AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX vs Intel Xeon 6730P Comparison

Both the Intel Xeon 6730P and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX are 32-core, 64-thread server and workstation processors that land in the 97th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Their overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Intel part scoring 124,756 and the AMD part scoring 124,171, a difference of just 0.5%. However, this overall parity masks dramatically different performance profiles across individual workloads, with the AMD chip winning 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests while the Intel chip wins 4, and those wins are often by wide margins in opposite directions.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX is the general-purpose throughput champion. It wins every Cinebench test, including the R23 multi-core test by 1.6%, and it dominates in PassMark integer math with a 19.3% lead. The data shows this chip is the better choice for workloads that are heavily dependent on raw integer computation, data compression (where it leads by 12%), and data encryption, where its 30.4% advantage is the largest single margin in the entire comparison. The Threadripper also wins the PassMark multi-thread test by 1.6% and random string sorting by 7.8%, indicating strength in varied, mixed-mode server tasks.

The Intel Xeon 6730P, by contrast, is a specialist in specific computational domains. Its most striking win is in the PassMark physics test, where it scores 8,606 against the AMD chip's 4,360, a 97.4% advantage that nearly doubles the rival's output. It also leads in finding prime numbers by 56.6%, floating-point math by 12.1%, and extended instructions by 16.1%. These results suggest the Xeon is the better fit for scientific simulation, physics engines, and workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets or heavy floating-point calculations. For buyers whose primary applications fall into these categories, the Intel part is clearly superior despite losing the majority of benchmark comparisons.

Architecture Differences

The two processors take fundamentally different design approaches. The Intel Xeon 6730P is built on the Granite Rapids architecture and manufactured on a 5 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It features a large die size of 2x 598 mm² and a substantial 288 MB of shared L3 cache. Its memory subsystem is built around DDR5 with an eight-channel bus delivering 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and it provides 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel chip's base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, and it has a 250 W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX uses the Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Chagall PRO) and is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It has 16,600 million transistors spread across four 81 mm² dies, and its 128 MB of L3 cache is less than half of the Intel part's. The AMD chip relies on DDR4 memory with an eight-channel bus, offering 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth — exactly half the Intel part's memory bandwidth. It provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, which is 40 more lanes than the Intel chip but on the older PCIe standard. The AMD chip compensates with higher clocks: a 3.60 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, and it carries a higher 280 W TDP. The Intel part uses Socket 4710 while the AMD part uses Socket WRX8, making them incompatible with each other's platforms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victories in the comparison belong to the Intel Xeon 6730P. Its 97.4% lead in PassMark physics is the standout result, suggesting an architectural advantage in workloads that simulate physical systems. The 56.6% lead in finding prime numbers further reinforces the Intel chip's strength in integer-heavy scientific algorithms. The Xeon also shows a 12.1% advantage in floating-point math and a 16.1% lead in extended instructions, which covers workloads like cryptography and SIMD operations.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX answers with equally decisive wins in other domains. Its 30.4% lead in data encryption is the largest AMD advantage, followed by a 19.3% lead in integer math. The AMD chip also wins data compression by 12%, random string sorting by 7.8%, and single-thread performance by 9.9%. In the Cinebench suite, the AMD chip wins all six tests by consistent margins of 1.5% to 1.6%, showing a small but uniform advantage in both single-core and multi-core rendering workloads. The PassMark multi-thread test also goes to AMD by 1.6%, confirming that on aggregate multi-threaded performance, the two chips are very close, with the AMD part holding a slight edge.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6730P has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 124,756 compared to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX's 124,171, a difference of 0.5%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3,323 against the Intel Xeon 6730P's 2,995, a 9.9% advantage. The AMD chip also wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by 1.6%.

Q: Is there a significant difference in memory bandwidth?

A: Yes. The Intel Xeon 6730P supports DDR5 with an eight-channel bus and delivers 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, which is double the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX's 204.8 GB/s via its DDR4 eight-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor is better for physics-based workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon 6730P is dramatically better in the PassMark physics test, scoring 8,606 against the AMD chip's 4,360, which represents a 97.4% advantage.

Q: Which chip has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel Xeon 6730P provides 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6730P and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX have 32 cores and 64 threads.

Specification Differences

The specifications that differ between the two processors are numerous. The Intel Xeon 6730P has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX runs at 3.60 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. The Intel chip has a 250 W TDP versus the AMD chip's 280 W TDP. The process nodes differ, with Intel using 5 nm and AMD using 7 nm. The Intel part is built on the Granite Rapids architecture with a die size of 2x 598 mm², while the AMD part uses Zen 3 with a die size of 4x 81 mm². The AMD chip contains 16,600 million transistors, a figure not listed for the Intel part. Cache configurations differ significantly: the Intel chip has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 288 MB of shared L3, while the AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3. Memory support differs with the Intel chip using DDR5 and the AMD chip using DDR4. Memory bandwidth is 409.6 GB/s on the Intel part versus 204.8 GB/s on the AMD part. The PCIe configuration differs: the Intel chip offers 88 Gen 5 lanes, while the AMD chip offers 128 Gen 4 lanes. The sockets are different (Intel Socket 4710 versus AMD Socket WRX8), and the launch MSRP for the Intel Xeon 6730P is $3726, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX launched at $3299.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split based on workload type. For users running general-purpose multi-threaded applications, rendering tasks, compression, encryption, or integer-heavy computations, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX is the better choice. It wins the Cinebench suite by a small but consistent margin, and its major wins in encryption and integer math make it the more versatile everyday processor. Its higher clock speeds and lower average benchmark score deficit of 0.5% belie its dominance in these common server and workstation tasks.

For users with specialized computational needs, the Intel Xeon 6730P is the superior option. The 97.4% lead in physics and 56.6% lead in prime number finding indicate a substantial advantage for scientific computing and simulation workloads. Its 12.1% lead in floating-point math and 16.1% lead in extended instructions further cement its position for engineering and research applications. The Intel chip also offers double the memory bandwidth with DDR5 support, which could be decisive for memory-bound workloads even if the benchmark results don't show it directly. Ultimately, the choice comes down to whether the buyer values the AMD chip's broad all-around performance or the Intel chip's specialized scientific and floating-point dominance.