Intel Xeon w7-3555

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 is a 28-core, 56-thread workstation processor built on the Sapphire Rapids architecture, targeting the server and workstation segment. Its benchmark profile places it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 106192. This analysis examines its performance data, power characteristics, and platform positioning against its nearest rivals.

Benchmark Performance

The Xeon w7-3555 delivers a compelling multi-threaded performance story. In Cinebench R23, it scores 57590 in the multi-core test, while its single-core score reaches 8130. The R20 results follow a similar pattern with a multi-core score of 24187 and a single-core score of 3414. In the older R15 test, it achieves 5804 multi-core and 819 single-core. These scores demonstrate a processor that scales exceptionally well with thread count, a hallmark of a 28-core design.

The average benchmark score of 106192 places it within striking distance of its closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX, which scores 106413. The delta here is a razor-thin -0.2%, indicating that the two processors are effectively tied in aggregate performance. Against the Intel Xeon 6521P, the w7-3555 is 0.3% ahead, showing a marginal lead. The gap widens when compared to the Intel Xeon w7-2595X, where the w7-3555 trails by 2.3%, and it extends its lead to 2.8% over the AMD EPYC 8324P.

PassMark results reinforce the multi-threaded dominance. The multithread score of 67754 is substantial, while the single-thread score of 3549 is respectable for a high-core-count workstation chip. The data compression score of 966970 is particularly strong, suggesting that the processor handles throughput-oriented workloads with ease. Integer math scores of 244642 and floating-point math of 190917 further corroborate the processor’s strength in compute-heavy tasks. The extended instructions score of 77619 indicates robust SIMD performance, which is critical for scientific and engineering applications.

The deltaPct values against rivals reveal a nuanced picture. While the w7-3555 is not the outright leader in its immediate peer group, it is remarkably close to the top. A -0.2% difference against the Ryzen 9 9850HX is within noise for most benchmark suites, meaning real-world application performance would be indistinguishable in many scenarios. The 2.3% deficit to the w7-2595X suggests that the latter holds a slight edge, but the w7-3555 compensates with a lower TDP class and different platform trade-offs. The 2.8% advantage over the EPYC 8324P is more meaningful, showing that the w7-3555 can outperform a notable server-class competitor in aggregate.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The ratio between single-thread and multi-thread scores tells a clear story about workload suitability. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 8130 against a multi-core score of 57590 yields a scaling factor of roughly 7.1x across 28 cores. This is not linear scaling—perfect scaling would be 28x—but it is typical for a processor with a 2.70 GHz base clock and 4.80 GHz boost clock. The boost clock is critical for single-threaded responsiveness, allowing the processor to reach 4.80 GHz on lightly-threaded tasks.

Single-thread performance of 3549 in PassMark places it in a solid position for workstation use. Many professional applications, such as CAD software or certain scripting workloads, rely heavily on single-thread performance. The 4.80 GHz boost clock ensures that these tasks do not feel sluggish, even though the processor is designed primarily for parallel throughput. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 819 and R20 score of 3414 follow the expected progression, indicating consistent single-thread capability across benchmark versions.

The multi-thread behavior is where the w7-3555 shines. With 56 threads available, the processor handles heavily parallelized workloads such as video rendering, scientific simulations, and batch data processing with ease. The PassMark multithread score of 67754 is nearly 19x the single-thread score of 3549, which underscores the processor’s ability to feed all cores effectively. The data encryption score of 48007 and random string sorting score of 96112 further illustrate that the processor maintains high throughput even on memory-intensive or cryptographic tasks.

For real workloads, this split means the w7-3555 is a dual-purpose device. It excels in scenarios where all cores are engaged, such as compiling large codebases or rendering 3D scenes, but it does not sacrifice everyday responsiveness. The high boost clock prevents the common workstation complaint of a fast multi-core chip feeling slow in single-threaded applications. The find prime numbers score of 398 and physics score of 5802 are lower in absolute terms, but these are niche workloads that do not reflect the processor’s overall capability.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon w7-3555 carries a TDP of 325 watts. This is a high-power processor that demands serious cooling. The TDP class places it firmly in the field of workstation and server platforms, where robust thermal solutions are standard. A 325W TDP requires a capable air cooler or a liquid cooling solution, depending on the chassis and airflow configuration. The data does not specify a particular cooler type, but the thermal load is substantial enough that system builders must prioritize cooling design.

The 4.80 GHz boost clock is achievable within this TDP envelope, but sustained all-core workloads will push the processor to its thermal limits. The 2.70 GHz base clock provides a lower-power baseline for idle or lightly-threaded tasks, allowing the processor to reduce heat output when full performance is not needed. The 10 nm process node from Intel helps mitigate some of the thermal challenges, but 325 watts is still a significant amount of heat to dissipate.

In a workstation context, the TDP implies a specific cooling tier. Entry-level air coolers are unlikely to suffice for sustained loads; a high-end tower cooler or a 280mm or larger liquid cooler would be more appropriate. The absence of integrated graphics (N/A) means that the processor does not add GPU-derived heat to the system, but the CPU itself remains a primary thermal source. The eight-channel DDR5 memory support and 112 PCIe Gen 5 lanes also generate additional heat from memory modules and expansion cards, so total system thermal management is a consideration.

The 325W TDP also informs power supply requirements. While the exact system wattage is not specified in the data, a processor at this TDP class typically requires a power supply with ample headroom for both the CPU and any attached GPUs. The platform’s server/workstation market segment suggests that power efficiency is secondary to raw performance, and the 325W figure reflects that trade-off.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX: The w7-3555 is effectively tied with this rival, trailing by a negligible 0.2% in average benchmark score. The Ryzen 9 9850HX is a mobile-class processor that achieves comparable aggregate performance, but the w7-3555 offers a different set of platform features, including eight-channel DDR5 memory and 112 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, which the Ryzen part likely does not match. In raw compute terms, the two are indistinguishable, but the platform capabilities diverge sharply.

Intel Xeon 6521P: The w7-3555 leads this rival by 0.3%. The Xeon 6521P is another server-class processor, and the near-parity in performance suggests that both parts are well-matched for similar workloads. The w7-3555, however, comes with a newer Sapphire Rapids architecture, which may offer advantages in specific instruction sets or memory bandwidth utilization that are not fully captured in the average benchmark score.

Intel Xeon w7-2595X: This is the closest competitor in the w7 series, and the w7-3555 trails by 2.3%. The w7-2595X holds a measurable performance lead, but the w7-3555 counters with a 325W TDP versus what is likely a different power envelope. For users prioritizing raw performance above all else, the w7-2595X is the stronger choice, but the w7-3555 remains competitive within the same family.

AMD EPYC 8324P: The w7-3555 leads this rival by 2.8%. The EPYC 8324P is a server-focused processor, and the w7-3555’s advantage in aggregate benchmarks suggests that the Intel part is better suited for workstation-class workloads that favor higher clock speeds. The EPYC 8324P may offer other advantages in memory capacity or core count, but the average benchmark score favors the w7-3555.

Who Should Consider It

The w7-3555 is a processor for professionals who need substantial multi-threaded throughput without sacrificing single-threaded responsiveness. For video editors and 3D animators, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 57590 indicates that rendering tasks will complete quickly, while the single-core score of 8130 ensures that timeline scrubbing and UI interactions remain fluid. The PassMark data compression score of 966970 is particularly relevant for data scientists and analysts who work with large datasets that require frequent compression and decompression.

Software developers compiling large codebases will benefit from the 56 threads and the high integer math score of 244642. The random string sorting score of 96112 also points to strong performance in text processing and data transformation tasks. For engineers running simulations or finite element analysis, the floating-point math score of 190917 and extended instructions score of 77619 indicate that complex mathematical operations are handled efficiently.

The processor is less ideal for office productivity workloads that are predominantly single-threaded and memory-light. While the single-thread score of 3549 is respectable, the 325W TDP and workstation platform costs are overkill for spreadsheet and word processing tasks. Gaming is also not a primary use case, given the absence of integrated graphics and the server/workstation market segment, but the high boost clock would not be a bottleneck for GPU-bound gaming scenarios.

Platform and Compatibility

The w7-3555 uses the Intel Socket 4677 platform, which is designed for the Sapphire Rapids generation of Xeon W processors. The socket supports DDR5 memory, with an eight-channel memory bus that provides a total memory bandwidth of 307.2 GB/s. This is a substantial bandwidth figure, essential for feeding 28 cores in memory-intensive workloads. ECC memory is supported, which is critical for data integrity in server and workstation environments where errors are unacceptable.

PCIe connectivity is extensive, with Gen 5 support and 112 lanes available from the CPU alone. This allows for multiple high-speed expansion cards, such as GPUs, NVMe storage, and network adapters, to be installed without bandwidth contention. The upgrade path within the Socket 4677 platform is limited to other Sapphire Rapids Xeon W processors, so users looking to move to a different architecture would need to change the motherboard as well.

The processor does not include integrated graphics (N/A), so a discrete GPU is mandatory for display output. The memory bus is eight-channel, meaning that populating all eight channels is necessary to achieve the stated 307.2 GB/s bandwidth; fewer channels would reduce available memory bandwidth. The production status is listed as Active, and the release date of 2024-08-23 indicates that this is a recent addition to the product stack. The launch MSRP is $2339.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon w7-3555?

A: The processor has 28 cores and 56 threads.

Q: What is the maximum boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 4.80 GHz, while the base clock is 2.70 GHz.

Q: How does it compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX in average benchmark score?

A: The w7-3555 trails the Ryzen 9 9850HX by 0.2%, making them effectively tied in aggregate performance.

Q: What type of memory does it support and how many channels?

A: It supports DDR5 memory with an eight-channel memory bus, providing 307.2 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Does the processor have integrated graphics?

A: No, integrated graphics are listed as N/A, so a discrete GPU is required.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 325 watts.

Architecture and Design

The w7-3555 is built on the Sapphire Rapids codename, representing Intel’s 10 nm process node. The processor uses a multi-die design, with a die size of 4x 477 mm². This multi-die approach allows Intel to scale core counts while maintaining manageable yields. The 10 nm process is a mature node for Intel, and the 4.80 GHz boost clock demonstrates that the process can handle high frequencies despite the complexity of a 28-core design.

The cache hierarchy is extensive. Each core has 80 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, while the shared L3 cache totals 75 MB. The per-core L2 cache is generous, reducing the need for frequent accesses to the shared L3. The 75 MB L3 cache is substantial, providing ample space for shared data across all 28 cores. This cache configuration is well-suited for workloads that exhibit data locality, such as database queries or iterative scientific computations.

The memory controller supports eight-channel DDR5, which is a critical architectural feature. The 307.2 GB/s memory bandwidth is achieved only when all eight channels are populated, and the architecture is designed to keep the memory subsystem fed under heavy multi-threaded loads. The PCIe Gen 5 controller with 112 lanes is another architectural highlight, enabling high-bandwidth communication with accelerators and storage devices. The processor does not include a vCache 3D implementation, relying instead on the standard L3 cache layout. The part number is SRN75, and the multiplier is locked, meaning overclocking is not supported.