CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and Intel Xeon 6774P are both 64-core, 128-thread processors aimed at the highest tiers of workstation and server performance. The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner, but the Intel part carves out a specific niche where it dominates. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, architectural divergence, and the specific workloads where each processor excels.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X secures a commanding victory in the majority of benchmark tests, winning 12 of the 14 head-to-head comparisons. The most striking result is in PassMark's integer math test, where the AMD part scores 872,071 against Intel's 593,440, a massive 47% advantage. This indicates a substantial lead in raw integer processing throughput, which underpins many general-purpose and database workloads.

Single-threaded performance is another decisive win for AMD. In the PassMark single-thread test, the Threadripper 9980X scores 4,537 compared to the Xeon's 3,047, a 48.9% lead. This gap is also reflected in the Cinebench suite; while single-core scores for the 9980X were not provided in the head-to-head for R15, R20, and R23, the PassMark data strongly suggests superior per-core performance, which is critical for lightly-threaded applications and overall system responsiveness.

The Cinebench multicore results paint a consistent picture of overall rendering and compute superiority for AMD. Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23), the Threadripper 9980X wins by an identical margin of 36.2%. For instance, in Cinebench R23, the AMD chip scores 130,529 points versus 95,836 for the Intel Xeon. This consistent delta in a heavily-threaded workload points to a fundamental performance advantage in sustained multicore operations.

Other PassMark sub-tests reinforce AMD's dominance. The Threadripper 9980X leads by 36.6% in data encryption, 29.2% in extended instructions, 28.8% in data compression, 25.6% in multithreaded performance, 20.1% in floating-point math, and 11.3% in random string sorting. These wins cover a broad spectrum of compute tasks, from security and compression to scientific simulation and data processing.

However, the Xeon 6774P is not without its highlights. It delivers a decisive win in the PassMark physics test, scoring 16,023 against AMD's 8,001, a 50.1% lead. This is a significant victory that suggests the Intel platform's architecture is particularly well-suited for physics simulations and collision detection, which are common in engineering and scientific applications.

Intel also wins the PassMark find prime numbers test, with a score of 1,264 versus 769 for AMD, a 39.2% advantage. This test is a classic measure of integer and branch-heavy workload efficiency, and the Intel processor's performance here shows a clear strength in a specific type of algorithm that the broader integer math test does not capture. These two wins, while narrow in scope, are notable for the specific application domains they represent.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectural philosophies and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed "Shimada Peak," and is fabricated on a 4nm process at TSMC. Its die is composed of eight separate chiplets, each measuring 70.6 mm², with a total of 66,520 million transistors. The Intel Xeon 6774P, in contrast, uses the Granite Rapids architecture and is built on Intel's 5nm process. It is a monolithic design with a much larger die, measuring 2x 598 mm².

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The AMD processor features a smaller per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (1 MB) cache but compensates with a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Xeon takes the opposite approach, with larger per-core L1 (112 KB) and L2 (2 MB) caches, and an even larger 336 MB of shared L3 cache. This difference in cache hierarchy can influence performance depending on the workload's data locality and access patterns.

Memory subsystems and I/O are major differentiators. The Xeon 6774P supports eight-channel memory, offering a peak bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, which is double the 204.8 GB/s available on the Quad-channel Threadripper 9980X. The Xeon also provides more PCIe lanes, with 136 Gen 5 lanes compared to 80 on the AMD part. These factors make the Xeon a more scalable platform for memory-bandwidth-intensive tasks and large, multi-GPU configurations.

Other key differences include the socket and platform. The AMD chip uses the sTR5 socket and is described as a desktop part, while the Intel Xeon uses Socket 4710 and is classified as a server/workstation part. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Xeon is locked. The release dates also differ, with the Xeon launching on 2025-05-21 and the Threadripper on 2025-07-29.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data suggests a clear division of labor based on workload type. The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the superior choice for a vast majority of compute-intensive tasks. Its wins in integer math, floating-point math, and extended instructions make it a powerful engine for general-purpose coding, data analysis, and scientific computing. The massive lead in Cinebench multicore tests positions it as a top-tier processor for 3D rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales across many cores. The Threadripper's strong performance in data compression and encryption also makes it attractive for database and file-server applications.

The Xeon 6774P's wins point to a more specialized role. Its 50.1% lead in the PassMark physics test makes it the clear choice for physics simulation, finite element analysis, and other engineering workloads that rely heavily on that specific computation pattern. The win in prime number finding, while less common in mainstream applications, indicates an efficiency in certain integer-heavy loops that could be relevant in cryptography or specific algorithmic research.

Beyond its benchmark wins, the Xeon has structural advantages that make it a winner for specific use cases. The eight-channel memory subsystem, offering double the bandwidth of the Threadripper, is critical for in-memory databases, large-scale virtualization, and other workloads where data throughput is the bottleneck. The Xeon also provides more PCIe Gen 5 lanes, which is essential for systems requiring many high-speed expansion cards, such as multiple GPUs, NVMe storage arrays, or high-performance network interfaces. The Xeon's server/workstation classification and locked multiplier also indicate a focus on stability and platform reliability over overclocking flexibility.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has a significantly higher average benchmark score of 321,753, compared to 300,372 for the Intel Xeon 6774P.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon 6774P win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon 6774P wins two tests: PassMark physics and PassMark find prime numbers. It leads by 50.1% in the physics test and 39.2% in the prime numbers test.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth capabilities of the two CPUs compare?

A: The Intel Xeon 6774P has a substantial advantage, supporting eight-channel memory with a bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s.

Q: What is the difference in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is significantly faster, scoring 4,537 in the PassMark single-thread test compared to the Intel Xeon's 3,047, representing a 48.9% advantage for AMD.

Q: Are both CPUs in the 99th percentile of all CPUs?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X and the Intel Xeon 6774P are in the 99th percentile of all CPUs benchmarked.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon 6774P offers more, with 136 Gen 5 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X provides 80 Gen 5 lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X | Intel Xeon 6774P |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | 9000 series | N/A |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel Socket 4710 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Granite Rapids |

| Codename | Shimada Peak | Granite Rapids |

| Generation | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 5 (Shimada Peak)) | Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 66,520 million | N/A |

| Die Size | 8x 70.6 mm² | 2x 598 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 256 MB | 336 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 409.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 80 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 136 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2025-07-29 | 2025-05-21 |

| Launch MSRP | $4999 | $6760 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000001593 | SRWPC |