AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 vs Intel Xeon 6745P Comparison

The Intel Xeon 6745P and AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 are both 98th-percentile processors, but they achieve that status through radically different designs. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel Xeon 6745P dominates in every multi-threaded and server-oriented workload tested, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 claims a decisive victory in single-thread performance. With 9 wins for the Intel part and 2 for the AMD part in the head-to-head suite, the Xeon 6745P is the aggregate performance leader, though the Ryzen 9 PRO 9965's single-core advantage reveals a distinct use case.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon 6745P's most commanding victory comes in the passmark physics test, where it scores 6144 against the AMD's 3256, a 88.7% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and indicates a massive lead in simulation and physics-based workloads. Similarly, the find prime numbers test shows an 87.1% gap, with Intel scoring 681 versus AMD's 364, demonstrating superiority in integer-heavy algorithmic tasks.

In floating-point math, the Xeon 6745P scores 267438 versus 160746 for the Ryzen 9 PRO 9965, a 66.4% lead. The extended instructions test shows a 52.1% advantage for Intel (108326 vs 71210), and data compression results favor Intel by 48.9% (1352801 vs 908293). Data encryption follows closely with a 48.4% margin (66665 vs 44920). Random string sorting sees Intel ahead by 40.7% (133528 vs 94915), while integer math shows a 38.5% gap (336926 vs 243280). Even in the multithread test, which is the closest multi-core result, the Xeon 6745P leads by 26.3% with 84210 points against 66655.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965's only wins come in the single-thread tests, where it scores 4682 against Intel's 3450, a 26.3% advantage. This is the same delta for both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, confirming consistency. No other benchmark in the head-to-head suite favors the AMD part. The pattern is unambiguous: the Xeon 6745P delivers between roughly a quarter and nearly double the performance of the Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 in every parallel workload, while the AMD chip excels only when a single core is the bottleneck.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different approaches to high-end computing. The Intel Xeon 6745P uses the Granite Rapids architecture on a 5 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 2x 598 mm². It packs 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965, by contrast, uses the Granite Ridge architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm² and 16,630 million transistors. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, running at a much higher 4.30 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The Intel part has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a large 336 MB shared L3. The AMD part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. This means the Xeon 6745P has more than five times the total L3 cache, which contributes to its dominance in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Memory architecture is another major dividing line. The Xeon 6745P supports eight-channel DDR5 memory with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. That is a 4.5x bandwidth advantage for Intel, which directly explains the large gaps in memory-sensitive benchmarks. PCIe lanes also differ: Intel provides Gen 5 with 88 lanes, while AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes. Both support ECC memory, but the Intel part has no integrated graphics, whereas the AMD part includes Radeon Graphics. The Intel Xeon 6745P's launch MSRP is $5250; the AMD has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon 6745P has 32 cores and 64 threads, exactly double the 16 cores and 32 threads of the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 scores 4682 in passmark single-thread tests versus 3450 for the Intel Xeon 6745P, giving AMD a 26.3% advantage in that specific benchmark.

Q: How large is the memory bandwidth gap?

A: The Intel Xeon 6745P supports eight-channel DDR5 with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s, a 4.5x difference in favor of Intel.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Xeon 6745P boosts to 4.30 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 4.30 GHz versus 3.10 GHz.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity for each?

A: The Intel Xeon 6745P has 336 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 has 64 MB of L3, meaning Intel offers more than five times the L3 capacity.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6745P and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 have ECC memory support, making both suitable for error-sensitive server and workstation tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon 6745P | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 |

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

| Cores | 32 | 16 |

| Threads | 64 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 300 W | 170 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 4710 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 2x 598 mm² | 2x 70.6 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 336 MB (shared) | 64 MB |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 88 Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Radeon Graphics |

| Launch MSRP | $5250 | None listed |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6745P wins in every multi-threaded benchmark category. Its 88.7% lead in physics and 87.1% lead in prime number finding make it the clear choice for simulation, scientific computing, and any workload that stresses integer arithmetic across many cores. The 66.4% advantage in floating-point math reinforces this for engineering and financial modeling. Data compression and encryption wins of 48.9% and 48.4% respectively point to strengths in database workloads, file servers, and security applications. The 40.7% edge in random string sorting and the 38.5% lead in integer math further cement its position for general server tasks. With 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth and 88 PCIe lanes, the Xeon 6745P is built for massive data throughput and high-density I/O.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 wins solely in single-thread performance, with a 26.3% advantage. This makes it the better option for lightly threaded applications, legacy software that cannot utilize many cores, or tasks where per-core speed is the limiting factor. Its higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz and lower TDP of 170 W also suggest it can deliver strong single-core responsiveness while consuming less power than the Intel part's 300 W. The integrated Radeon Graphics on the AMD chip provides a display output without a discrete GPU, which can simplify certain workstation setups.

The Verdict

The data is decisive: the Intel Xeon 6745P is the superior processor for any workload that can utilize more than a handful of threads. Its 9 out of 11 benchmark wins, including margins of 87.1% and 88.7% in physics and prime number tests, demonstrate overwhelming multi-core dominance. The combination of 32 cores, 336 MB of L3 cache, eight-channel memory with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and 88 PCIe lanes makes it a purpose-built server processor that outclasses the AMD part in every measured parallel workload. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965, despite being in the same 98th percentile of all CPUs, cannot match this performance in any multi-threaded test, trailing by at least 26.3% even in the closest such benchmark.

However, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 is not without merit. Its 26.3% single-thread advantage and higher clock speeds make it the better choice for single-core-bound applications, and its lower TDP and integrated graphics offer practical benefits for certain workstation environments. Users who prioritize raw multi-core throughput for servers, data centers, or heavy compute tasks should select the Intel Xeon 6745P without hesitation. Users whose primary workloads are single-threaded, or who need a lower-power processor with integrated graphics, will find the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9965 more suitable. For everything else, the benchmark results clearly favor the Intel Xeon 6745P.