AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX vs Intel Xeon 674X Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX and Intel Xeon 674X are both high-end workstation processors, yet the benchmark data paints a clear picture of a dominant performance leader. Across 16 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX secured 14 wins, while the Intel Xeon 674X managed only 2. The AMD part also holds a higher aggregate score, averaging 147,009 compared to the Intel’s 143,103, placing both in the 98th percentile of all CPUs. Given this data, the choice is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the superior choice for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, while the Intel Xeon 674X is only preferable for specific floating-point or physics workloads where it holds a narrow edge.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the clear winner for almost all compute-intensive tasks. Its average benchmark score of 147,009 is 2.7% higher than the Intel Xeon 674X’s 143,103, and it wins 14 of the 16 head-to-head tests. The AMD part is particularly strong in multi-threaded workloads, as seen in its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 80,976, which is 13.1% ahead of the Intel’s 71,566. It also excels in memory-sensitive tasks like random string sorting, where it posts a 17.3% advantage. For users running rendering, code compilation, or data compression, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the data-backed selection.

However, the Intel Xeon 674X is not without merit. It wins the PassMark floating-point math test with a score of 243,877, a 5.8% margin over the AMD’s 229,685, and the physics test with a score of 7,586, a marginal 0.8% lead. These results suggest that workloads heavily reliant on floating-point calculations, such as certain scientific simulations, might see a slight benefit from the Intel part. The Xeon 674X also carries a lower launch MSRP of $2199 compared to the AMD’s $2899, but the performance gap in most tests justifies the higher price for many professional users. Strictly from the performance data, the AMD processor is the recommended pick for general workstation use, with the Intel Xeon 674X reserved for niche floating-point-centric applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is based on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It is a 24-core, 48-thread part with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. In contrast, the Intel Xeon 674X uses the Granite Rapids architecture with the same codename, built on a 5 nm process by Intel. It offers more cores and threads—28 cores and 56 threads—but operates at lower clock speeds, with a 3.00 GHz base and a 4.90 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly between the two. The AMD part features a per-core L1 cache of 64 KB, a per-core L2 cache of 1 MB, and a large 128 MB L3 cache. The Intel Xeon 674X has a larger per-core L1 cache at 112 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 2 MB, but its L3 cache is 144 MB shared. Notably, the AMD processor uses a multi-chiplet design with a die size of 4x 70.6 mm² and contains 33,260 million transistors, while the Intel processor uses a monolithic approach with a die size of 2x 598 mm² and does not have a listed transistor count. Both support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus and offer identical memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, along with ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes.

Other key differences include the socket type and release date. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket sTR5 and was released on 2025-07-22, while the Intel Xeon 674X uses the Intel Socket 4710 and has a later release date of 2026-02-01. Both are active production parts, are unlocked for overclocking, and lack integrated graphics. The AMD part is part of the 9000 series and Ryzen Threadripper generation, while the Intel part belongs to the Xeon 600 generation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon 674X has 28 cores and 56 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has 24 cores and 48 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD processor wins most multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has an average benchmark score of 147,009, which is 2.7% higher than the Intel Xeon 674X’s average score of 143,103. Both processors are in the 98th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is significantly faster in single-threaded tests. It scores 4,801 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 4,551 in PassMark single-thread, compared to the Intel Xeon 674X’s 4,243 and 3,933, respectively. This represents a 13.2% and 15.7% advantage for AMD.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has a launch MSRP of $2899, while the Intel Xeon 674X has a launch MSRP of $2199. The Intel part is less expensive at launch.

Q: Which processor has a higher power draw?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has a TDP of 350, while the Intel Xeon 674X has a TDP of 270. The AMD part has a higher power consumption rating.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and PCIe features?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. They also both feature PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes and support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon 674X has 28 cores and 56 threads. The AMD part has a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz compared to the Intel’s 3.00 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. The TDP also differs, with the AMD part rated at 350 and the Intel part at 270. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel processor uses the Intel Socket 4710.

The architecture and manufacturing processes are distinct, with AMD using Zen 5 (Shimada Peak) on a 4 nm process and Intel using Granite Rapids on a 5 nm process. The AMD part has a die size of 4x 70.6 mm² with 33,260 million transistors, while the Intel part has a die size of 2x 598 mm² with no listed transistor count. Cache configurations also differ: the AMD part has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 128 MB of L3, while the Intel part has 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with 144 MB of shared L3. The release dates are different, with the AMD part released on 2025-07-22 and the Intel part on 2026-02-01. Finally, the launch MSRP differs, with the AMD part at $2899 and the Intel part at $2199.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a consistent pattern of AMD dominance across most test categories. In the Cinebench suite, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX wins all six tests with margins of approximately 13%. For instance, in Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 8,162 versus the Intel’s 7,213, a 13.2% lead. The single-core results are similarly lopsided, with the AMD part scoring 1,152 in Cinebench R15 single-core compared to the Intel’s 1,018, another 13.2% advantage. The largest Cinebench margin is in R23 multicore, where the AMD’s 80,976 beats the Intel’s 71,566 by 13.1%.

PassMark results show a similar trend, with the AMD processor winning the majority of tests. The biggest win for AMD is in random string sorting, where it scores 149,617 against the Intel’s 127,529, a 17.3% advantage. It also wins integer math (349,195 vs 308,968, a 13% lead), single-thread (4,551 vs 3,933, a 15.7% lead), multithread (92,604 vs 84,196, a 10% lead), extended instructions (108,753 vs 97,373, an 11.7% lead), data compression (1,345,230 vs 1,236,272, an 8.8% lead), and data encryption (66,155 vs 61,195, an 8.1% lead). The AMD even wins the find prime numbers test, scoring 752 versus 693, a 8.5% margin.

The Intel Xeon 674X’s two wins are notable but narrow. It takes the floating-point math test with a score of 243,877, which is 5.8% higher than the AMD’s 229,685. It also wins the physics test, scoring 7,586 against the AMD’s 7,529, a slim 0.8% edge. These are the only two benchmarks where the Intel part outperforms the AMD, and the margins are either modest or negligible. Overall, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX wins 14 out of 16 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Xeon 674X winning just 2.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the clear winner for the vast majority of workloads, based on the benchmark data. Its 13%+ advantages in all Cinebench tests, which measure rendering and 3D modeling performance, make it the obvious choice for creative professionals using applications like Cinema 4D or Blender. The PassMark integer math test, which simulates general computation, shows a 13% win for AMD, indicating strong performance in code compilation and financial modeling. Its 10% lead in multithread performance and 8.8% lead in data compression make it ideal for video encoding, large-scale data processing, and backup operations. The 15.7% single-thread advantage is critical for software that relies on per-core performance, such as legacy applications or productivity suites. For anyone needing a general-purpose workstation CPU, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX is the data-driven choice.

The Intel Xeon 674X, while losing the overall comparison, has two specific areas of strength. Its 5.8% win in floating-point math suggests it is better suited for scientific computing, engineering simulation, or any workload that performs many complex mathematical calculations. The 0.8% win in physics is negligible in real-world terms, but it does indicate a slight edge in physics simulation tasks. The Intel part’s higher core count of 28 versus 24, combined with its lower TDP of 270, might also make it an interesting option for power-sensitive environments that need more cores, despite the AMD part’s superior performance per watt in most tests. However, the narrow margins in its winning categories mean that the Intel Xeon 674X should only be chosen when the specific floating-point or physics requirements are the absolute priority, as the AMD part is faster in almost every other measurable way.