Intel Xeon 6710E vs Intel Xeon 674X Comparison

The Intel Xeon 674X and Intel Xeon 6710E represent two distinct design philosophies within Intel’s Xeon 6 lineup. The 674X is a Granite Rapids part built for maximum single-thread velocity, while the 6710E is a Sierra Forest processor optimized for core count and throughput efficiency. Benchmark data shows the 674X wins 14 of 16 head-to-head tests, but the 6710E’s victories in specific workloads reveal a clear division of labor. The following analysis breaks down the data, focusing on architectural intent and measured performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 674X is dramatically faster in single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3933 against the 6710E’s 1910, a 105.9% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core confirms this, with the 674X scoring 1018 versus 747.

Q: Does the 6710E’s higher core count translate to more multi-threaded wins?

A: No. Despite having 64 cores versus the 674X’s 28, the 6710E loses all multi-threaded Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 674X scores 71566 while the 6710E scores 52508, giving the 674X a 36.3% lead.

Q: Where does the 6710E actually beat the 674X?

A: The 6710E wins in two specific PassMark workloads: data encryption (81850 vs 61195, a 25.2% margin) and random string sorting (151491 vs 127529, a 15.8% margin).

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The 674X has 144 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 6710E has 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The 674X also has a larger L1 cache at 112 KB per core versus 96 KB per core, while the 6710E has a larger L2 at 4 MB per module versus 2 MB per core.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth rating?

A: The 674X is rated at 409.6 GB/s, while the 6710E is rated at 358.4 GB/s. Both support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus.

Q: How does the 674X compare to its nearest rival in average benchmark score?

A: The 674X has an average benchmark score of 143103, placing it 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon 6732P (143444) and 0.8% behind the Intel Xeon w9-3575X (144323). It sits at the 98th percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is clear: the 674X is the general-purpose performance champion, while the 6710E holds two narrow but important niches. The 674X wins every Cinebench test by a uniform 36.3%, indicating a consistent architectural advantage in rendering and 3D workloads. It also dominates PassMark integer math (308968 vs 302954, a 2% lead), floating-point math (243877 vs 219926, a 10.9% lead), and extended instructions (97373 vs 59625, a 63.3% lead). For physics simulations, the 674X is 51.7% ahead (7586 vs 5000), and for prime number finding, it is 53.7% ahead (693 vs 451).

The 6710E’s wins are in data encryption and random string sorting. The encryption result (81850 vs 61195) suggests the 6710E’s 64 cores are better utilized for parallel cryptographic workloads, despite the 674X’s higher clock speeds. Random string sorting (151491 vs 127529) is a memory-latency-sensitive task where the 6710E’s larger L2 cache per module (4 MB vs 2 MB) may provide an edge.

For multi-threaded PassMark, the 674X wins with 84196 versus 61775, a 36.3% margin that mirrors the Cinebench results. This indicates that raw core count alone does not guarantee a win; the 674X’s higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, combined with its larger L3 cache, carries the day in most parallel tasks.

Architecture Differences

The 674X is built on the Granite Rapids architecture, part of the Xeon 600 series (Granite Rapids-WS). The 6710E uses the Sierra Forest architecture, part of the Xeon 6 series (Sierra Forest-SP). Both are fabricated on Intel’s 5 nm process, but they are designed for different purposes.

The 674X has 28 cores and 56 threads, indicating Hyper-Threading support. Its base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The die size is listed as 2x 598 mm², suggesting a dual-die design. The 6710E has 64 cores and 64 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading. Its base clock is 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, and it uses a single die of 578 mm².

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The 674X uses a 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 144 MB shared L3. The 6710E uses a 96 KB L1 per core, 4 MB L2 per module, and 96 MB shared L3. The 6710E’s L2 allocation suggests a module-based design where pairs of cores share cache, which is typical for efficiency-focused architectures.

The 674X has 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the 6710E has 88 lanes. Both support DDR5 memory with ECC, but the 674X’s memory bandwidth is higher at 409.6 GB/s versus 358.4 GB/s. The 674X has an unlocked multiplier, while the 6710E is locked. Neither has integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The table below summarizes the key differences between the two processors:

| Specification | Intel Xeon 674X | Intel Xeon 6710E |

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

| Cores | 28 | 64 |

| Threads | 56 | 64 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 270 W | 205 W |

| Die Size | 2x 598 mm² | 578 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 4 MB (per module) |

| L3 Cache | 144 MB (shared) | 96 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 358.4 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 128 (Gen 5) | 88 (Gen 5) |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Release Date | 2026-02-01 | 2024-06-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $2199 | $2749 |

The 674X has fewer cores but a much higher boost clock and larger L3 cache. The 6710E has more than double the core count, but lower clocks and a smaller L3. The 674X also has more PCIe lanes and higher memory bandwidth. The 6710E was released earlier and has a higher launch MSRP of $2749, while the 674X launched at $2199.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the 674X is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3933 versus 1910, a 105.9% advantage. This is a direct consequence of the 674X’s 4.90 GHz boost clock versus the 6710E’s 3.20 GHz. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the 674X wins 1018 to 747, again a 36.3% margin.

For multi-threaded Cinebench, the 674X wins all three tests by exactly 36.3%. In Cinebench R23, the scores are 71566 versus 52508. This consistency suggests that the 674X’s architectural efficiency per core outweighs the 6710E’s core count advantage in these workloads. The 674X also wins PassMark multi-thread with 84196 versus 61775, a 36.3% margin.

The extended instructions test is the second-largest win for the 674X at 63.3% (97373 vs 59625). This indicates a substantial advantage in vectorized and specialized instruction sets. The physics test shows a 51.7% lead (7586 vs 5000), and find prime numbers shows a 53.7% lead (693 vs 451).

The 6710E’s biggest win is in data encryption, where it scores 81850 versus 61195, a 25.2% margin. This is notable given the 674X’s overall dominance. The other win is random string sorting at 151491 versus 127529, a 15.8% margin. These two tests suggest that the 6710E’s 64 cores can be effectively leveraged for specific memory-bound or parallel cryptographic operations.

Data compression is nearly a tie, with the 674X winning 1236272 to 1230786, a 0.4% margin. Integer math is also close, with the 674X winning 308968 to 302954, a 2% margin. Floating-point math gives the 674X a 10.9% win (243877 vs 219926).

In summary, the 674X is the clear winner for most workloads, especially those requiring high clock speeds, large caches, or extended instructions. The 6710E is specialized for encryption and string sorting, where its core count and L2 cache configuration prove beneficial. The data shows a trade-off: the 674X offers superior per-core performance and overall benchmark dominance, while the 6710E excels only in narrow, specific tasks.