Intel Xeon 6780E vs Intel Xeon 6960P Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Xeon 6960P compare to the Intel Xeon 6780E in overall benchmark performance?

A: The database records an average benchmark score of 365194 for the Xeon 6960P versus 280438 for the Xeon 6780E. The 6960P sits at the 100th percentile among all CPUs, while the 6780E ranks at the 99th percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon 6780E has 144 cores, which is double the 72 cores found in the Intel Xeon 6960P. Both processors support 144 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two chips?

A: The Xeon 6960P has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Xeon 6780E runs at a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench multicore tests?

A: The Intel Xeon 6960P wins all three Cinebench multicore tests by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore, the 6960P scores 11194, 46645, and 111060 respectively, each 50.6% ahead of the 6780E.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Xeon 6780E outperforms the Xeon 6960P?

A: Yes, in Passmark data encryption, the Xeon 6780E scores 193004 compared to 162013 for the Xeon 6960P, giving the 6780E a 16.1% advantage in that single test.

Q: What are the memory specifications for each processor?

A: The Xeon 6960P uses twelve-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 614.4 GB/s. The Xeon 6780E uses eight-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The decision between these two Intel Xeon processors depends entirely on workload priorities. The data shows the Intel Xeon 6960P as the dominant performer in nearly every measured category, winning 13 of the 14 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 365194 places it at the 100th percentile, and its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 9754, trails by just 0.2%. For workloads that stress raw compute, single-thread performance, or floating-point math, the 6960P is clearly the stronger choice.

The Intel Xeon 6780E, however, offers a different value proposition. Its 144 cores double the core count of the 6960P, yet its average benchmark score of 280438 is 23.2% lower. It wins only in data encryption, where it scores 193004 versus 162013. The 6780E also carries a lower TDP of 330 watts compared to 500 watts for the 6960P, making it the more power-conscious option for dense core deployments.

Buyers who need maximum per-core performance, higher memory bandwidth, and top-tier compute scores should select the Xeon 6960P. Buyers who prioritize core density for highly parallel, encryption-heavy workloads, and who can accept lower overall scores, should consider the Xeon 6780E. The 6780E also launched earlier, with a release date of June 2024, while the 6960P arrived in September 2024.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a lopsided contest, with the Intel Xeon 6960P claiming victory in 13 of 14 comparisons. The most dramatic margin appears in Passmark physics, where the 6960P scores 24937 against 10951 for the 6780E, a 127.7% advantage. This result suggests the 6960P handles physics simulation workloads with more than double the efficiency of the 6780E.

In prime number finding, the 6960P again demonstrates overwhelming superiority, scoring 1484 versus 708, a 109.6% lead. Single-thread performance follows a similar pattern: the 6960P records 3287 in Passmark single-thread tests, which is 70.9% higher than the 6780E's 1923. This large single-thread gap reflects the 6960P's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz against 3.00 GHz for the 6780E.

The Cinebench suite shows remarkably consistent results. Across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, the 6960P wins by exactly 50.6% each time, scoring 11194, 46645, and 111060 respectively, while the 6780E manages 7431, 30963, and 73723. Passmark multithread also shows a 50.6% delta, with the 6960P scoring 130659 against 86734.

Extended instruction workloads favor the 6960P heavily, with a score of 193404 versus 114008, a 69.6% difference. Floating-point math sees the 6960P ahead by 21.6%, scoring 527473 against 433862. Integer math shows a narrower 13.4% gap, with scores of 727750 and 641817 respectively. Random string sorting produces a 13.7% advantage for the 6960P, at 371795 versus 326954.

Data compression is the closest win for the 6960P, with a 9.4% margin, scoring 2797724 against 2557582 for the 6780E. The only benchmark where the 6780E emerges victorious is data encryption, where it scores 193004, a 16.1% improvement over the 6960P's 162013. This single win suggests the 6780E's architecture possesses a particular strength in cryptographic operations, despite its overall deficit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially across their core specifications. The Xeon 6960P offers 72 cores, while the Xeon 6780E doubles that to 144 cores, yet both support 144 threads. Clock speeds diverge significantly: the 6960P runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, while the 6780E operates at 2.20 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost.

Thermal design power separates the two clearly, with the 6960P rated at 500 watts and the 6780E at 330 watts. The sockets are not interchangeable: the 6960P uses Intel Socket 7529, while the 6780E uses Intel Socket 4710. Each processor has a distinct part number, SRPKX for the 6960P and SRPG3 for the 6780E, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The launch MSRP for the Xeon 6960P is $9625, and the launch MSRP for the Xeon 6780E is $11350. The 6960P launched on September 23, 2024, while the 6780E launched earlier on June 2, 2024. Both are currently active in production and target the server and workstation market segment. Neither includes integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two Xeon 6 processors is fundamental. The Xeon 6960P uses the Granite Rapids architecture, part of the Granite Rapids-AP generation, while the Xeon 6780E uses the Sierra Forest architecture, part of the Sierra Forest-SP generation. Both are built on Intel's 5 nm process, but they serve different design philosophies.

Cache hierarchies differ markedly. The 6960P provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and a substantial 432 MB of shared L3 cache. The 6780E offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 4 MB of L2 cache per module, and a much smaller 108 MB of shared L3 cache. This four-fold difference in L3 capacity likely contributes to the 6960P's superior performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The die configurations also diverge. The 6960P uses a multi-die design measuring 3x 598 mm², while the 6780E uses a single die of 578 mm². Memory channels differ as well, with the 6960P supporting twelve-channel memory and the 6780E supporting eight-channel memory, resulting in bandwidth figures of 614.4 GB/s and 409.6 GB/s respectively.

PCIe lane counts show a modest difference, with the 6960P offering Gen 5 with 96 lanes versus 88 lanes for the 6780E. Both support DDR5 memory and ECC. The core architecture itself reflects different objectives: the 6960P's Granite Rapids design with 72 larger cores delivers higher per-thread performance, while the 6780E's Sierra Forest design with 144 smaller cores prioritizes core density and power efficiency, evidenced by its lower 330-watt TDP. The 6960P's 500-watt TDP and larger cache allocation indicate a focus on maximum compute throughput, while the 6780E's higher core count and lower power draw suggest deployment scenarios where thread count matters more than individual core speed.