CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon 6740E and AMD EPYC 9355P represent two fundamentally different approaches to server processing. The Intel part is a 96-core efficiency monster built for scale-out throughput, while the AMD chip is a 32-core Zen 5 powerhouse focused on raw per-thread speed and high-frequency performance. The benchmark data shows a clear split: AMD wins 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, but Intel takes the remaining 5 with decisive margins in specific enterprise workloads. This is not a case of one chip being universally better; it is a case of matching silicon to workload.

The Verdict

Choose the AMD EPYC 9355P for general-purpose compute, database serving, and any workload where single-thread speed and high clock rates translate directly to user-facing latency or per-license performance. The data is unambiguous: it wins every Cinebench test by 21.7% and dominates PassMark single-thread by 46.7%, plus physics by 43.7% and prime number finding by 49.6%. If your software is licensed per core, the 32-core/64-thread AMD part also offers a far smaller core count footprint for the same or better throughput in these tests.

Choose the Intel Xeon 6740E for data compression, encryption, and floating-point or integer math throughput. It wins data compression by 25%, data encryption by 69.3%, floating-point math by 20.5%, integer math by 11.1%, and random string sorting by 24.9%. The 96-core design clearly excels at parallel, memory-bandwidth-heavy operations that do not depend on high per-core clocks. If your pipeline is dominated by compression or cryptography, the Intel chip is the answer, despite its overall lower average benchmark score.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon 6740E uses the Sierra Forest architecture on a 5 nm Intel process, with a die size of 578 mm². It packs 96 cores and 96 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. Each core has 96 KB of L1 cache, and each module has 4 MB of L2 cache, with 96 MB of shared L3. This is a density-optimized design, confirmed by its 250 W TDP and its launch date of June 2024.

The AMD EPYC 9355P uses Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with 66,520 million transistors spread across 8 chiplets, each 70.6 mm². It has 32 cores and 64 threads, with 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB shared L3 cache. Base clock is 3.55 GHz and boost is 4.40 GHz, versus 2.40 GHz and 3.20 GHz for Intel. The AMD chip runs hotter at 280 W TDP but delivers far higher clocks. Socket differences are also significant: Intel uses Socket 4710, AMD uses SP5. AMD has a twelve-channel memory bus with 576.0 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel has eight channels and 409.6 GB/s. Both support DDR5 and ECC, and both lack integrated graphics. PCIe Gen 5 lanes favor AMD with 128 CPU lanes versus 88 for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 9355P wins in every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23, both multi and single core) by a consistent 21.7%. It also wins PassMark extended instructions by 26.6%, find prime numbers by 49.6%, multithread by 21.2%, physics by 43.7%, and single-thread by 46.7%. These are the classic signs of a high-frequency processor with strong IPC. Workloads that are latency-sensitive, branch-heavy, or poorly parallelized will clearly favor the AMD part.

The Intel Xeon 6740E wins in data compression (25% ahead), data encryption (69.3% ahead), floating-point math (20.5% ahead), integer math (11.1% ahead), and random string sorting (24.9% ahead). These wins come from the sheer number of cores (96 versus 32) and the ability to push massive parallel throughput. Note that the Intel chip wins despite having fewer threads per core and lower clocks, which highlights the advantage of core count in embarrassingly parallel tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 9355P is far ahead. It scores 3747 in PassMark single-thread versus 1997 for the Intel Xeon 6740E, a 46.7% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core also favors AMD at 11670 versus 9140.

Q: Is the Intel Xeon 6740E better for encryption?

A: Yes, decisively. Intel scores 137106 in PassMark data encryption versus 80961 for AMD, a 69.3% lead. This is the largest single margin in the entire comparison.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 9355P have more L3 cache?

A: Yes. The AMD part has 256 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 MB shared. AMD also has 1 MB of L2 per core versus Intel's 4 MB per module.

Q: Which CPU has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD EPYC 9355P, with 576.0 GB/s over a twelve-channel memory bus. The Intel Xeon 6740E offers 409.6 GB/s over eight channels.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 cores and 96 threads (no SMT). The AMD EPYC 9355P has 32 cores and 64 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD EPYC 9355P boosts to 4.40 GHz, versus 3.20 GHz for the Intel Xeon 6740E. Base clocks are 3.55 GHz and 2.40 GHz respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern is the uniform Cinebench sweep for AMD. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and single-core, the AMD EPYC 9355P wins every test by exactly 21.7%. For example, Cinebench R23 multicore shows 82666 for AMD versus 64741 for Intel, and R23 single-core shows 11670 versus 9140. This consistency suggests a fundamental per-clock advantage, not a workload-specific quirk.

In PassMark, the split is stark. The biggest AMD win is in find prime numbers: 1044 versus 526, a 49.6% margin. Single-thread follows at 46.7% (3747 vs 1997), physics at 43.7% (13515 vs 7608), and extended instructions at 26.6% (107622 vs 78968). The AMD multithread score of 96603 beats Intel's 76167 by 21.2%.

The Intel wins are also substantial. Data encryption is the standout: 137106 versus 80961, a 69.3% lead. Data compression follows at 25% (1786845 vs 1429976), random string sorting at 24.9% (220684 vs 176697), floating-point math at 20.5% (309333 vs 256635), and integer math at 11.1% (457614 vs 412067). These are not marginal wins; they are large enough to justify picking Intel for dedicated compression or crypto servers.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon 6740E | AMD EPYC 9355P |

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

| Cores | 96 | 32 |

| Threads | 96 | 64 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.55 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 250 W | 280 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 4710 | AMD Socket SP5 |

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

| Die Size | 578 mm² | 8x 70.6 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB per module | 1 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 96 MB shared | 256 MB shared |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Twelve-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 576.0 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 88 | Gen 5, 128 |

| Launch MSRP | $5265 | $2998 |

| Release Date | June 2024 | October 2024 |

The database shows two very different tools. The AMD EPYC 9355P is the higher-performing chip in the majority of tests, particularly where clock speed and IPC matter. The Intel Xeon 6740E is the specialist for parallel throughput in compression, encryption, and math-heavy tasks. Neither is a universal winner, and the correct choice depends entirely on the workload profile.