Intel Xeon 6511P vs Intel Xeon w5-3525 Comparison
Intel Xeon 6511P
Xeon w5-3525
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon 6511P vs Intel Xeon w5-3525
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two 16-core Intel Xeon processors. The Intel Xeon 6511P dominates the multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, while the Intel Xeon w5-3525 claims victory only in single-threaded PassMark tests and a single multi-threaded workload.
The 6511P takes the Cinebench suite outright. In Cinebench R15, it scores 4152 versus 3927 in multi-core, a 5.7% advantage, and 586 versus 554 in single-core, a 5.8% lead. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 with 17302 against 16364 (5.7% multi-core) and 2442 against 2310 (5.7% single-core). Cinebench R23 shows the same 5.7% margin in both tests, with the 6511P posting 41196 multi-core and 5815 single-core, while the w5-3525 records 38964 and 5500 respectively.
The largest single delta appears in PassMark physics, where the 6511P scores 4678 against 3002, a commanding 55.8% lead. PassMark find prime numbers also shows a substantial gap: 308 versus 218, a 41.3% advantage for the 6511P. These two results indicate the Granite Rapids part carries significantly stronger computational throughput for integer-heavy and physics simulation workloads.
Other PassMark tests favor the 6511P by smaller margins. Random string sorting goes to the 6511P at 67809 versus 63579, a 6.7% difference. Data compression shows 640808 against 607435, a 5.5% edge. Floating point math favors the 6511P at 127307 versus 121050, a 5.2% gap. Integer math follows at 162524 versus 155282, a 4.7% lead. Data encryption and extended instructions both show 3.0% advantages for the 6511P, with scores of 31429 against 30507 and 50730 against 49242 respectively.
The w5-3525 wins PassMark single-thread and singlethread (recorded as the same test with identical scores) by a wide margin: 3330 versus 2545, a 23.6% advantage. This reflects its higher boost clock. The only multi-threaded PassMark test the w5-3525 wins is multithread, where it scores 45841 against 45687, a narrow 0.3% edge.
Overall, the head-to-head tally shows 14 wins for the 6511P and 3 wins for the w5-3525. The 6511P’s average benchmark score sits at 71051, while the w5-3525 averages 67673, a difference of approximately 5.0%. Both processors land in the 94th percentile against all CPUs in the database.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher single-threaded PassMark score?
A: The Intel Xeon w5-3525 scores 3330 in PassMark single-thread, compared to 2545 for the Intel Xeon 6511P, a 23.6% advantage.
Q: How large is the gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?
A: The Intel Xeon 6511P scores 41196, while the Intel Xeon w5-3525 scores 38964, giving the 6511P a 5.7% lead.
Q: Which processor demonstrates the biggest performance delta in any benchmark?
A: PassMark physics shows the largest gap, with the Intel Xeon 6511P at 4678 and the Intel Xeon w5-3525 at 3002, a 55.8% difference.
Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?
A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6511P and the Intel Xeon w5-3525 are recorded at the 94th percentile versus all CPUs.
Q: What are the nearest rivals to each processor according to average benchmark score?
A: The 6511P is within 0.2% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (70879) and 0.4% behind the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 (71370). The w5-3525 is within 0.2% of the AMD EPYC 4484PX (67822) and 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX (67868).
Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head comparisons?
A: The Intel Xeon 6511P wins 14 of the 17 recorded benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Xeon w5-3525 wins 3.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Xeon 6511P is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its consistent 5.7% lead across all three Cinebench versions, both single and multi-core, indicates that the Granite Rapids architecture delivers balanced improvements across the board. The 55.8% margin in PassMark physics and 41.3% margin in prime number finding point to strong integer and simulation performance, making it the better fit for compute-heavy scientific or engineering tasks.
The 6511P also handles data throughput tasks well. Data compression, floating point math, integer math, and random string sorting all favor it by margins between 4.7% and 6.7%. For workloads involving encryption or extended instruction sets, the 3.0% advantages reinforce the 6511P’s overall compute superiority.
The Intel Xeon w5-3525 wins decisively in single-threaded PassMark performance with its 23.6% lead. This makes it the better option for lightly threaded workloads that depend heavily on raw clock speed. Its boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to 4.20 GHz for the 6511P explains this advantage. The w5-3525 also edges out the 6511P in the PassMark multithread test by 0.3%, though this margin is small enough to be considered a statistical tie.
For users running mostly single-threaded applications, the w5-3525 offers a meaningful speed advantage. For multi-threaded rendering, simulation, and data processing, the 6511P delivers superior results across nearly every measured category.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several core specifications. The Intel Xeon 6511P has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Xeon w5-3525 runs at 3.20 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost, giving it higher clocks in both regimes.
Thermal design power differs substantially: the 6511P is rated at 150 watts, while the w5-3525 draws 290 watts. Both use DDR5 memory with eight-channel support, but the 6511P offers 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth compared to 307.2 GB/s for the w5-3525.
The processors use different sockets. The 6511P fits Intel Socket 4710, while the w5-3525 uses Intel Socket 4677. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the 6511P providing Gen 5, 136 lanes (CPU only) and the w5-3525 providing Gen 5, 112 lanes (CPU only). Both support ECC memory and lack integrated graphics.
The 6511P has a launch MSRP of $815, while the w5-3525 has a launch MSRP of $1339. The 6511P released on 2025-02-23, and the w5-3525 released on 2024-08-23. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and have active production status.
Cache configurations also differ. The 6511P features 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 72 MB of shared L3 cache. The w5-3525 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 45 MB of L3 cache. The 6511P thus offers 27 MB more shared L3 cache.
Architecture Differences
The Intel Xeon 6511P is built on Granite Rapids architecture, part of the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation. It uses a 5 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The Intel Xeon w5-3525 uses Sapphire Rapids architecture, part of the Xeon W (Sapphire Rapids) generation, on a 10 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.
The die size differs significantly. The w5-3525 is listed with a die size of 4x 477 mm², indicating a four-tile design. The 6511P does not have a recorded die size in the database, but the smaller 5 nm process node suggests a different physical implementation.
The cache hierarchy reflects architectural differences. The 6511P has 112 KB of L1 cache per core versus 80 KB per core for the w5-3525, a 40% larger per-core L1. L2 cache is identical at 2 MB per core for both. The 6511P’s L3 cache of 72 MB shared is 60% larger than the w5-3525’s 45 MB.
Memory bandwidth differences align with the architectural generational gap. The 6511P delivers 409.6 GB/s versus 307.2 GB/s for the w5-3525, a 33% advantage. This likely stems from improved memory controllers on the Granite Rapids design.
The 6511P also provides more PCIe lanes: 136 Gen 5 lanes versus 112 Gen 5 lanes for the w5-3525. This gives the 6511P additional expansion capacity for GPUs, storage controllers, or networking hardware.
Both processors use the same core and thread counts (16 cores, 32 threads) and share the same eight-channel DDR5 memory bus. The production status for both is active, and neither features integrated graphics. The architectural differences in process node, cache layout, and memory bandwidth explain the 6511P’s benchmark dominance, while the w5-3525’s higher clock speeds explain its single-threaded PassMark win.