Intel Xeon 6780E vs Intel Xeon 678X Comparison
Intel Xeon 6780E
Xeon 678X
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon 6780E vs Intel Xeon 678X
The Verdict
The Intel Xeon 6780E and Intel Xeon 678X are two very different server processors sharing the same Intel Socket 4710. The data shows a clear split: the 6780E is a massive 144-core, 144-thread Sierra Forest part built for throughput in heavily parallel workloads, while the 678X is a 48-core, 96-thread Granite Rapids chip with a much higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 3.00 GHz. Neither is universally faster; the benchmark results indicate each dominates in specific task categories. The 6780E wins 6 of the 16 head-to-head tests, while the 678X wins 10. Choose the 6780E if your workload involves data compression, encryption, integer math, floating-point math, physics simulation, or random string sorting. Choose the 678X if you need maximum single-thread performance, Cinebench rendering speed, or extended instruction throughput. The 678X also offers a higher multi-threaded score in Cinebench R23 despite having only one-third the cores, which directly reflects its architecture advantage in those specific tests.
Architecture Differences
The two chips come from entirely different Intel design families. The 6780E uses the Sierra Forest architecture, codenamed Sierra Forest, and belongs to the Xeon 6 (Sierra Forest-SP) generation. It is built on a 5 nm process with a die size of 578 mm². Its cache layout is module-based: 96 KB of L1 per core, 4 MB of L2 per module, and 108 MB of shared L3. The 678X uses the Granite Rapids architecture, codenamed Granite Rapids, in the Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS) generation. It also uses a 5 nm process but consists of two dies, each 598 mm², for a combined 2x 598 mm² footprint. Its cache is per-core: 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 192 MB of shared L3. The 6780E has 144 cores and 144 threads (no hyperthreading), whereas the 678X has 48 cores and 96 threads (hyperthreading enabled). Base clocks are close, 2.20 GHz for the 6780E and 2.40 GHz for the 678X, but the boost clocks differ sharply at 3.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. Both support DDR5 memory over an eight-channel bus with identical memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, and both support ECC memory. PCIe capabilities differ: the 6780E provides Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only), while the 678X provides Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The 678X has an unlocked multiplier; the 6780E does not. Neither has integrated graphics. The 6780E was released in June 2024, while the 678X is dated February 2026. The 6780E has a launch MSRP of $11350; the 678X has a launch MSRP of $3749.
Where Each One Wins
The 6780E is the clear winner in data compression (2,557,582 versus 1,690,896, a 51.3% lead), data encryption (193,004 versus 83,598, a 130.9% lead), integer math (641,817 versus 405,075, a 58.4% lead), floating-point math (433,862 versus 362,070, a 19.8% lead), physics (10,951 versus 7,809, a 40.2% lead), and random string sorting (326,954 versus 164,102, a 99.2% lead). Its 144 physical cores give it massive raw parallel throughput in these dense compute tasks. The 678X wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 both single-core and multi-core, plus PassMark extended instructions, find prime numbers, multithread, and single-thread tests. Its single-thread score of 3,758 is nearly double the 6780E's 1,923, a 48.8% gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 678X scores 83,775 versus 73,723, a 12% lead, despite the 6780E having three times the core count. This indicates that the 678X's higher clocks and per-core cache configuration matter more in those rendering workloads than raw core count. For workloads that stress encryption or compression, the 6780E is the obvious pick. For database-style single-thread responsiveness, compiled code, or workloads using extended instruction sets, the 678X wins. The 678X also delivers a higher PassMark multithread score (98,559 versus 86,734), so even in some threaded workloads it can outpace the larger chip.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU has more cores?
A: The Intel Xeon 6780E has 144 cores and 144 threads, while the Intel Xeon 678X has 48 cores and 96 threads.
Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded tasks?
A: The Intel Xeon 678X is far faster, scoring 3,758 in PassMark single-thread versus 1,923 for the 6780E, a 48.8% difference.
Q: Does the 6780E ever beat the 678X in multi-core tests?
A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 6780E loses 73,723 to 83,775. However, the 6780E wins in PassMark multithread? No, the 678X wins that too with 98,559 versus 86,734. The 6780E wins in integer math, floating-point math, physics, data compression, encryption, and random string sorting, but not in the Cinebench suite or PassMark multithread.
Q: What memory do both support?
A: Both support DDR5 with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and both support ECC memory.
Q: How do their cache sizes compare?
A: The 6780E has 96 KB L1 per core, 4 MB L2 per module, and 108 MB shared L3. The 678X has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 192 MB shared L3.
Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?
A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 4710, but they have different architectures: Sierra Forest for the 6780E and Granite Rapids for the 678X.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The biggest win for the 6780E is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 193,004 against 83,598, a 130.9% advantage. That is more than double the encrypted throughput, which matters for VPN gateways, TLS termination, or storage encryption. The next largest margin is random string sorting at 326,954 versus 164,102, a 99.2% lead, indicating a strong advantage in sorting heavy data pipelines. Integer math follows with 641,817 versus 405,075, a 58.4% lead, then data compression at 2,557,582 versus 1,690,896, a 51.3% lead. Physics simulation shows a 40.2% lead for the 6780E (10,951 versus 7,809), and floating-point math is 19.8% ahead (433,862 versus 362,070). The 678X's biggest win is PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3,758 versus 1,923, a 48.8% lead. That is the largest single-thread gap in the comparison and shows how much faster each individual core of the 678X is. Extended instructions go to the 678X by 19.4% (141,431 versus 114,008), and find prime numbers goes to the 678X by 29.9% (1,010 versus 708). In Cinebench tests, the 678X consistently wins by 12% across R15 multi-core (8,444 versus 7,431), R15 single-core (1,192 versus 1,049), R20 multi-core (35,185 versus 30,963), R20 single-core (4,967 versus 4,371), R23 multi-core (83,775 versus 73,723), and PassMark multithread (98,559 versus 86,734). The overall benchmark average tells a similar story: the 6780E has an average benchmark score of 280,438, while the 678X averages 193,477, but that average is heavily skewed by the 6780E's enormous win in data compression. The 6780E ranks in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, as does the 678X, so both are top-tier parts. The 6780E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X (delta 0.2%), AMD EPYC 9565 (delta -1.8%), Intel Xeon 696X (delta -2%), and AMD EPYC 9555P (delta -2.3%). The 678X's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 9335 (delta -0.4%), Intel Xeon 6741P (delta -0.7%), Intel Xeon 6740E (delta 3.1%), and AMD EPYC 8534P (delta 4.5%).
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. Core count: 144 for the 6780E versus 48 for the 678X. Threads: 144 versus 96. Base clock: 2.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz. Boost clock: 3.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP: 330 W for the 6780E versus 300 W for the 678X. Architecture: Sierra Forest versus Granite Rapids. Codename: Sierra Forest versus Granite Rapids. Generation: Xeon 6 (Sierra Forest-SP) versus Xeon 600 (Granite Rapids-WS). Process node: both 5 nm, but the 6780E uses a single 578 mm² die while the 678X uses 2x 598 mm². L1 cache: 96 KB per core versus 112 KB per core. L2 cache: 4 MB per module versus 2 MB per core. L3 cache: 108 MB shared versus 192 MB shared. PCIe: Gen 5 with 88 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The 678X has an unlocked multiplier; the 6780E does not. Release date: June 2024 for the 6780E, February 2026 for the 678X. Part numbers: SRPG3 for the 6780E, SA2CX for the 678X. Launch MSRP: $11350 for the 6780E, $3749 for the 678X. Memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, and integrated graphics are identical. Both are active production parts aimed at the server and workstation market.