Intel Xeon 6740E vs Intel Xeon 676X Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E has 96 cores and 96 threads, while the Intel Xeon 676X has 32 cores and 64 threads. The 6740E is designed for high-density, multi-threaded workloads, whereas the 676X uses fewer, faster cores.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 676X scores 4015 in PassMark single-thread, which is 50.3% ahead of the 6740E's 1997. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 676X scores 4591 versus 3838 for the 6740E, a 16.4% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in data compression and encryption?

A: The Intel Xeon 6740E wins decisively. It scores 1,786,845 in data compression versus 1,355,807 for the 676X, a 31.8% edge. In data encryption, the 6740E scores 137,106 versus 67,638, which is 102.7% higher.

Q: What are the architecture differences?

A: The 6740E uses the Sierra Forest architecture (Xeon 6, Sierra Forest-SP) with a 5 nm process. The 676X uses Granite Rapids (Xeon 600, Granite Rapids-WS) also on 5 nm. The 6740E is efficiency-core oriented; the 676X uses performance cores with higher clocks.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for both?

A: Both processors support DDR5 with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The 6740E has an average benchmark score of 187,718, placing it in the 99th percentile. The 676X has an average score of 158,540, placing it in the 98th percentile. The 6740E is also 1.4% ahead of the AMD EPYC 8534P, while the 676X is 1.1% behind the AMD EPYC 9355P.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies within Intel's Xeon 6 lineup. The 6740E is built on the Sierra Forest architecture, which is a Sierra Forest-SP generation part. It uses a 5 nm process node and has a die size of 578 mm². The 676X is based on Granite Rapids, specifically the Granite Rapids-WS generation, also on a 5 nm process, but with a dual-die design totaling 2x 598 mm².

The core counts differ dramatically. The 6740E packs 96 cores with 96 threads, meaning it operates without hyper-threading. Each core has 96 KB of L1 cache, and the L2 cache is organized as 4 MB per module. The L3 cache is 96 MB shared. The 676X has 32 cores and 64 threads, so it does use simultaneous multithreading. Its L1 cache is 112 KB per core, L2 is 2 MB per core, and L3 is a larger 144 MB shared.

Clock speeds tell the story of their intended roles. The 6740E has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz, prioritizing efficiency and sustained throughput across many cores. The 676X has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost of 4.90 GHz, which is a substantial single-thread advantage. The 676X also has an unlocked multiplier, while the 6740E is locked.

Both support DDR5 memory with eight channels and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC. PCIe lanes differ: the 6740E has Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only), while the 676X has Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The 676X is a newer release, dated 2026-02-01, versus 2024-06-02 for the 6740E. The 676X has a launch MSRP of $2499, while the 6740E has a launch MSRP of $5265.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between single-thread-heavy and multi-thread-heavy workloads. The 676X wins 11 of the 16 recorded tests, while the 6740E wins 5.

In Cinebench, the 676X dominates every multicore and singlecore test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 676X scores 7806 versus 6525, a 16.4% lead. The same 16.4% delta appears in R20 multicore (32527 vs 27191) and R23 multicore (77447 vs 64741). Singlecore results are similar: R15 singlecore is 1101 vs 921, and R20 singlecore is 4591 vs 3838, both 16.4% ahead for the 676X.

The 676X also wins PassMark multithread with 91,115 versus 76,167, again a 16.4% margin. PassMark physics favors the 676X at 8281 versus 7608, an 8.1% edge. Extended instructions go to the 676X at 105,231 versus 78,968, a 25% difference. Prime number finding is also a 676X win, 738 versus 526, which is 28.7% higher.

The biggest single-thread gap shows in PassMark single-thread: 4015 versus 1997, a 50.3% advantage for the 676X. That is a massive difference, and it explains why the 676X feels far more responsive in lightly threaded tasks.

The 6740E counters in specific data-heavy and integer workloads. Data compression is a strong win: 1,786,845 versus 1,355,807, a 31.8% margin. Data encryption is the largest delta of any test: 137,106 versus 67,638, which is 102.7% higher for the 6740E. Integer math goes to the 6740E at 457,614 versus 354,777, a 29% win. Floating point math is closer, 309,333 versus 283,570, a 9.1% edge. Random string sorting also favors the 6740E, 220,684 versus 137,976, a 59.9% margin.

The Verdict

For workloads that rely on high clock speeds and strong single-thread performance, the Intel Xeon 676X is the clear choice. It leads in every Cinebench test by 16.4%, and its 50.3% advantage in PassMark single-thread is decisive. It also wins in physics, extended instructions, and prime number finding. The unlocked multiplier and 4.90 GHz boost make it suitable for frequency-sensitive applications.

For workloads that scale across many cores and involve data transformation, the Intel Xeon 6740E is the better fit. Its 96 cores deliver massive throughput in data compression, encryption, integer math, and random string sorting. The 102.7% lead in encryption is particularly notable, and the 31.8% compression win shows real strength in archiving and storage workloads.

The 6740E also has a higher average benchmark score (187,718 vs 158,540) and sits at the 99th percentile versus the 676X's 98th. However, the 676X has a lower launch MSRP of $2499 versus $5265 for the 6740E, which is a factor for procurement decisions. The 676X offers more PCIe lanes (128 vs 88) and a larger L3 cache (144 MB vs 96 MB), while the 6740E counters with more cores and a smaller die footprint.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 96 (6740E) vs 32 (676X)
• Threads: 96 (6740E) vs 64 (676X)
• Base Clock: 2.40 GHz (6740E) vs 2.80 GHz (676X)
• Boost Clock: 3.20 GHz (6740E) vs 4.90 GHz (676X)
• TDP: 250 W (6740E) vs 275 W (676X)
• Architecture: Sierra Forest (6740E) vs Granite Rapids (676X)
• Generation: Xeon 6 (Sierra Forest-SP) vs Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS)
• Die Size: 578 mm² (6740E) vs 2x 598 mm² (676X)
• L1 Cache: 96 KB per core (6740E) vs 112 KB per core (676X)
• L2 Cache: 4 MB per module (6740E) vs 2 MB per core (676X)
• L3 Cache: 96 MB shared (6740E) vs 144 MB shared (676X)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 88 lanes (6740E) vs Gen 5, 128 lanes (676X)
• Multiplier: Locked (6740E) vs Unlocked (676X)
• Release Date: 2024-06-02 (6740E) vs 2026-02-01 (676X)
• Part Number: SRPFV (6740E) vs SA2CY (676X)

Where Each One Wins

Choose the Intel Xeon 6740E for scale-out workloads. Its 96 cores and 96 threads are built for parallel processing. Data encryption, compression, integer math, and random string sorting all favor the 6740E, with margins ranging from 9.1% to 102.7%. This makes it a strong candidate for database compression, secure data handling, and large-scale batch processing. The higher average benchmark score and 99th percentile ranking support its position in heavy multi-thread environments.

Choose the Intel Xeon 676X for scale-up workloads that depend on frequency and responsiveness. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock, unlocked multiplier, and 50.3% single-thread lead make it ideal for scientific simulations, physics calculations, and instruction-heavy code. The 676X wins all Cinebench tests by 16.4%, indicating better sustained performance in rendering and content creation tasks that use fewer cores. It also offers more PCIe lanes and a larger L3 cache, which helps in memory-intensive and I/O-heavy configurations.

The data shows no single winner for all scenarios. The 6740E excels in throughput-oriented, data-centric tasks. The 676X excels in latency-sensitive, clock-driven workloads. Select based on the dominant workload in your environment.