AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX vs Intel Xeon 6710E Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX dominates single-thread performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 11,431 versus Intel's 7,413, a 54.2% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows an even larger gap: 4,551 versus 1,910, a 138.3% lead for AMD.

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

A: The AMD chip wins all multi-core Cinebench tests by the same 54.2% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD scores 80,976 while Intel scores 52,508. PassMark multithread also favors AMD at 92,604 versus 61,775, a 49.9% delta.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon 6710E win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins two of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Intel part leads in PassMark data encryption with 81,850 versus 66,155, a 19.2% margin. It also narrowly wins PassMark random string sorting with 151,491 versus 149,617, a 1.2% edge.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The Intel Xeon 6710E has 64 cores but only 64 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, using simultaneous multithreading. Intel has more physical cores, but AMD has more logical threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Xeon 6710E boosts to 3.20 GHz. AMD's base clock is 4.20 GHz, which is also higher than Intel's 2.40 GHz base.

Q: How does memory bandwidth differ between the two?

A: Both support eight-channel DDR5 memory, but AMD offers 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth while Intel provides 358.4 GB/s. AMD's higher bandwidth likely contributes to its advantage in memory-sensitive workloads like data compression.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is built on TSMC's 4 nm process node with Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak. It packs 24 cores and 48 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The chip uses AMD Socket sTR5 and features 128 MB of L3 cache. Per core, it has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 cache. The transistor count is listed at 33,260 million across a die size of 4x 70.6 mm².

The Intel Xeon 6710E uses Intel's 5 nm process node with Sierra Forest architecture, codenamed Sierra Forest-SP. It has 64 cores but only 64 threads, as it lacks hyperthreading. Base clock is 2.40 GHz and boost clock is 3.20 GHz. The socket is Intel Socket 4710. L3 cache is 96 MB shared, with L1 at 96 KB per core and L2 at 4 MB per module. The die size is 578 mm², and the transistor count is not recorded in the database.

The architectural philosophies diverge sharply. AMD uses fewer, higher-clocked cores with simultaneous multithreading, while Intel uses many more physical cores at lower clocks without SMT. This explains why AMD wins heavily in single-thread tests and still leads in most multi-thread tests despite having 40 fewer physical cores. The AMD chip also has a larger L3 cache (128 MB versus 96 MB), which helps in data-heavy workloads. Both support ECC memory and Gen 5 PCIe, but the AMD chip provides 128 lanes versus Intel's 88 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. It is the clear choice for single-thread-heavy applications, rendering, physics simulation, integer math, floating-point math, prime number finding, and extended instruction workloads. The data shows massive wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 across both single and multi-core tests, all at a 54.2% delta. PassMark multithread, physics, and integer math also favor AMD by margins between 15.3% and 50.6%.

The Intel Xeon 6710E wins only two tests. It excels in data encryption, scoring 81,850 versus 66,155, a 19.2% advantage. This suggests Intel's architecture may handle cryptographic operations more efficiently per thread. It also barely edges out AMD in random string sorting with 151,491 versus 149,617, a 1.2% margin. These wins are narrow or moderate, but they represent specific niches where Intel's many-core design with dedicated per-module L2 cache helps.

For typical workstation tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or code compilation, the AMD chip is overwhelmingly faster based on the recorded data. For server-side encryption tasks or sorting algorithms, the Intel part may offer a slight edge in specific cases. The overall average benchmark score tells the story: AMD at 147,009 versus Intel at 129,930, a difference that places AMD 13.1% higher on average.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon 6710E has 64 cores and 64 threads. AMD's base clock is 4.20 GHz versus Intel's 2.40 GHz, and AMD's boost clock is 5.40 GHz versus Intel's 3.20 GHz. Thermal design power differs: AMD is rated at 350 W, Intel at 205 W.

The socket types are different: AMD uses Socket sTR5, Intel uses Socket 4710. The process nodes differ: AMD is on 4 nm at TSMC, Intel is on 5 nm at Intel Foundry. The cache layouts are dissimilar: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3; Intel has 96 KB L1 per core, 4 MB L2 per module, and 96 MB L3 shared. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 409.6 GB/s versus Intel's 358.4 GB/s, though both use eight-channel DDR5.

PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides 128 Gen 5 lanes, Intel provides 88 Gen 5 lanes. AMD has an unlocked multiplier, Intel does not. The release dates are different: AMD launched on 2025-07-22, Intel on 2024-06-02. AMD's part number is 100-000000724, Intel's is SRPG2. Neither has integrated graphics. The launch MSRP for AMD is $2899, and for Intel it is $2749, but the database records no further pricing analysis.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for AMD comes in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 4,551 versus Intel's 1,910, a 138.3% delta. This is a massive gap that reflects the clock speed and IPC advantages of Zen 5. The second-largest win is in PassMark extended instructions: AMD scores 108,753 versus 59,625, an 82.4% advantage. This suggests AMD's SIMD and vector processing capabilities are far stronger.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD scores 80,976 versus 52,508, a 54.2% delta. The same 54.2% margin appears across all six Cinebench tests, indicating a consistent performance ratio regardless of workload. AMD's PassMark multithread score of 92,604 beats Intel's 61,775 by 49.9%. PassMark physics shows AMD at 7,529 versus 5,000, a 50.6% win. PassMark find prime numbers has AMD at 752 versus 451, a 66.7% margin.

AMD also leads in PassMark integer math at 349,195 versus 302,954, a 15.3% delta. PassMark floating-point math is closer: 229,685 versus 219,926, a 4.4% margin. PassMark data compression favors AMD at 1,345,230 versus 1,230,786, a 9.3% win. Even in the two Intel victories, the margins are modest: data encryption at 19.2% and random string sorting at 1.2%.

The pattern is clear: AMD wins by wide margins in most compute-heavy tasks, while Intel's wins are isolated to specific workloads. The average benchmark score for AMD is 147,009, compared to Intel's 129,930. AMD's percentile ranking among all CPUs is 98, while Intel's is 97, putting both in the top tier but AMD slightly ahead.

The Verdict

The benchmark data strongly favors the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX for nearly all workstation and server workloads. It wins 15 of 17 tests and holds a 13.1% higher average benchmark score. For users prioritizing single-thread performance, rendering speed, physics, or integer and floating-point math, the AMD chip is the clear choice. The 138.3% single-thread lead alone makes it vastly superior for applications that are not perfectly parallelized.

The Intel Xeon 6710E is the better option only if the workload specifically involves data encryption or random string sorting. Its 19.2% encryption advantage and 1.2% sorting edge are real, but narrow. For a server handling heavy cryptographic workloads, Intel may be worth considering. However, the Intel chip's 64 cores without hyperthreading do not translate into multi-thread wins against AMD's 24 cores with SMT, which is a striking result in the recorded data.

Users who need massive core counts for parallel throughput might expect the Intel part to win, but the database shows otherwise. AMD's higher clocks, larger cache, and superior IPC overcome the core deficit. The AMD chip also offers more PCIe lanes (128 versus 88) and higher memory bandwidth (409.6 GB/s versus 358.4 GB/s), which are important for expandable workstation builds. The Intel chip has a lower TDP at 205 W versus 350 W, which may matter for power-constrained environments, but the performance gap is substantial.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the recommended processor for general workstation use, rendering, development, and most compute tasks. The Intel Xeon 6710E is a niche pick for encryption-heavy or specific sorting workloads where its architecture shows measurable advantages. The data does not support choosing Intel for general-purpose performance, but its specific wins should not be ignored for targeted deployments.