AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX vs Intel Xeon 6774P Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX and Intel Xeon 6774P are both 64-core, 128-thread workstation behemoths, but the benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD part posts an average benchmark score of 320,749 against Intel's 300,372, a gap of roughly 6.8 percent. While both sit in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, the Threadripper PRO 9985WX wins 12 of the 14 head-to-head comparisons, often by substantial double-digit margins, making it the default choice for raw throughput in most workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Xeon 6774P tops out at 3.90 GHz. This 1.5 GHz difference heavily influences the AMD chip's single-threaded advantage.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper PRO 9985WX scores 132,859 compared to the Xeon's 95,836, a 38.6 percent advantage. The same 38.6 percent delta appears in both Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Xeon 6774P wins two of the 14 head-to-head tests. It takes the PassMark find prime numbers test with a score of 1,264 versus 1,138 for AMD, and the physics test with 16,023 against 13,783, representing 10 percent and 14 percent leads respectively.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: There is no difference. Both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX and Intel Xeon 6774P support DDR5 memory over an eight-channel bus, delivering an identical 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel Xeon 6774P does not. This gives AMD users additional tuning flexibility that Intel lacks.

Q: Which CPU has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon 6774P offers 336 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX provides 256 MB of L3 cache. Despite Intel's larger pool, AMD wins most cache-sensitive benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, and manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Xeon 6774P uses the Granite Rapids architecture, also codenamed Granite Rapids, and is fabricated on Intel's 5 nm process. This process node difference gives AMD a manufacturing advantage, with the Threadripper PRO using an 8x 70.6 mm² die configuration totaling 66,520 million transistors, while Intel uses a 2x 598 mm² layout.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, backed by 256 MB of L3 cache. Intel's design gives each core 112 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with a larger 336 MB shared L3 pool. Intel's larger per-core caches and total L3 do not translate into a performance win, as AMD's higher clocks and more efficient core design dominate most tests.

Both platforms support DDR5 memory with eight-channel buses and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both feature ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity is similar but not identical: AMD provides 128 Gen 5 lanes, while Intel offers 136 Gen 5 lanes. The socket situation is entirely different, with AMD using Socket sTR5 and Intel using Socket 4710. Neither chip includes integrated graphics, and both target the server and workstation market segment. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, a feature absent on the Intel chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX dominates the head-to-head results with a 12-2 record, and the margins are often staggering. The largest win comes in integer math, where AMD scores 872,710 against Intel's 593,440, a 47.1 percent advantage. Single-thread performance shows the same 47.1 percent delta, with AMD posting 4,482 versus Intel's 3,047 in both PassMark single-thread tests. This dual dominance indicates AMD's clock speed advantage translates directly into both integer throughput and raw single-core capability.

Multi-core rendering is a consistent story across all three Cinebench versions. The Threadripper PRO 9985WX scores 13,392, 55,800, and 132,859 in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests respectively, against Intel's 9,660, 40,251, and 95,836. Every single test shows exactly a 38.6 percent delta in AMD's favor, underscoring a uniform scaling advantage across rendering workloads. This is the kind of consistent gap that makes the Intel part difficult to recommend for 3D rendering or video encoding tasks.

Data-centric workloads also favor AMD heavily. Data compression scores 2,912,972 for AMD versus 2,309,868 for Intel, a 26.1 percent lead. Data encryption shows a 34.6 percent gap, with AMD at 154,824 and Intel at 115,025. Extended instructions follow with a 27.1 percent delta, as AMD hits 225,340 against Intel's 177,273. Floating-point math gives AMD an 18.9 percent edge, 553,348 versus 465,314, while random string sorting shows a 25.4 percent advantage, 329,014 versus 262,417. The multithread test rounds out AMD's wins with a 33.1 percent margin, 150,071 versus 112,749.

Intel's two wins are narrow but notable. The find prime numbers test sees Intel score 1,264 against AMD's 1,138, a 10 percent advantage. Physics is Intel's best result, with 16,023 versus 13,783, a 14 percent lead. These wins suggest Intel's architecture has specific strengths in prime calculation and physics simulation, but they are isolated bright spots in an otherwise one-sided contest. The overall benchmark score difference, 320,749 versus 300,372, reflects AMD's broader superiority.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for most buyers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX outperforms the Intel Xeon 6774P in 12 of 14 benchmarks, with average score leads ranging from 18.9 percent in floating-point math to 47.1 percent in integer math and single-thread tests. The consistent 38.6 percent Cinebench multi-core advantage makes AMD the obvious pick for rendering, scientific computing, and any workload that scales across cores. The unlocked multiplier adds further appeal for users who want to push beyond stock performance.

The Intel Xeon 6774P should only be considered by those with specific workloads that match its strengths. Its 10 percent lead in prime number finding and 14 percent lead in physics indicate targeted advantages in those niches. The larger 336 MB L3 cache might also benefit certain data-heavy applications, although the benchmark results do not show a broad cache-related win. For general workstation use, mixed workloads, or single-threaded applications, the AMD part's 47.1 percent single-thread advantage is decisive.

Users running physics simulations or prime-number-intensive algorithms may find the Intel Xeon 6774P competitive, but they would be choosing a specialized tool over a general-purpose powerhouse. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers superior performance across the vast majority of tests, making it the recommended option for virtually all workstation scenarios. The launch MSRP for AMD is $7999, while Intel's is $6760.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX | Intel Xeon 6774P |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 5 nm (Intel) |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 66,520 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 8x 70.6 mm² | 2x 598 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 256 MB | 336 MB (shared) |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel Socket 4710 |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 128 Lanes | Gen 5, 136 Lanes |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Release Date | 2025-07-22 | 2025-05-21 |

| Launch MSRP | $7999 | $6760 |

| Part Number | 100-000000722 | SRWPC |