-thread PassMark discrepancy is worth emphasizing: AMD's 4511 versus Intel's 2024 suggests fundamentally different measurement conditions, likely reflecting the mobile-oriented Ryzen's boost behavior against the server-class Xeon's lower clock ceiling. The Cinebench single-core results tell the opposite story, with Intel's 6008 dwarfing AMD's 2159.5. This inconsistency means buyers should weight benchmarks that match their actual workloads rather than relying on any single metric.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is a mobile flagship built on TSMC's 4 nm process, packing 16 cores and 32 threads with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost up to 5.40 GHz. It uses the Zen 5 architecture (Fire Range codename) and fits into AMD Socket FL1. The chip carries 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a substantial 128 MB L3 cache.

Intel's Xeon 6736P is a server/workstation part built on Intel's 5 nm process with 36 cores and 72 threads. It clocks lower at 2.00 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, but compensates with sheer core count. The Granite Rapids architecture uses Intel Socket 4710 and a monolithic 598 mm² die. Cache is organized as 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 144 MB shared L3.

Memory architecture diverges sharply. The AMD chip supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon uses eight-channel DDR5 delivering 409.6 GB/s, a 4.6x bandwidth advantage. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes, Intel doubles that to 88 lanes. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics; the Xeon has none. The AMD part is multiplier-unlocked; the Xeon is locked.

The transistor and die size numbers highlight the fundamental design trade-off: AMD uses a chiplet approach with two small dies (70.6 mm² each) on a leading-edge process, while Intel uses one large monolithic die (598 mm²) on a less dense node. This explains why the Ryzen achieves higher clocks and better single-thread performance despite fewer cores, while the Xeon maximizes parallel throughput and memory bandwidth.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins PassMark single-thread by 122.9% (4511 vs 2024), but the Intel Xeon 6736P wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 64.1% (6008 vs 2159.5) and R15 single-core by 45.1% (605 vs 332). The PassMark result reflects the Ryzen's superior boost clock and per-core efficiency, while the Cinebench results suggest the Xeon's architecture handles that specific workload better.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core rendering?

A: Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 10.3% (42561 vs 38161.5), despite having 20 more cores. However, AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 40.9% (6042.5 vs 4290) and PassMark multithread by 25.2% (62674 vs 50072). The mixed results indicate workload-specific scaling behavior.

Q: Which chip has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P offers 409.6 GB/s from its eight-channel DDR5 setup, versus the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D's 89.6 GB/s from dual-channel. This 4.6x difference favors Intel for memory-intensive server workloads.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Xeon 6736P has 36 cores and 72 threads, more than double the thread count.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P has 144 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 128 MB. Both are substantial, but Intel's is 16 MB larger.

Q: Do both support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD and Intel processors support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Intel Xeon 6736P |

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

| Cores | 16 | 36 |

| Threads | 32 | 72 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 205 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 4710 |

| Process node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 5 nm (Intel) |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 598 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 112 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 128 MB | 144 MB shared |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 409.6 GB/s |

| PCIe lanes | 28 (Gen 5) | 88 (Gen 5) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | N/A |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2025-02-23 |

| Launch MSRP | N/A | $3351 |

The AMD chip also lists 16,630 million transistors and a part number of 100-000001030, while the Xeon lists no transistor count and part number SRVNW.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the choice for single-threaded responsiveness. Its 122.9% PassMark single-thread lead and 40.9% Cinebench R15 multi-core margin indicate excellent per-core efficiency. It also wins extended instructions, prime number finding, integer math, and multithread tests. The 55 W TDP and integrated Radeon 610M make it suitable for mobile workstations where power and space are constrained. Its unlocked multiplier appeals to users who want tuning flexibility.

The Intel Xeon 6736P wins in scenarios requiring massive parallel throughput and memory bandwidth. Its 409.6 GB/s eight-channel memory system is designed for data-heavy server workloads. It leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core, data compression, encryption, floating point math, physics, and random string sorting. The 36 cores and 72 threads provide raw parallelism that the Ryzen cannot match, despite the Ryzen's higher clocks. The 144 MB L3 cache and 88 PCIe lanes make it suited for expansive workstation configurations.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct use cases. Choose the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D for mobile workstations, single-thread-heavy applications, and scenarios where the 55 W TDP and integrated graphics matter. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4511 and Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 6042.5 demonstrate exceptional per-core performance that rivals desktop processors, while its 128 MB L3 cache and unlocked multiplier add flexibility.

Choose the Intel Xeon 6736P for server or workstation deployments requiring maximum core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe connectivity. Its 42561 Cinebench R23 multi-core score and 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth are the top figures in this comparison. The 36-core count and 144 MB L3 cache provide the foundation for heavily threaded enterprise workloads. The launch MSRP of $3351 reflects its server positioning.

The average benchmark scores tell the overall story: AMD's 97453 versus Intel's 87864, a 10.9% gap in favor of the Ryzen. Both sit at the 96th percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen's nearest rival is the Threadripper PRO 5965WX at 98504 (1.1% higher), while the Xeon sits close to the Xeon 6731P at 87756 (0.1% lower). For users who prioritize single-thread speed and efficiency, the AMD part wins. For those who need massive parallel throughput and memory bandwidth, the Intel part is the clear pick.