Intel Xeon 6730P vs Intel Xeon w7-3555 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably one-sided picture. The Intel Xeon 6730P wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with the Intel Xeon w7-3555 taking only the two single-thread PassMark results. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story about where each processor excels.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the 6730P demonstrates a consistent 9.4% advantage across all six tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 6730P scores 62,996 against the w7-3555's 57,590. The single-core R23 results show the same 9.4% delta, with 8,893 versus 8,130. This uniformity across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads suggests the 6730P's architectural efficiency translates broadly, rather than being confined to highly parallel tasks.

The PassMark results reveal where the 6730P pulls away more dramatically. The largest gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 6730P posts 686 versus 398 for the w7-3555, a 72.4% advantage. This test is particularly sensitive to integer arithmetic and memory latency, and the 6730P's Granite Rapids architecture clearly handles it far better. PassMark physics also shows a substantial 48.3% lead, with scores of 8,606 and 5,802 respectively. Physics workloads often scale with core count and cache bandwidth, and the 6730P's 32 cores and 288 MB of L3 cache provide a decisive edge.

Other PassMark tests show double-digit leads for the 6730P. Extended instructions come in at 96,204 versus 77,619, a 23.9% gap. Floating point math and integer math both show 18.8% advantages, with scores of 226,838 against 190,917 and 290,740 against 244,642. Data compression delivers a 17.7% lead, and random string sorting shows 18.5%. Data encryption is close behind at 16.6%. Even the multithread test, which might be expected to narrow the gap given the w7-3555's higher boost clock, shows a 9.4% advantage for the 6730P.

The only bright spot for the w7-3555 is PassMark single-thread performance, where it scores 3,549 versus 2,995, a 15.6% lead. This is a meaningful result for workflows that depend heavily on single-thread responsiveness, but it stands alone in an otherwise dominant showing for the 6730P.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Xeon 6730P wins 15 of the 17 recorded tests, with the Intel Xeon w7-3555 winning only the two PassMark single-thread results.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 6730P leads by 72.4% with a score of 686 versus 398 for the w7-3555.

Q: How do the Cinebench multi-core results compare?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 6730P scores 62,996 against the w7-3555's 57,590, a 9.4% advantage. The same 9.4% delta appears across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both multi-core and single-core.

Q: Does the w7-3555 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the w7-3555 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3,549 versus 2,995 for the 6730P, representing a 15.6% lead.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 6730P has an average benchmark score of 124,756, while the w7-3555 averages 106,192. Both processors sit in the 97th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The 6730P has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the w7-3555 has 28 cores and 56 threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations and manufacturing nodes. The 6730P uses Granite Rapids architecture built on a 5 nm process, while the w7-3555 uses Sapphire Rapids architecture on a 10 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the die layouts differ substantially: the 6730P uses a 2x 598 mm² configuration, whereas the w7-3555 uses a 4x 477 mm² arrangement.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The 6730P provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 288 MB of shared L3 cache. The w7-3555 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, the same 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 75 MB of L3 cache. This L3 difference, 288 MB versus 75 MB, is likely a major factor in the 6730P's strong showing in memory-sensitive workloads like the PassMark prime numbers and physics tests.

Memory bandwidth also favors the 6730P. It supports 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth over an eight-channel DDR5 memory bus, while the w7-3555 delivers 307.2 GB/s on the same eight-channel DDR5 configuration. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator: the 6730P provides 88 Gen 5 lanes, while the w7-3555 offers 112 Gen 5 lanes, giving the latter more expansion headroom for storage or accelerator cards.

Neither processor includes integrated graphics. Both are aimed at the server and workstation market segment. The 6730P fits the Intel Socket 4710, while the w7-3555 uses Intel Socket 4677. The release dates differ, with the 6730P launching on February 23, 2025, and the w7-3555 on August 23, 2024. The 6730P carries part number SRV5R, and the w7-3555 is SRN75.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: 32 cores and 64 threads for the 6730P, versus 28 cores and 56 threads for the w7-3555. Clock speeds go in the opposite direction. The 6730P has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The w7-3555 starts at 2.70 GHz base and reaches 4.80 GHz boost, making it the higher-clocked part despite having fewer cores.

Thermal design power reflects this difference. The 6730P draws 250 W, while the w7-3555 draws 325 W. The w7-3555's higher boost clock and TDP suggest it pushes harder per core, but the 6730P's architectural efficiency and larger cache deliver better multi-threaded results.

L3 cache is the most striking specification gap: 288 MB for the 6730P versus 75 MB for the w7-3555. L1 cache also differs, with 112 KB per core versus 80 KB per core. L2 cache is identical at 2 MB per core. Memory bandwidth differs as well, with 409.6 GB/s versus 307.2 GB/s.

PCIe lanes favor the w7-3555, which has 112 lanes compared to 88 for the 6730P. The launch MSRP for the 6730P is $3726, while the w7-3555 launched at $2339. Both processors are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data directs different buyers to different processors. For multi-threaded server and workstation workloads, the Intel Xeon 6730P is the clear choice. It leads in every Cinebench multi-core test, every PassMark multi-thread test, and every compute-heavy single-thread test except the PassMark single-thread result. Its 32 cores, 288 MB of L3 cache, and 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth produce advantages ranging from 9.4% to 72.4% over the w7-3555. The 6730P also ranks in the 97th percentile among all CPUs, matching the w7-3555's percentile but with a higher average benchmark score of 124,756 versus 106,192.

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 appeals to a narrower set of use cases. Its 15.6% lead in PassMark single-thread performance indicates stronger per-core responsiveness, and its higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz supports that profile. For applications that cannot effectively utilize many cores and depend on rapid single-thread execution, the w7-3555 offers a measurable advantage. Its 112 PCIe lanes also provide more connectivity for systems with extensive I/O requirements.

However, the w7-3555's wins are isolated. The 6730P even matches or beats it in Cinebench single-core tests, which typically favor higher clock speeds. The 6730P's 9.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, with 8,893 versus 8,130, shows that architectural improvements in Granite Rapids compensate for the clock deficit. The w7-3555's only victories come in the PassMark single-thread test, which measures a different mix of operations.

For most buyers, the 6730P is the stronger overall processor. Its consistent wins across 15 of 17 benchmarks, its larger cache, higher memory bandwidth, and lower TDP make it the more balanced and efficient choice. The w7-3555 remains relevant for single-thread-sensitive workloads and high-I/O systems, but the recorded data shows the 6730P as the dominant performer in this comparison.