AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Xeon 6736P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall winner in the head-to-head comparison, with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX taking 13 of the 17 benchmark wins against the Intel Xeon 6736P. The most dramatic margin comes in single-threaded performance, where the AMD part scores 4530 in the PassMark single-thread test, a 123.8% advantage over the Intel's 2024. This is not a small gap by any measure, and it points to a fundamental difference in how these two processors handle lightly threaded workloads.

The Cinebench suite reinforces this picture. Across all six Cinebench tests, from R15 to R23, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX holds a consistent 39.8% lead over the Intel Xeon 6736P in both single-core and multi-core measurements. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 59494 against Intel's 42561. The single-core R23 result tells the same story: 8399 versus 6008. The uniformity of that 39.8% delta across every Cinebench iteration suggests an architectural edge that scales with clock speed rather than core count.

The PassMark suite shows a more nuanced picture. In multi-threaded performance, the AMD part scores 67035 against 50072, a 33.9% win. Integer math goes to AMD at 236120 versus 206833, a 14.2% margin. Extended instructions favor AMD by 37.4%, with scores of 76363 and 55563 respectively. Data compression also goes AMD's way, 920954 versus 796658, a 15.6% advantage. Floating-point math is closer, with AMD ahead by only 4.3% (156215 versus 149770).

The Intel Xeon 6736P does claim four wins, and they are worth examining. The largest is in PassMark physics, where Intel scores 6531 against AMD's 4156, a 36.4% lead. This is the biggest Intel win in either direction. Data encryption goes to Intel by 4%, with scores of 46236 and 44389. Prime number finding favors Intel by 14% (392 versus 337), and random string sorting goes to Intel by 3.8% (103723 versus 99813). These wins cluster around workloads that often respond well to higher core counts and specific instruction patterns, but they do not offset the breadth of AMD's victories.

Looking at the wider database context, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX sits at the 97th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Xeon 6736P sits at the 96th. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7513 (1.2% behind), the AMD EPYC 8324P (2.2% behind), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX (2.6% behind). The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6731P (0.1% behind) and the Intel Xeon w7-2575X (0.3% ahead). These comparisons show both processors operating in a similar performance tier, but the head-to-head data makes clear that the AMD chip has the edge in most measured tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is significantly faster, with a 123.8% lead over the Intel Xeon 6736P in the PassMark single-thread test (4530 versus 2024). The Cinebench R23 single-core result shows a 39.8% advantage as well, with scores of 8399 and 6008.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX leads in PassMark multi-thread by 33.9% (67035 versus 50072) and in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 39.8% (59494 versus 42561). The Intel part does win PassMark physics by 36.4%, which is a notable exception.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon 6736P win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins four tests: PassMark data encryption by 4%, PassMark find prime numbers by 14%, PassMark physics by 36.4%, and PassMark random string sorting by 3.8%. These are specific workloads where the Intel architecture holds an advantage.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Xeon 6736P has 36 cores and 72 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Despite having fewer than half the cores, the AMD part wins most multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare between the two?

A: Both processors support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel memory bus, and both have a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. This is an area where the two are effectively equal.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has an average benchmark score of 101041, while the Intel Xeon 6736P has an average of 87864. The AMD part sits at the 97th percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel part at the 96th.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Xeon 6736P uses the Granite Rapids architecture, also its codename, built on a 5 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip has a transistor count of 16,630 million spread across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel chip has a die size of 598 mm² with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part offers 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 144 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has more cache at every level, and its L3 is shared across the die rather than pooled differently. This larger cache pool likely contributes to its wins in physics and prime number workloads, where data locality matters.

The socket platforms are entirely different. AMD uses Socket sTR5, while Intel uses Socket 4710. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the AMD part supporting Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only) and the Intel part supporting Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only). Both support ECC memory and have no integrated graphics. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor does not, which matters for overclocking scenarios.

The manufacturing process difference is notable: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 5 nm at Intel. This process advantage, combined with the higher boost clock, helps explain the AMD part's large single-thread lead. The Intel part compensates with more cores and more cache, but the per-core performance gap remains decisive in most tests.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference: the Intel Xeon 6736P has 36 cores and 72 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Clock speeds also diverge sharply. The AMD part has a base clock of 4.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The AMD chip's base clock is more than double the Intel's, and its boost clock is 1.30 GHz higher.

Thermal design power differs as well, with the AMD part rated at 350 W and the Intel part at 205 W. The higher TDP reflects the AMD chip's higher clock speeds and aggressive power delivery. The AMD processor is unlocked, allowing multiplier adjustments, while the Intel processor is locked. The launch MSRP for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is $1649, and for the Intel Xeon 6736P it is $3351.

Release dates differ by about five months, with the Intel part releasing on 2025-02-23 and the AMD part on 2025-07-22. The AMD processor has the part number 100-000000725, and the Intel processor has the part number SRVNW. The AMD chip is classified as a desktop market segment product, while the Intel chip is classified as server/workstation. Both support DDR5 memory with eight-channel buses and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both support ECC memory.

The AMD chip has 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip has 88. This gives the AMD platform more headroom for expansion cards, storage controllers, and accelerators. The process node also differs: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 5 nm at Intel. Cache specifications show the Intel part with more L3 (144 MB versus 64 MB) and larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins 13 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and has a higher average benchmark score (101041 versus 87864). Its single-thread dominance is overwhelming, with a 123.8% advantage in the PassMark single-thread test. The Cinebench results show a consistent 39.8% lead across the board. For most workloads, the AMD part is the faster processor.

The Intel Xeon 6736P is not without merit. Its 36.4% win in PassMark physics is substantial, and it also wins in data encryption, prime number finding, and random string sorting. Its larger core count and larger L3 cache give it an edge in specific computational patterns. The Intel chip also has a lower TDP of 205 W versus 350 W, which matters for dense server deployments where cooling and power budgets are constrained.

For buyers who prioritize raw performance across a broad range of tasks, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the stronger choice. For those who need the specific workloads where the Intel part wins, or who require the lower power envelope and server-class positioning, the Intel Xeon 6736P remains a viable option. The percentile rankings are close (97th versus 96th), but the head-to-head results are not.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins in all six Cinebench tests, covering both multi-core and single-core rendering workloads. It also wins in PassMark multi-thread, integer math, floating-point math, extended instructions, data compression, and single-thread tests. This makes it the better choice for content creation, software compilation, scientific computing, and any workload that benefits from high per-core performance and strong multithreaded scaling. Its unlocked multiplier also makes it attractive for users who plan to push clock speeds further.

The Intel Xeon 6736P wins in PassMark physics, data encryption, prime number finding, and random string sorting. These are specialized workloads. Physics simulations and encryption tasks often respond to the Intel architecture's cache hierarchy and core count. Prime number finding and string sorting are memory-latency-sensitive tasks where the larger L3 cache may help. The Intel part also offers a lower TDP, which is a practical advantage in high-density server environments where power per socket is a limiting factor.

The use-case split is straightforward. Choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX for general-purpose high-performance computing, rendering, and development workloads. Choose the Intel Xeon 6736P for physics-heavy simulations, encryption work, and scenarios where the 205 W power envelope is a hard requirement. Both processors sit at the top of the database's performance distribution, but they excel in different corners of the benchmark suite.