Intel Xeon 6741P vs Intel Xeon 6747P Comparison

Both the Intel Xeon 6747P and Intel Xeon 6741P are 48-core Granite Rapids-SP server processors built on Intel's 5 nm process, sharing the same dual-die design and a massive 288 MB shared L3 cache. The data reveals a close contest, with the 6747P winning 11 of 14 head-to-head benchmarks, yet the 6741P securing notable victories in specific workloads. Despite their architectural similarities, the specification sheet shows the 6747P carries a higher launch MSRP of $6497 compared to the 6741P's $4421, alongside higher power draw and clock speeds, while the 6741P offers more PCIe lanes. This analysis explores what those differences mean for real-world performance and which processor suits which server role.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a picture of two processors that are far more similar than their launch MSRPs suggest. The Intel Xeon 6747P is the overall performance leader, winning the majority of head-to-head tests, but its margin of victory is consistently narrow. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the 6747P edges out the 6741P by a single percentage point each time, with scores of 8712 vs 8624, 36301 vs 35935, and 86432 vs 85561 respectively. This pattern repeats in PassMark multi-thread (101685 vs 100660, +1%) and data compression (1833378 vs 1816408, +0.9%). For buyers prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the 6747P is the clear pick, but the performance gap is marginal.

However, the 6741P demonstrates it is not merely a lesser SKU. It wins the PassMark find prime numbers test decisively, scoring 1242 against the 6747P's 1151, a 7.3% advantage. It also takes the physics test (13890 vs 13398, +3.5%) and the extended instructions test (142682 vs 142557, +0.1%). These wins suggest that for specific integer-heavy or physics-simulation workloads, the 6741P is actually the faster processor. The verdict hinges on workload type: the 6747P for general multi-core dominance and the 6741P for specialized tasks where its strengths align.

The wider market context reinforces this split. The 6747P's average benchmark score of 238263 places it in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the AMD EPYC 9634 at 244274, a 2.5% gap against the 6747P. In contrast, the 6741P's average of 194901 puts it level with the AMD EPYC 9335 (194228, +0.3% for the 6741P). The 6747P is competing in a higher performance tier, while the 6741P sits at a lower, but still elite, level. For system builders, the choice is not about which is "better" in absolute terms, but which processor's benchmark profile matches the intended server's primary duties.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The Intel Xeon 6747P has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Intel Xeon 6741P has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The 6747P is faster in both metrics.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in PCIe lane count?

A: The Intel Xeon 6747P provides Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Xeon 6741P provides Gen 5 with 136 lanes (CPU only). The 6741P offers significantly more PCIe connectivity.

Q: Are these processors the same physical size?

A: Yes, both have a die size of 2x 598 mm² and use the same Intel Socket 4710.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 6747P wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3236, compared to the 6741P's 3195, a 1.3% difference. The 6747P also has higher boost and base clocks.

Q: How much does each processor cost at launch?

A: The Intel Xeon 6747P has a launch MSRP of $6497, while the Intel Xeon 6741P has a launch MSRP of $4421.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same Granite Rapids architecture, with the codename shared between them. Both are manufactured on Intel's 5 nm process and feature a dual-die design with a combined die size of 2x 598 mm². The core layout is identical: 48 cores, 96 threads, 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 288 MB L3 cache. There is no integrated graphics on either chip, and both are intended for the Server/Workstation market segment.

The architectural differences are minimal, but the data reveals one key distinction in the specification sheet beyond clocks and power. The 6741P offers a greater number of PCIe lanes, 136 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) versus the 6747P's 88 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This suggests that while the 6747P is optimized for compute density, the 6741P may be intended for systems requiring more I/O expansion or high-bandwidth peripheral connectivity. Both share the same memory architecture, with DDR5 support, an eight-channel bus, and identical 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, so memory-bound workloads will see no difference between them.

The production status of both is Active, and they share the same release date of 2025-02-23. The part numbers differ (SRVEZ for the 6747P, SRVEY for the 6741P), but they belong to the same Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is not supported. The fundamental architecture is the same; the differences are in binning and feature allocation.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows that the two processors diverge in three primary areas: clock speed, thermal design power (TDP), and PCIe lane count. The Intel Xeon 6747P operates at a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Xeon 6741P operates at 2.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. This 200 MHz advantage in both base and boost clocks for the 6747P is the most likely driver of its benchmark wins. Consequently, the 6747P has a higher TDP of 330 watts, compared to the 6741P's 300 watts, reflecting the additional power required to sustain those higher frequencies.

The PCIe lane count is a significant differentiator. The 6741P provides 136 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the 6747P provides 88 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This is a 54.5% increase in PCIe lanes for the 6741P, which could be crucial for servers with many NVMe drives or multiple high-speed network cards. The launch MSRP also differs, with the 6747P listed at $6497 and the 6741P at $4421, a gap that is not mirrored by a proportional performance gap in the benchmark data.

All other specifications are identical: 48 cores, 96 threads, the same cache hierarchy (112 KB L1, 2 MB L2, 288 MB L3), the same memory support (DDR5, eight-channel, 409.6 GB/s), and the same socket (Intel Socket 4710). The process node, foundry, and die size are also the same. The lack of integrated graphics and unlocked multipliers applies to both. The part numbers are distinct, but the architectural foundation is the same.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent but narrow lead for the Intel Xeon 6747P across most multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 6747P scores 8712 against 8624 for the 6741P, a 1% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 (36301 vs 35935, +1%) and Cinebench R23 (86432 vs 85561, +1%). The PassMark multi-thread test shows a similar 1% edge (101685 vs 100660). These results indicate that the 6747P's higher clock speeds translate into a small but consistent performance uplift in rendering and general multi-core tasks.

The 6747P also wins in several PassMark sub-tests. It leads in integer math (468518 vs 458058, +2.3%), floating-point math (365904 vs 358423, +2.1%), random string sorting (180382 vs 177322, +1.7%), and data encryption (90789 vs 89746, +1.2%). The single-thread test also goes to the 6747P (3236 vs 3195, +1.3%). These wins suggest the 6747P is the better all-around performer, particularly in arithmetic and encryption-heavy tasks.

However, the 6741P secures three wins, and its victory in find prime numbers is decisive. The 6741P scores 1242 against the 6747P's 1151, a 7.3% margin that is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set. The 6741P also wins the physics test (13890 vs 13398, +3.5%) and the extended instructions test (142682 vs 142557, +0.1%). These results are counterintuitive given the 6747P's clock advantage, implying that the 6741P may have a more favorable binning for certain instruction paths or that the specific workload is not clock-bound. The data suggests that for prime-number calculation and physics simulations, the 6741P is the superior choice.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6747P is the winner for workloads that demand maximum multi-threaded throughput across a broad spectrum of tasks. Its wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, along with PassMark multi-thread, integer math, floating-point math, and data encryption, make it the default choice for general-purpose compute, render farms, and database workloads. The 6747P's higher clock speeds and resulting 1-2% performance edge in these tests, while modest, make it the safer bet for mixed server environments where workloads are varied and unpredictable. Its 99th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 238263, places it firmly in the top tier.

The Intel Xeon 6741P is the winner for specialized workloads where its benchmark victories are significant. The 7.3% lead in find prime numbers and the 3.5% lead in physics suggest it is the better choice for scientific computing, mathematical modeling, or physics simulation tasks. The 6741P's greater PCIe lane count (136 vs 88) also makes it the winner for I/O-intensive applications, such as large-scale storage servers or systems with many accelerators. Its average benchmark score of 194901 puts it level with the AMD EPYC 9335, indicating it is a solid performer in its own right, but its strengths are more niche.

The data implies a clear division of labor. The 6747P is the generalist, winning 11 of 14 benchmarks and providing consistent, if marginal, performance advantages across the board. The 6741P is the specialist, winning the tests where it excels by larger margins and offering superior I/O capabilities. For a server with a known workload profile, the 6741P could deliver equal or better performance at a lower launch MSRP. For an unknown or diverse workload, the 6747P's broader dominance makes it the more reliable choice.