AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX vs Intel Xeon 6736P Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX and the Intel Xeon 6736P are both server and workstation processors, but the recorded benchmark data shows they are aimed at different priorities. The AMD part dominates most compute-heavy workloads, while the Intel chip counters in a few specific tasks. This analysis uses only the database measurements to compare their performance, architecture, and ideal use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, and the margins are often substantial. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 56400 against the Intel’s 42561, a 32.5% lead. That pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite: R15 multi-core shows 5685 versus 4290, R20 multi-core shows 23688 versus 17875, and every single-core Cinebench test also goes to AMD by the same 32.5% margin. The single-core advantage is particularly clear in PassMark single-thread, where AMD scores 3337 versus Intel’s 2024, a 64.9% difference, the largest delta in the entire comparison.

The AMD also wins heavily in PassMark integer math, scoring 281247 versus 206833, a 36% lead. Data encryption shows a 36.5% advantage for AMD (63113 versus 46236), and find prime numbers is 33.4% higher (523 versus 392). Data compression favors AMD by 26.8% (1010067 versus 796658), and extended instructions go to AMD by 21.1% (67300 versus 55563). Floating point math is closer, but AMD still wins with 157708 versus 149770, a 5.3% margin. PassMark multi-thread also goes to AMD, 66353 versus 50072, a 32.5% gap.

The Intel Xeon 6736P takes only two wins, but they are distinct. In PassMark physics, Intel scores 6531 versus AMD’s 4251, a 34.9% advantage. That is the largest win for Intel in either direction. Intel also wins PassMark random string sorting, scoring 103723 versus 99287, a 4.3% edge. No other test in the database favors Intel.

The overall average benchmark score reflects this split: AMD sits at 98504, while Intel is at 87864. AMD also ranks in the 97th percentile among all CPUs, with Intel at the 96th percentile. The AMD’s nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4585PX (delta -0.8%) and the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D (delta 1.1%), while the Intel’s closest competitor is the Intel Xeon 6731P, which it beats by only 0.1%.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX is the clear choice for any workload that depends on raw compute throughput. The data shows it wins every Cinebench test, meaning rendering and multi-threaded media tasks favor it strongly. The 32.5% lead across the Cinebench suite is consistent, so the advantage is not limited to one specific version of the test. For integer-heavy operations, such as database transactions or general-purpose calculations, the 36% lead in PassMark integer math is a strong indicator. The 36.5% edge in data encryption makes it suitable for security-heavy server tasks. Also, the 64.9% single-thread lead means even lightly threaded applications, like legacy software or certain engineering tools, will respond faster on the AMD.

The Intel Xeon 6736P has a narrower profile but wins where the workload is specifically about physics simulation or sorting operations. The 34.9% advantage in PassMark physics suggests that simulation engines, possibly for scientific or engineering modeling, will run better on the Intel. The 4.3% win in random string sorting is smaller, but it still points to a niche advantage for certain data-processing pipelines that involve heavy string manipulation. Beyond those two tests, the database shows no other wins for Intel, so its use case is limited to those specific scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a codename of Chagall PRO. It has 24 cores and 48 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel Xeon 6736P uses the Granite Rapids architecture on a 5 nm process from Intel, and it offers 36 cores and 72 threads, but with lower clocks: a 2.00 GHz base and a 4.10 GHz boost. Despite having 12 more cores and 24 more threads, the Intel chip loses most multi-threaded tests, which indicates that clock speed and architecture efficiency matter more than raw core count in these benchmarks.

Cache configurations also differ. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 128 MB of L3 cache. Intel provides 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 144 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 on Intel could help with certain cache-sensitive workloads, but the benchmark data does not show a broad advantage from it. The AMD chip uses an eight-channel DDR4 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses an eight-channel DDR5 bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, double the speed. Despite that memory bandwidth advantage for Intel, the compute tests still favor AMD, suggesting that the bottleneck is not memory bandwidth in those workloads.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. AMD offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe standard on Intel allows for faster interconnects, but the lane count is lower. Both support ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part has a die size of 4x 81 mm² with 16,600 million transistors, while Intel has a single 598 mm² die with no transistor count listed in the database. The Intel chip includes an integrated graphics solution marked as “N/A,” while the AMD has no integrated graphics at all.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX scores 56400, which is 32.5% higher than the Intel Xeon 6736P’s 42561.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon 6736P win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins two tests in the database: PassMark physics with a score of 6531 versus AMD’s 4251 (a 34.9% advantage), and PassMark random string sorting with 103723 versus 99287 (a 4.3% edge).

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The AMD leads by 64.9% in PassMark single-thread, scoring 3337 versus Intel’s 2024. This is the largest performance difference recorded between the two in any test.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The AMD has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel has 36 cores and 72 threads.

Q: Which processor has faster memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P supports DDR5 with an eight-channel bus, providing 409.6 GB/s. The AMD supports DDR4 with an eight-channel bus, providing 204.8 GB/s.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The AMD has a TDP of 280 watts, while the Intel has a TDP of 205 watts.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The AMD uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses the Granite Rapids architecture on a 5 nm process from its own foundry. Core count differs: AMD has 24 cores and 48 threads, Intel has 36 cores and 72 threads. Clock speeds are higher on AMD: 3.80 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost versus 2.00 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost on Intel. The TDP is 280 watts for AMD and 205 watts for Intel. Sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket WRX8, Intel uses Socket 4710.

Cache sizes differ per level. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3. Intel has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 144 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for AMD and DDR5 for Intel, with the same eight-channel bus but different bandwidths (204.8 GB/s versus 409.6 GB/s). PCIe generations and lanes differ: AMD offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 88 lanes. The AMD has no integrated graphics, while Intel lists integrated graphics as “N/A.” The die size is 4x 81 mm² for AMD and 598 mm² for Intel. Transistor count is listed for AMD at 16,600 million, but no transistor count is recorded for Intel. The release dates differ (March 2022 for AMD, February 2025 for Intel), and the launch MSRP is $2399 for AMD and $3351 for Intel. Both are active production parts with ECC support and locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for most workloads. If the task involves rendering, multi-threaded compute, integer math, encryption, or any single-threaded application, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX is the stronger processor. It wins 15 of 17 tests, with leads ranging from 5.3% in floating point math to 64.9% in single-thread performance. The 32.5% advantage across the entire Cinebench suite makes it the obvious pick for content creation and engineering simulation that relies on those benchmarks. The higher TDP of 280 watts is a trade-off, but the performance gains are recorded across nearly every category.

The Intel Xeon 6736P should only be chosen if the specific workload aligns with its two wins. For physics-based simulation, the 34.9% lead in PassMark physics is significant and could justify the choice. For applications that involve heavy random string sorting, the 4.3% edge is smaller but still present. The Intel also offers lower power draw (205 watts versus 280 watts) and double the memory bandwidth (409.6 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s), which could matter for memory-bound tasks that are not captured in these benchmarks. However, the database shows that in every other measured test, the AMD is faster, often by a wide margin. The overall average benchmark score confirms this, with AMD at 98504 and Intel at 87864. Choose AMD for general workstation performance, choose Intel only for physics or sorting-specific workloads.