AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX vs Intel Xeon 6741P Comparison

The Intel Xeon 6741P and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX are both 99th-percentile workstation processors, but they achieve that status through fundamentally different designs. The Xeon 6741P fields 48 cores and 96 threads, while the Threadripper PRO 9975WX counters with 32 cores and 64 threads. Benchmark results show the AMD part winning 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, yet the Intel part still holds a higher overall average benchmark score of 194901 versus 186447, a 4.5% gap. This creates a nuanced picture where the Threadripper dominates in most workloads, but the Xeon’s specific strengths in certain compute patterns keep it competitive in aggregate.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX as the stronger all-around performer for most workstation tasks. It wins every Cinebench test, including an 8.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (93553 vs 85561) and an identical 8.5% advantage in single-core (13207 vs 12079). The Threadripper also takes PassMark multithread by 9.1% (110740 vs 100660) and single-thread by 27.7% (4422 vs 3195). For users running rendering, simulation, or general productivity suites that mirror Cinebench’s workload, the AMD chip delivers consistently higher scores despite having 16 fewer cores.

However, the Intel Xeon 6741P is not without its domains. It wins 5 of the 17 head-to-head tests, with particularly decisive margins in PassMark find prime numbers (87.3% ahead: 1242 vs 663) and floating point math (22.7% ahead: 358423 vs 292100). It also leads in extended instructions by 12.4% and physics by 11.8%. These results suggest the Xeon’s architecture handles certain mathematical workloads—prime number generation, floating-point-heavy calculations, and specialized instruction sets—with greater efficiency. Users whose applications rely on these specific patterns would see tangible benefits from the Intel part.

The choice depends on workload composition. For mixed-use workstation computing, the Threadripper PRO 9975WX offers broader superiority, evident in its 12 wins and its 27.7% single-thread dominance, which matters for lightly threaded applications. For compute-bound scientific or financial workloads with heavy floating-point and prime-number operations, the Xeon 6741P’s specialized strengths could outweigh its overall deficit. In terms of aggregate benchmark score, the Xeon still leads by 4.5% (194901 vs 186447), so it retains an edge in the composite metric that some buyers prioritize.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P has 48 cores and 96 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX’s 32 cores and 64 threads. Despite this core deficit, the AMD part wins most benchmarks.

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

A: The Threadripper PRO 9975WX leads by 27.7% in PassMark single-thread (4422 vs 3195) and by 8.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core (13207 vs 12079). This indicates a substantial advantage for AMD in lightly threaded workloads.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in the head-to-head results?

A: The biggest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Xeon 6741P scores 1242 versus 663 for AMD, an 87.3% advantage. This is followed by PassMark floating point math, where Intel leads by 22.7%.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P has an average benchmark score of 194901, which is 4.5% higher than the Threadripper PRO 9975WX’s 186447. This places the Xeon ahead of the AMD part in the aggregate metric.

Q: Are both processors from the same process node?

A: No. The Intel Xeon 6741P uses a 5 nm process from Intel, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The AMD part also has a higher transistor count at 33,260 million.

Q: Do both support the same memory configuration?

A: Yes. Both support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural approaches. The Intel Xeon 6741P is built on the Granite Rapids architecture, specifically the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation, using a 5 nm process from Intel’s foundry. Its die is composed of two 598 mm² pieces, and it uses a socket 4710. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is based on Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, manufactured on TSMC’s 4 nm process. Its die layout consists of four 70.6 mm² pieces, and it uses a socket sTR5.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The Xeon 6741P features 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 288 MB L3 cache. The Threadripper PRO 9975WX has smaller per-core caches—64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2—but a shared 128 MB L3 cache. This means the Intel part has over twice the L3 capacity, which may contribute to its strengths in certain data-heavy workloads.

The PCIe configurations also differ. The Xeon 6741P provides 136 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Threadripper PRO 9975WX provides 128 Gen 5 lanes. Both parts lack integrated graphics and target the server/workstation market segment. The Intel processor has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The AMD processor has a higher TDP at 350 watts versus 300 watts for the Intel part, though both are active production parts.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ significantly: the Intel Xeon 6741P has 48 cores and 96 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX has 32 cores and 64 threads. Clock speeds also diverge, with the AMD part running at a 4.00 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost clock, compared to the Intel part’s 2.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The process nodes differ as noted, with Intel at 5 nm and AMD at 4 nm. The transistor count for the AMD part is specified at 33,260 million, while the Intel part’s transistor count is not listed.

Die size separates the two: the Intel part uses a 2x 598 mm² configuration, whereas the AMD part uses a 4x 70.6 mm² configuration. Cache sizes differ at every level, with the Intel part having 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 288 MB shared L3, versus AMD’s 64 KB L1, 1 MB L2, and 128 MB shared L3. PCIe lane counts show Intel at 136 Gen 5 lanes and AMD at 128 Gen 5 lanes. The multiplier is locked on the Intel part and unlocked on the AMD part. TDP ratings are 300 watts for Intel and 350 watts for AMD. The launch MSRP for the Intel Xeon 6741P is $4421, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX has a launch MSRP of $4099.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests with consistent margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 9430 versus Intel’s 8624, an 8.5% lead. Single-core R15 shows a similar 8.6% edge (1331 vs 1217). The pattern continues in R20 multi-core (39292 vs 35935, 8.5% ahead), R20 single-core (5546 vs 5073, 8.5% ahead), R23 multi-core (93553 vs 85561, 8.5% ahead), and R23 single-core (13207 vs 12079, 8.5% ahead). This uniformity suggests the AMD architecture sustains its advantage across both multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads.

PassMark results paint a more divided picture. The Threadripper wins in data encryption by 5.2% (94634 vs 89746), integer math by 5.6% (485286 vs 458058), multithread by 9.1% (110740 vs 100660), random string sorting by 13.8% (205730 vs 177322), and single-thread by 27.7% (4422 vs 3195). The single-thread margin is the largest AMD win in any test, highlighting a major advantage for latency-sensitive applications.

The Intel Xeon 6741P claims its victories in PassMark data compression, scoring 1816408 versus 1669837, an 8.8% lead. It also wins extended instructions by 12.4% (142682 vs 126987), physics by 11.8% (13890 vs 12426), floating point math by 22.7% (358423 vs 292100), and find prime numbers by a massive 87.3% (1242 vs 663). The prime number result is the single largest delta in the entire comparison, suggesting the Intel part’s integer processing pipeline is exceptionally well-suited to this workload.

Looking at the overall tally, AMD wins 12 tests to Intel’s 5. Yet the Intel part still posts a higher average benchmark score of 194901, which is 4.5% above the AMD’s 186447. This apparent contradiction arises because the Intel wins tend to occur in tests with larger score magnitudes, such as data compression and floating point math, which carry more weight in the average. The Xeon’s nearest rival data reinforces this: its closest competitor is the Intel Xeon 6740E at 187718 (3.8% behind), while the Threadripper PRO 9975WX sits at 186447 (4.5% behind). For the AMD part, the nearest rival is the Xeon 6740E at 187718 (-0.7%), with the Xeon 6741P at 194901 (-4.3%). Both processors rank in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, confirming their elite status despite their different strengths.