Intel Xeon 6774P vs Intel Xeon 6960P Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon 6960P is the clear performance leader in this comparison, winning all 14 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. With 72 cores and 144 threads against the Xeon 6774P's 64 cores and 128 threads, the 6960P consistently delivers between 7.9% and 55.6% higher scores depending on the workload. The Xeon 6774P is the more restrained option, drawing 350 W against the 6960P's 500 W, and it uses a smaller die configuration (2x 598 mm² versus 3x 598 mm²) with less shared L3 cache (336 MB versus 432 MB). If raw throughput is the only goal, the 6960P is the obvious pick. If platform flexibility, lower power draw, and more PCIe lanes matter more, the 6774P deserves attention. The data does not show any benchmark where the 6774P wins, so the choice hinges entirely on system-level requirements rather than measured compute performance.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Granite Rapids architecture, the same 5 nm process node from Intel, and the same 112 KB L1 cache per core with 2 MB L2 per core. The differentiating factors are scale and packaging. The Xeon 6960P belongs to the Granite Rapids-AP generation and uses three 598 mm² dies, while the Xeon 6774P is part of the Granite Rapids-SP generation with two 598 mm² dies. This die count directly explains the core difference: 72 cores on the 6960P versus 64 cores on the 6774P.

The memory subsystem also diverges. The 6960P uses a twelve-channel memory bus with 614.4 GB/s of bandwidth, while the 6774P drops to eight channels and 409.6 GB/s. Both support DDR5 and ECC memory, but the 6960P's wider memory path gives it a substantial bandwidth advantage. Shared L3 cache follows the same pattern: 432 MB on the 6960P versus 336 MB on the 6774P.

The sockets differ as well. The 6960P uses Intel Socket 7529, while the 6774P uses Intel Socket 4710. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable, and platform choice will dictate which CPU can be used. PCIe connectivity also favors the 6774P, which offers 136 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, compared to 96 lanes on the 6960P. Neither has integrated graphics, and both are locked (multiplier not unlocked). The 6960P launched on 2024-09-23, while the 6774P followed later on 2025-05-21.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 6960P dominates every recorded workload, but the margin varies significantly. Cinebench multicore scores show a consistent 15.9% advantage across R15, R20, and R23: 11194 versus 9660, 46645 versus 40251, and 111060 versus 95836 respectively. This uniformity suggests the core count advantage translates directly into rendering performance without architectural quirks.

PassMark integer math shows a 22.6% lead for the 6960P (727750 versus 593440), while floating point math is closer at 13.4% (527473 versus 465314). Data compression favors the 6960P by 21.1% (2797724 versus 2309868), and random string sorting shows a 41.7% gap (371795 versus 262417). The largest single delta is in physics, where the 6960P scores 24937 against the 6774P's 16023, a 55.6% advantage. This indicates the 6960P excels in workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth.

Data encryption shows a 40.9% lead (162013 versus 115025), while extended instructions are closer at 9.1% (193404 versus 177273). Prime number finding favors the 6960P by 17.4% (1484 versus 1264). The multithread PassMark score shows a 15.9% gap (130659 versus 112749), matching the Cinebench pattern. Even single-thread performance, where core count matters least, favors the 6960P by 7.9% (3287 versus 3047), so the 6960P does not sacrifice per-core speed for its additional cores.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster for multicore rendering?

A: The Intel Xeon 6960P wins all three Cinebench multicore tests by 15.9%. In Cinebench R23, it scores 111060 against the 6774P's 95836.

Q: How big is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The 6960P offers 614.4 GB/s over a twelve-channel bus, while the 6774P provides 409.6 GB/s over eight channels. This is a 50% bandwidth advantage for the 6960P.

Q: Does the 6774P have any advantages in connectivity?

A: Yes, the 6774P provides 136 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, compared to 96 lanes on the 6960P. This makes the 6774P better suited for systems with many expansion devices.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The 6960P has a TDP of 500 W, while the 6774P is rated at 350 W. The 6774P draws 150 W less, which may affect cooling and power delivery requirements.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The 6960P has 432 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 6774P has 336 MB. The 6960P provides 96 MB more.

Q: Are these CPUs socket-compatible?

A: No. The 6960P uses Intel Socket 7529, and the 6774P uses Intel Socket 4710. They require different motherboards.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon 6960P wins in every measured benchmark, but the magnitude of the win varies by workload type. The largest advantage appears in physics simulations (55.6% lead), data encryption (40.9%), and random string sorting (41.7%). These workloads benefit heavily from the 6960P's extra cores, larger L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth. For integer math (22.6% lead) and data compression (21.1%), the 6960P also shows strong gains. Even in single-threaded tasks, the 6960P leads by 7.9%, so there is no scenario where the 6774P offers better per-core performance.

The Xeon 6774P's case rests on system-level factors rather than benchmark scores. Its 350 W TDP makes it easier to cool and power in dense server chassis. The 136 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide more room for GPUs, NVMe drives, and network cards. The eight-channel memory bus, while narrower, may simplify motherboard design and reduce cost for platforms that do not need maximum bandwidth. The smaller die count (two versus three) could also influence manufacturing yields and platform availability, though the recorded data does not quantify those factors.

For a workload that scales with cores and memory bandwidth, the 6960P is the clear choice. For a system that needs maximum I/O expansion and lower power draw, the 6774P is the practical option. The database shows no benchmark where the 6774P pulls ahead, so any decision to choose it must be based on platform fit rather than compute performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon 6960P | Intel Xeon 6774P |

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

| Cores | 72 | 64 |

| Threads | 144 | 128 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 500 W | 350 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 7529 | Intel Socket 4710 |

| Generation | Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-AP) | Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) |

| Die Size | 3x 598 mm² | 2x 598 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 432 MB (shared) | 336 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 614.4 GB/s | 409.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 96 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 136 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Launch MSRP | $9625 | $6760 |

| Part Number | SRPKX | SRWPC |

The 6960P and 6774P share the same L1 cache (112 KB per core), L2 cache (2 MB per core), memory type (DDR5), ECC support, integrated graphics (N/A), market segment (Server/Workstation), production status (Active), and multiplier state (locked). Both use the 5 nm process node from Intel and share the Granite Rapids architecture and codename. The launch MSRP values are $9625 for the 6960P and $6760 for the 6774P, representing the only price information in the database.