CPU Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database places the Intel Xeon 6740E and AMD EPYC 8434P in different performance tiers, with the Intel part winning 14 of 17 head-to-head tests and the AMD part taking 3. The Intel Xeon 6740E holds a 99th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the AMD EPYC 8434P sits at the 98th percentile. The average benchmark score for the Intel chip is 187,718, compared to 146,881 for the AMD chip, a gap of roughly 27.8% in overall database scoring.

For workloads dominated by multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Xeon 6740E is the clear choice. Its 96 cores and 96 threads, combined with a 250 W TDP, deliver consistently higher scores across Cinebench and most Passmark suites. The AMD EPYC 8434P, with 48 cores and 96 threads at 200 W, offers better single-thread performance in Passmark tests and superior extended instruction throughput, making it suitable for lightly threaded or instruction-heavy tasks.

The data suggests that buyers prioritizing raw parallel compute should select the Intel Xeon 6740E. Those whose workloads depend on single-thread speed or specialized instruction sets should consider the AMD EPYC 8434P, despite its lower overall average. The launch MSRP for the Intel Xeon 6740E is $5265, while the AMD EPYC 8434P is listed at $2700. The AMD part also offers more PCIe lanes, 96 versus 88, which may factor into platform decisions.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Xeon 6740E uses the Sierra Forest architecture, built on an Intel 5 nm process, with the die size recorded at 578 mm². It belongs to the Xeon 6 generation (Sierra Forest-SP) and uses Intel Socket 4710. The AMD EPYC 8434P employs the Zen 4c architecture under the Siena codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 5 nm process, with a die configuration of 4x 73 mm² and 35,500 million transistors. It uses AMD Socket SP6 and is part of the EPYC 8004 series.

Core and cache layouts differ significantly. The Intel chip provides 96 cores with 96 threads, no simultaneous multi-threading. The AMD chip has 48 physical cores but also 96 threads, indicating simultaneous multi-threading is enabled. Cache hierarchies diverge: Intel uses 96 KB L1 per core, 4 MB L2 per module, and 96 MB shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on the AMD side could benefit certain data-heavy workloads.

Memory configurations also differ. Both support DDR5, but the Intel Xeon 6740E uses an eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD EPYC 8434P uses a six-channel bus with 230.4 GB/s. The Intel part has a substantial memory bandwidth advantage, which likely contributes to its wins in data compression and sorting tests. Both support ECC memory. The Intel chip provides 88 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the AMD chip provides 96.

Clock speeds are close: the Intel chip has a 2.40 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost, while the AMD chip has a 2.50 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The AMD chip has a slightly higher base clock, but the Intel chip has a higher boost clock. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates differ, with the AMD part arriving in September 2023 and the Intel part in June 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6740E dominates in multi-core compute. Across all three Cinebench versions, R15, R20, and R23, it wins both multi-core and single-core tests by a consistent 14.6% margin. In Passmark, it wins multithreaded performance by 14.6%, data compression by 26.5%, data encryption by 41%, floating point math by 43.4%, integer math by 18.8%, prime number finding by 76.5%, physics by 88.5%, and random string sorting by 75.2%. These are decisive margins, particularly in physics and string sorting, where the Intel part roughly doubles the AMD score.

The AMD EPYC 8434P wins in exactly three areas: Passmark extended instructions, where it leads by 8.4% (86,189 versus 78,968), and Passmark single-thread and singlethread tests, where it leads by 18.4% (2,448 versus 1,997). The extended instructions win suggests the AMD core handles AVX-512-style or similar instruction bursts more efficiently. The single-thread win is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results, where Intel leads by 14.6%. This discrepancy indicates that Passmark and Cinebench measure different aspects of single-thread performance, with Passmark possibly favoring the AMD chip's higher base clock or different instruction scheduling.

For server workloads, the Intel part's memory bandwidth advantage, 409.6 GB/s versus 230.4 GB/s, likely drives its compression and sorting wins. For database or encryption tasks, the Intel part's 41% lead in encryption is substantial. For general-purpose single-threaded applications, the AMD part's Passmark single-thread score of 2,448 versus 1,997 indicates it may feel snappier in low-thread scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 cores with 96 threads. The AMD EPYC 8434P has 48 cores but also 96 threads due to simultaneous multi-threading.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 8434P win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins three of 17 head-to-head tests: Passmark extended instructions by 8.4%, Passmark single-thread by 18.4%, and Passmark singlethread by 18.4%.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E scores 64,741 versus 56,516 for the AMD, a 14.6% advantage for Intel.

Q: Which CPU has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 409.6 GB/s across an eight-channel bus. The AMD EPYC 8434P has 230.4 GB/s across a six-channel bus.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 8434P has 128 MB shared L3, while the Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 MB shared L3.

Q: Are both CPUs on a 5 nm process?

A: Yes, both are listed as 5 nm, but the Intel chip is fabricated by Intel, while the AMD chip is fabricated by TSMC.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the physics test. The Intel Xeon 6740E scores 7,608 against the AMD's 4,036, an 88.5% advantage. This is the largest margin in the entire comparison, suggesting the Intel architecture handles physics simulation workloads with exceptional efficiency relative to the Zen 4c design.

Random string sorting shows a similar pattern. Intel scores 220,684 versus 125,932, a 75.2% lead. Prime number finding also favors Intel heavily: 526 versus 298, a 76.5% difference. These three tests, physics, string sorting, and prime numbers, all involve algorithmic throughput that benefits from the Intel chip's 96 physical cores and high memory bandwidth.

Floating point math gives Intel a 43.4% win, 309,333 versus 215,669. Data encryption shows Intel at 137,106 against 97,254, a 41% lead. Data compression is closer but still decisively Intel: 1,786,845 versus 1,412,835, a 26.5% margin. Integer math has Intel ahead by 18.8%, 457,614 versus 385,290.

The Cinebench results are uniform: Intel wins every test, both single and multi-core, by exactly 14.6%. This consistency suggests the Intel chip has a stable advantage across all Cinebench workloads, regardless of thread count. The multi-core scores are 6,525 versus 5,696 in R15, 27,191 versus 23,736 in R20, and 64,741 versus 56,516 in R23. Single-core scores are 921 versus 804 in R15, 3,838 versus 3,350 in R20, and 9,140 versus 7,978 in R23.

Passmark multithread gives Intel 76,167 versus 66,490, a 14.6% win. The AMD part's only wins are in extended instructions and single-thread tests. Extended instructions show AMD at 86,189 versus Intel's 78,968, an 8.4% advantage. Single-thread shows AMD at 2,448 versus Intel's 1,997, an 18.4% lead. The single-thread result is repeated identically in both Passmark single-thread and singlethread test entries.

Specification Differences

The core count differs substantially: Intel has 96 cores, AMD has 48. Thread counts are equal at 96. Base clocks are close, with Intel at 2.40 GHz and AMD at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are also close, Intel at 3.20 GHz and AMD at 3.10 GHz. TDP differs, with Intel at 250 W and AMD at 200 W.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 4710 versus AMD Socket SP6. The process node is listed as 5 nm for both, but the foundries differ, Intel versus TSMC. Die sizes diverge, with Intel at 578 mm² and AMD at 4x 73 mm². The AMD chip has a transistor count of 35,500 million, while the Intel field is not recorded.

Cache configurations differ in all levels. Intel uses 96 KB L1 per core, 4 MB L2 per module, and 96 MB shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 for both, but the bus widths differ: eight-channel for Intel, six-channel for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 409.6 GB/s for Intel and 230.4 GB/s for AMD. Both support ECC.

PCIe lanes favor AMD: 96 Gen 5 lanes versus 88 for Intel. Integrated graphics are listed as N/A for Intel and null for AMD. Both are active production parts. Release dates differ: AMD in September 2023, Intel in June 2024. Launch MSRP values are $5265 for Intel and $2700 for AMD. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are SRPFV for Intel and 100-000000877 for AMD.