AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX vs Intel Xeon 6740E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors into distinctly different roles. The Intel Xeon 6740E takes six wins, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX takes eleven, but the nature of those wins matters more than the count.

The Xeon 6740E dominates in throughput-oriented workloads that scale with raw core count and memory bandwidth. Its 96 cores and 96 threads give it a massive parallel advantage in integer math, where it scores 457,614 against the Threadripper's 349,195, a 31% lead. Floating point math goes even further in Intel's favor at 309,333 versus 229,685, a 34.7% advantage. Data compression shows a 32.8% lead at 1,786,845 versus 1,345,230, and random string sorting is the biggest gap at 47.5% (220,684 versus 149,617). Data encryption is the single largest margin of all: 137,106 versus 66,155, a 107.2% advantage for Intel. Even physics, a narrowly scored test at 7,608 versus 7,529, goes to the Xeon by a 1% margin.

The Threadripper PRO 9965WX, with 24 cores and 48 threads, wins every Cinebench test across the board. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core variants go to AMD with consistent 20% to 20.1% deltas. Multi-core Cinebench R23 shows 80,976 versus 64,741, while single-core R23 is 11,431 versus 9,140. PassMark single-thread shows the most dramatic separation: 4,551 versus 1,997, a 56.1% lead for AMD. Extended instructions go to the Threadripper at 108,753 versus 78,968 (27.4% ahead), and find prime numbers favors AMD at 752 versus 526 (30.1% ahead). PassMark multithread also goes to AMD at 92,604 versus 76,167, a 17.7% margin.

The pattern is clear. Intel's Xeon wins where massive core counts and shared caches can be fed continuously, while AMD's Threadripper wins where per-core performance and clock speed matter, including most multithreaded render workloads where its higher clocks compensate for fewer cores.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Xeon 6740E if your workload is dominated by data transformation, encryption, compression, or sorting tasks. The recorded data shows it is over 100% faster in data encryption and nearly 50% faster in random string sorting than the Threadripper. It also holds a 31% or greater lead in integer and floating point math. This is a processor built for server-style batch processing where core count trumps clock speed.

Choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX for interactive workstation tasks, software compilation, or any workload where single-thread responsiveness matters. Its 56.1% lead in PassMark single-thread score at 4,551 versus 1,997 is the largest single-core gap in this comparison. For Cinebench rendering, it beats the Xeon by a consistent 20% in both single-core and multi-core tests, meaning it finishes render jobs faster despite having 72 fewer cores. The Threadripper also wins PassMark multithread at 92,604 versus 76,167, which suggests its 48 threads with high clocks outperform the Xeon's 96 slower threads in certain parallel workloads.

For most workstation users, the Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the better all-rounder. It wins more benchmarks, offers superior single-core performance, and its Cinebench multi-core wins indicate real-world render throughput advantage. The Xeon 6740E is the specialist, excelling in data-centric server tasks where its 96-core configuration and large shared L3 cache of 96 MB shine. The Xeon also has a 1% physics win, but that margin is negligible.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides the cleanest comparison of general compute performance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 80,976 against the Xeon's 64,741, a 20% advantage. The same 20% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (34,009 versus 27,191) and R15 multi-core (8,162 versus 6,525), with the 20.1% delta in R15 single-core (1,152 versus 921). The consistency of these deltas across three Cinebench versions suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark single-thread is where AMD's clock speed advantage becomes decisive. The Threadripper's 5.40 GHz boost clock against the Xeon's 3.20 GHz boost clock produces a 4,551 versus 1,997 score, a 56.1% gap. This is the largest percentage delta in either direction in the entire benchmark set, and it explains why the Threadripper feels faster in interactive use.

The Xeon's counterattack comes in data encryption. Its 137,106 score more than doubles the Threadripper's 66,155, a 107.2% advantage. This likely reflects the Xeon's 96 cores working on parallel encryption workloads. Random string sorting shows a 47.5% lead (220,684 versus 149,617), and data compression shows 32.8% (1,786,845 versus 1,345,230). Floating point math (309,333 versus 229,685) and integer math (457,614 versus 349,195) both favor Intel by roughly 31% to 34.7%.

The Threadripper wins extended instructions by 27.4% (108,753 versus 78,968) and find prime numbers by 30.1% (752 versus 526). PassMark multithread goes to AMD by 17.7% (92,604 versus 76,167). Physics is the closest test, with Intel winning by just 1% at 7,608 versus 7,529.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 cores and 96 threads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Xeon 6740E boosts to 3.20 GHz. The Threadripper also has a higher base clock at 4.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor is better for Cinebench rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX wins every Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core it scores 80,976 versus 64,741, a 20% lead. Single-core R23 is 11,431 versus 9,140, also a 20% lead.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor wins in data encryption?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E wins decisively with a score of 137,106 versus 66,155, a 107.2% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6740E and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX support ECC memory. Both use DDR5 with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon 6740E uses the Sierra Forest architecture on a 5 nm process from Intel's own foundry, built for the Xeon 6 generation. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX uses Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, on a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Threadripper is part of the Ryzen Threadripper 9000 series.

The core count difference is stark: 96 cores for Intel versus 24 for AMD. The Xeon runs 96 threads with no hyperthreading, while the Threadripper runs 48 threads from its 24 cores, meaning each AMD core handles two threads. The Xeon's cache hierarchy uses 96 KB of L1 per core and 4 MB of L2 per module, plus 96 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a larger 128 MB L3 pool.

Clock speeds favor AMD substantially. The Threadripper's base clock is 4.20 GHz with a 5.40 GHz boost, while the Xeon sits at 2.40 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. This clock advantage explains the single-thread performance gap. The Threadripper also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked.

Both processors support DDR5 memory with eight channels and identical 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both have ECC support. PCIe connectivity differs: the Xeon provides Gen 5 with 88 lanes from the CPU, while the Threadripper provides Gen 5 with 128 lanes. The Threadripper's transistor count is listed at 33,260 million across four dies of 70.6 mm² each, while the Xeon's die size is 578 mm².

The Xeon uses Intel Socket 4710, while the Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5. Power draw differs, with the Xeon rated at 250 TDP and the Threadripper at 350 TDP. Neither processor has integrated graphics. The Xeon launched in June 2024 with a launch MSRP of $5265, while the Threadripper launched in July 2025 with a launch MSRP of $2899. The Xeon's production status is Active, as is the Threadripper's. The Xeon ranks in the 99th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Threadripper ranks in the 98th percentile.