Intel Xeon 678X vs Intel Xeon w9-3595X Comparison
Intel Xeon 678X
Xeon w9-3595X
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon 678X vs Intel Xeon w9-3595X
The Verdict
The data presents a clear split between two capable workstation-class processors. The Intel Xeon w9-3595X wins 12 of the 16 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Xeon 678X takes 4. The w9-3595X leads in aggregate performance with an average benchmark score of 209881, which is 8.5% ahead of the 678X's 193477. However, the 678X is not a straightforward loser; it wins decisively in specific workloads. The w9-3595X is the pick for users whose workloads prioritize data compression, encryption, integer math, and random string sorting. The 678X is the pick for users running physics simulations or prime-number finding tasks, where its advantages are substantial. Both processors sit in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a weak choice. The w9-3595X offers the higher overall throughput, while the 678X counters with a lower TDP (300 versus 385) and a more modern process node (5 nm versus 10 nm). The choice hinges on the specific mix of workloads, not on general capability.
Architecture Differences
The two processors represent different design generations from Intel. The w9-3595X uses the Sapphire Rapids codename and is built on a 10 nm process node, while the 678X uses the Granite Rapids codename and a 5 nm process node. This node difference is significant; the 678X achieves its performance with a smaller physical footprint per compute block. The w9-3595X has a die size listed as 4x 477 mm², while the 678X has 2x 598 mm². The w9-3595X packs more cores: 60 versus 48, and more threads: 120 versus 96. The 678X counters with a higher base clock of 2.40 GHz versus 2.00 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. Cache configurations differ notably. The w9-3595X has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with a total L3 of 112.5 MB. The 678X has 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, but its L3 is 192 MB and shared. The 678X also has a higher memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s compared to 307.2 GB/s, though both support DDR5 and eight-channel memory. Both support ECC memory and have no integrated graphics. The w9-3595X uses Intel Socket 4677, while the 678X uses Intel Socket 4710. Both have unlocked multipliers. The PCIe configurations differ: the w9-3595X has Gen 5 with 112 lanes, while the 678X has Gen 5 with 128 lanes.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The w9-3595X dominates the Cinebench suite, but the margins are narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 8497 versus 8444, a 0.6% lead. The single-core R15 result is 1199 versus 1192, also 0.6% ahead. This pattern repeats in R20 and R23. The R20 multicore score is 35407 versus 35185, and the R20 single-core is 4998 versus 4967. The R23 multicore result is 84304 versus 83775. All these Cinebench deltas are 0.6%, indicating that the w9-3595X has a slight but consistent edge in rendering workloads. The story changes in PassMark tests. The w9-3595X wins data compression with a score of 1831962 versus 1690896, a substantial 8.3% margin. Data encryption shows a 10.3% lead, with scores of 92249 versus 83598. Integer math is another strong win for the w9-3595X: 473507 versus 405075, a 16.9% difference. Random string sorting also favors the w9-3595X, 190745 versus 164102, a 16.2% gap. Floating-point math is closer, with the w9-3595X ahead by 4.7% (379008 versus 362070). The extended instructions test is nearly a tie, with the w9-3595X ahead by 1% (142785 versus 141431). The multithread PassMark test shows a 1% lead for the w9-3595X, with scores of 99576 versus 98559.
The 678X wins are concentrated and large. The most dramatic is find prime numbers, where the 678X scores 1010 versus 580, a 42.6% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The physics test also goes to the 678X, with a score of 7809 versus 5842, a 25.2% lead. In single-threaded PassMark, the 678X edges ahead by 1% (3758 versus 3720). These wins indicate that the 678X's higher boost clock and newer architecture give it a significant advantage in specific computational patterns. The 678X also holds its own in the nearest-rival comparison. Its average score of 193477 is only 0.4% behind the AMD EPYC 9335 and 0.7% behind the Intel Xeon 6741P. The w9-3595X, by contrast, is 3.7% behind the AMD EPYC 9455P but 7.7% ahead of the Intel Xeon 6741P and 8.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9335.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Xeon w9-3595X has an average benchmark score of 209881, which is 8.5% higher than the Intel Xeon 678X's 193477.
Q: How large is the performance gap in prime number finding?
A: The Intel Xeon 678X leads by 42.6% in the find prime numbers test, scoring 1010 versus the w9-3595X's 580.
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Xeon w9-3595X has 60 cores and 120 threads, while the Intel Xeon 678X has 48 cores and 96 threads.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?
A: The Intel Xeon 678X has a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, which is higher than the w9-3595X's 307.2 GB/s. Both support DDR5 and eight-channel memory.
Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?
A: The Intel Xeon w9-3595X scores 84304, which is 0.6% ahead of the 678X's 83775.
Q: Which processor has a smaller process node?
A: The Intel Xeon 678X is built on a 5 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon w9-3595X uses a 10 nm node.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Xeon w9-3595X wins in 12 of the 16 benchmark comparisons, making it the default choice for raw throughput. Its wins include all three Cinebench multicore tests and all three Cinebench single-core tests, though the margins are just 0.6%. The larger wins come in PassMark integer math (16.9% ahead), random string sorting (16.2% ahead), and data encryption (10.3% ahead). Data compression is also a strong suit, with an 8.3% lead. These results point to workloads involving data manipulation, encryption, sorting, and integer-heavy calculations. The w9-3595X also wins floating-point math by 4.7% and extended instructions by 1%, plus the multithread test by 1%. This makes it the stronger all-rounder for diverse server and workstation tasks.
The Intel Xeon 678X wins in four areas, but two of those wins are commanding. The 42.6% lead in find prime numbers is the standout result, suggesting a decisive advantage in workloads that rely on prime-number generation or similar mathematical operations. The 25.2% lead in physics is also substantial, indicating better performance in physics simulations or related computational physics tasks. The 1% lead in single-thread PassMark is marginal but notable, given that the w9-3595X has more cores and a higher TDP. These wins suggest that the 678X is the better choice for single-thread-sensitive tasks and for workloads that stress specific mathematical patterns, such as prime search or physics engines. The 678X also offers a higher memory bandwidth (409.6 GB/s versus 307.2 GB/s) and more PCIe lanes (128 versus 112), which could benefit memory-bound or I/O-heavy applications not fully captured in the benchmark suite.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several key specifications. The w9-3595X has 60 cores and 120 threads, while the 678X has 48 cores and 96 threads. The base clock is 2.00 GHz for the w9-3595X and 2.40 GHz for the 678X. The boost clock is 4.80 GHz for the w9-3595X and 4.90 GHz for the 678X. The TDP is 385 watts for the w9-3595X and 300 watts for the 678X. The process node is 10 nm for the w9-3595X and 5 nm for the 678X. The die size is 4x 477 mm² for the w9-3595X and 2x 598 mm² for the 678X. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the w9-3595X and 112 KB per core for the 678X. Both have 2 MB of L2 per core. The L3 cache is 112.5 MB for the w9-3595X and 192 MB shared for the 678X. Memory bandwidth is 307.2 GB/s for the w9-3595X and 409.6 GB/s for the 678X. The socket is Intel Socket 4677 for the w9-3595X and Intel Socket 4710 for the 678X. The PCIe configuration is Gen 5 with 112 lanes for the w9-3595X and Gen 5 with 128 lanes for the 678X. The release date is 2024-08-23 for the w9-3595X and 2026-02-01 for the 678X. The launch MSRP is $5889 for the w9-3595X and $3749 for the 678X. Both have unlocked multipliers and ECC memory support.