Intel Xeon 6741P vs Intel Xeon 678X Comparison

The Intel Xeon 6741P and Intel Xeon 678X are two 48-core Granite Rapids processors that deliver nearly identical average benchmark scores, but the data shows they achieve those scores through very different performance profiles. The 6741P wins 13 of 16 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the 678X counters with a decisive single-thread advantage and a narrow floating-point victory. The average benchmark score for the 6741P is 194,901, which places it 0.7% ahead of the 678X’s 193,477. Both processors sit in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, and the nearest rival to either is the AMD EPYC 9335, which scores 194,228 — a 0.3% gap from the 6741P and a -0.4% gap from the 678X. The choice between these two comes down to whether the workload favors the multi-threaded dominance of the 6741P or the raw single-core speed of the 678X.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic result in the comparison is in PassMark physics, where the 6741P scores 13,890 against the 678X’s 7,809 — a 77.9% advantage. This is not a marginal win; it is a complete rout in a test that typically reflects heavy multi-threaded computational throughput. The 6741P also shows a 23% lead in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 1,242 versus 1,010, and a 13.1% lead in PassMark integer math, with 458,058 against 405,075. These are substantial, workload-relevant margins that indicate the 6741P is far stronger in compute-heavy integer and physics-oriented tasks.

In content-creation and compression workloads, the 6741P maintains a consistent edge. It leads in PassMark data compression by 7.4%, scoring 1,816,408 versus 1,690,896, and in PassMark random string sorting by 8.1%, with 177,322 against 164,102. Data encryption also favors the 6741P by 7.4%, at 89,746 versus 83,598. The Cinebench suite shows a uniform 2.1% advantage for the 6741P across all five tests: R15 multi-core (8,624 vs 8,444), R15 single-core (1,217 vs 1,192), R20 multi-core (35,935 vs 35,185), R20 single-core (5,073 vs 4,967), and R23 multi-core (85,561 vs 83,775). Even PassMark multi-thread, at 100,660 versus 98,559, gives the 6741P a 2.1% win.

The 678X, however, owns the single-thread crown. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3,758 against the 6741P’s 3,195 — a 15% advantage that is the second-largest margin in the entire comparison. This is a massive gap for a single-threaded test and directly reflects the 678X’s higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. The 678X also wins PassMark floating-point math, scoring 362,070 against 358,423, a slim 1% edge. The only other benchmark where the 678X comes close to winning is PassMark extended instructions, where the 6741P takes it by just 0.9%, at 142,682 versus 141,431.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon 6741P is the superior choice for multi-threaded, throughput-oriented server and workstation workloads. Its 77.9% lead in physics, 23% lead in prime finding, and 13.1% lead in integer math are not noise; they represent a fundamental advantage in parallel compute. The 6741P also wins every Cinebench test, every PassMark multi-thread test, and all memory-intensive operations like compression and encryption. For database analysis, scientific computing, rendering, or any workload that scales across 48 cores, the 6741P is the definitive pick.

The Intel Xeon 678X is the processor for single-thread-sensitive applications. Its 15% lead in PassMark single-thread is the largest single victory in the comparison, and it is the only processor of the two that wins in floating-point math. This makes the 678X a better fit for workloads that rely heavily on per-core performance, such as certain legacy applications, high-frequency trading algorithms, or lightly threaded simulation loops. That said, the 678X has only 192 MB of shared L3 cache versus the 6741P’s 288 MB, and its multi-thread scores trail across the board. The 678X also carries an unlocked multiplier, which is a feature unique to this comparison, but the benchmark data does not include overclocked results.

Given the average benchmark scores and the win count of 13 to 3, the 6741P is the more balanced and generally faster processor. The 678X should only be selected when the specific workload profile prioritizes single-thread latency over everything else.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P has an average benchmark score of 194,901, which is 0.7% higher than the Intel Xeon 678X’s 193,477.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest difference is in PassMark physics, where the 6741P scores 13,890 versus the 678X’s 7,809, giving the 6741P a 77.9% advantage.

Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel Xeon 678X win?

A: The 678X wins PassMark single-thread (3,758 vs 3,195, a 15% lead) and PassMark floating-point math (362,070 vs 358,423, a 1% lead). It also ties with the 6741P in the duplicated single-thread result.

Q: How does the 6741P compare to the AMD EPYC 9335?

A: The 6741P’s average score of 194,901 is 0.3% higher than the AMD EPYC 9335’s 194,228. The EPYC 9335 also sits between the two Xeons, scoring 0.4% higher than the 678X.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon 6741P and the Intel Xeon 678X have 48 cores and 96 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon 6741P has 288 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon 678X has 192 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The two processors share the same core count, thread count, TDP, socket, memory support, and memory bandwidth, but they diverge on clock speeds, cache, PCIe lanes, and release timing. The 6741P has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the 678X has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz but a significantly higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Both are 300-watt parts on the Intel Socket 4710.

The 6741P features 288 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 678X has 192 MB. The 6741P also offers 136 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, whereas the 678X offers 128 lanes. The 6741P was released on February 23, 2025, and has a launch MSRP of $4421, while the 678X was released on February 1, 2026, with a launch MSRP of $3749. The 678X is multiplier-unlocked, while the 6741P is not. Their part numbers are SRVEY for the 6741P and SA2CX for the 678X.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Granite Rapids architecture, codenamed Granite Rapids, manufactured on Intel’s 5 nm process node with a die size of 2x 598 mm². They share the same per-core L1 cache of 112 KB and per-core L2 cache of 2 MB. The key architectural difference is the L3 cache: the 6741P has 288 MB shared, while the 678X has 192 MB shared. This 96 MB difference in shared cache is the most significant architectural divergence and likely contributes to the 6741P’s multi-threaded wins.

The generation labels differ: the 6741P is listed as Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP), while the 678X is listed as Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS). Both support DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus and 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and both have ECC memory support. Neither has integrated graphics. The 6741P is a server/workstation part, and the 678X is also classified as server/workstation. The 678X’s unlocked multiplier is a feature difference, but its lower L3 cache and lower base clock suggest it is tuned for different workloads despite the same core architecture.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6741P wins in every multi-threaded scenario measured. Its 77.9% lead in physics makes it the clear choice for simulation and physics-heavy compute. Its 23% lead in prime finding and 13.1% lead in integer math point to strength in cryptography, hashing, and general integer processing. The 7.4% leads in data compression and encryption make it the better option for database workloads, file servers, and any task that involves heavy data movement or secure transactions. The 8.1% lead in random string sorting reinforces this, indicating superior performance in sorting algorithms and data processing pipelines. The 6741P also wins all Cinebench multi-core tests, making it the better pick for 3D rendering and video encoding.

The Intel Xeon 678X wins in single-threaded performance by a 15% margin, which is its defining characteristic. This makes it the preferred processor for applications where a single core is the bottleneck, such as legacy software, certain database query engines that are not fully parallelized, or interactive workloads with strict latency requirements. Its 1% win in floating-point math suggests a slight edge in scientific calculations that are floating-point bound but not heavily threaded. The 678X’s higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz is the primary driver of these wins, and its unlocked multiplier offers potential for further single-thread tuning, though the benchmark data does not include overclocked results. For any workload that can use more than a few cores, the 6741P’s 13 multi-threaded wins make it the data-backed choice.