CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon 6774P dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 12 of 14 benchmark categories. The most striking margin comes in PassMark physics, where the 6774P scores 16,023 against the 696X’s 3,382, a 373.8% advantage. This is not a marginal lead; it is a generational gap in a test that stresses single-threaded instruction throughput and cache behavior. The 6774P also crushes the 696X in prime number finding, scoring 1,264 versus 853 (48.2% higher), and in random string sorting, where it posts 262,417 versus 180,392 (45.5% higher). These are compute-heavy workloads where the 6774P’s architecture clearly extracts more work per clock.

Across the Cinebench suite, the 6774P is consistently 7.4% ahead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 9,660 versus 8,994; in R20, 40,251 versus 37,475; and in R23, 95,836 versus 89,227. The uniformity of this delta across all three Cinebench versions suggests a stable clock-for-clock advantage in sustained multi-threaded rendering. The PassMark multithread test reinforces the pattern: 112,749 for the 6774P against 104,974 for the 696X, again a 7.4% gap.

The 6774P also wins the remaining PassMark integer and floating-point workloads, though by narrower margins. Integer math sees 593,440 versus 572,072 (3.7% higher), floating-point math 465,314 versus 450,164 (3.4% higher), extended instructions 177,273 versus 172,975 (2.5% higher), data compression 2,309,868 versus 2,264,907 (2.0% higher), and data encryption 115,025 versus 112,529 (2.2% higher). These are modest but consistent wins across the board.

The 696X claims exactly two victories, both in single-threaded PassMark benchmarks, with a score of 3,742 versus 3,047, an 18.6% lead in both the single_thread and singlethread entries. This is a decisive single-core advantage, likely driven by the 696X’s higher boost clock. The data shows that while the 6774P wins the aggregate multi-threaded battle, the 696X is the clear choice for latency-sensitive, lightly threaded workloads.

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon 6774P is the superior processor for almost every workload in this comparison. Its 12 benchmark wins include every multi-threaded test, every Cinebench variant, and every PassMark compute test except single-threaded performance. The average benchmark score tells the same story: the 6774P averages 300,372 versus 286,102 for the 696X, a 5% advantage. In the nearest-rival context, the 6774P sits 5% ahead of the 696X, while the 696X is statistically tied with the AMD EPYC 9565 (0.2% delta) and 0.3% behind the AMD EPYC 9555P.

For server and workstation buyers running multi-threaded workloads, rendering, data compression, encryption, scientific computing, the 6774P is the clear pick. Its 48.2% lead in prime number finding and 45.5% lead in random string sorting demonstrate exceptional throughput in algorithmic workloads. The physics test, with its 373.8% margin, suggests the 6774P handles certain instruction patterns far more efficiently.

The 696X should be chosen only when single-threaded performance is the primary concern. Its 18.6% single-thread lead is substantial, and its 4.80 GHz boost clock is the highest in this comparison. However, the data shows that in multi-threaded environments, the 696X falls behind by 7.4% in Cinebench and 7.4% in PassMark multithread. The 696X also has an unlocked multiplier, which may appeal to overclocking enthusiasts, a feature the 6774P lacks, but the benchmark data does not reflect any overclocked results.

Given that both processors occupy the 99th percentile among all CPUs, either will be exceptional. But the 6774P wins 12 of 14 tests and delivers a higher average score. The verdict is straightforward: the 6774P is the better all-round processor, while the 696X is the specialist for single-threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Granite Rapids, built on Intel’s 5 nm process with a dual-die design measuring 2x 598 mm². Both have 64 cores, 128 threads, 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 336 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither has integrated graphics, both support ECC DDR5 memory across an eight-channel bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both use Intel Socket 4710.

The key architectural differences are in clock speeds and platform positioning. The 6774P has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the 696X has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz but a significantly higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz. This explains the 696X’s single-thread dominance: it can ramp to 4.80 GHz on lightly loaded cores, while the 6774P tops out at 3.90 GHz. Conversely, the 6774P’s higher base clock likely contributes to its consistent multi-threaded advantage, as all cores sustain closer to their base frequency under full load.

The PCIe configurations differ. The 6774P offers Gen 5 with 136 lanes (CPU only), while the 696X offers Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). This gives the 6774P 8 additional PCIe lanes for I/O expansion, which can matter in dense server configurations with multiple GPUs or NVMe drives.

The generation labels differ: the 6774P is from the Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) generation, while the 696X is from the Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) generation. The release dates confirm this split, the 6774P launched on 2025-05-21, while the 696X launched on 2026-02-01. The 6774P has a part number of SRWPC, while the 696X is SRWQ7. The 696X has an unlocked multiplier, while the 6774P does not.

The launch MSRP of the 6774P is $6760, and the launch MSRP of the 696X is $5599.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 696X. It scores 3,742 in PassMark single-thread, an 18.6% advantage over the 6774P’s 3,047. The 696X’s 4.80 GHz boost clock versus 3.90 GHz for the 6774P explains this.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon 6774P. It wins all multi-threaded benchmarks, including Cinebench R23 (95,836 versus 89,227), PassMark multithread (112,749 versus 104,974), and PassMark integer math (593,440 versus 572,072).

Q: How do these processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The 6774P averages 300,372, which is 5% higher than the 696X’s 286,102. The 6774P is 5% ahead of the 696X in the nearest-rival comparison.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the 6774P and 696X support ECC DDR5 memory, with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the difference in PCIe lanes?

A: The 6774P offers 136 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the 696X offers 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This gives the 6774P 8 additional lanes.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Only the 696X has an unlocked multiplier. The 6774P has a locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The 6774P wins in every multi-threaded and compute-heavy scenario. Its 373.8% physics test lead indicates exceptional performance in physics simulations and rigid-body dynamics. The 48.2% lead in prime number finding points to strength in integer-heavy algorithmic workloads, while the 45.5% lead in random string sorting suggests superior performance in data processing and sorting tasks. The 7.4% Cinebench advantage across all versions makes it the preferred choice for 3D rendering and content creation. Data compression (2.0% lead), encryption (2.2% lead), and extended instructions (2.5% lead) all favor the 6774P. For server workloads involving database compression, encryption, or scientific computing, the 6774P is the data-backed winner.

The 696X wins in single-threaded performance. Its 18.6% single-thread lead makes it the better choice for workloads that are inherently serial: legacy applications, single-threaded scripting, or lightly threaded database queries. The 4.80 GHz boost clock is the highest in this comparison, and the unlocked multiplier offers additional headroom for overclocking. For interactive or latency-sensitive applications where a single core must respond quickly, the 696X is the pick. However, the data shows that in any sustained multi-threaded workload, the 696X falls behind by at least 2.0% (data compression) and as much as 7.4% (Cinebench).

The 6774P also wins on PCIe expansion, with 136 lanes versus 128 for the 696X. For servers with multiple high-bandwidth devices, this is a tangible advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon 6774P | Intel Xeon 696X |

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

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 136 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Generation | Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-SP) | Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) |

| Release Date | 2025-05-21 | 2026-02-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $6760 | $5599 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRWPC | SRWQ7 |

All other specifications are identical: 64 cores, 128 threads, 350W TDP, Intel Socket 4710, Granite Rapids architecture, 5 nm process, 2x 598 mm² die size, 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, 336 MB shared L3, DDR5 memory, eight-channel bus, 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, ECC support, no integrated graphics, and active production status.