CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6728P vs Intel Xeon 6731P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6728P is a 24-core, 48-thread server and workstation processor based on the Granite Rapids-SP platform, offering 144 MB of L3 cache, 8-channel DDR5-6400 memory, and 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes in a 210 W TDP envelope.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel AMX accelerates INT8 and BF16 matrix operations for deep learning inference.
- Good fit for CPU-based LLM inference and small-to-medium model serving.
- AI performance per core significantly better than pre-AMX Xeon generations.
- AMX and AVX-512 provide strong CPU-based AI inference and small-batch training
- Not a replacement for dedicated GPUs or accelerators for large models
- Well-suited for edge inference, analytics, and MLPerf inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- No integrated graphics; discrete GPU required.
- High platform cost makes it unattractive for gaming versus consumer CPUs.
- Adequate for casual gaming but not a target use case.
- Server-focused SKU without official gaming benchmarks
- Single-threaded performance is strong, but gaming is not a target workload
- Use desktop or consumer HEDT CPUs for gaming-focused builds
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 24 high-performance Redwood Cove P-cores with strong IPC.
- 144 MB L3 cache benefits latency-sensitive workloads.
- 8-channel DDR5-6400 with up to 4 TB per socket.
- 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes for GPUs, NVMe, and networking.
- AMX and on-die accelerators (QAT, DLB, DSA, IAA) for AI and data processing.
- Supports 2S/4S/8S configurations for scalable enterprise deployments.
Cons
- High platform cost and 210 W TDP require robust cooling and power delivery.
- Locked multiplier; no overclocking headroom.
- No integrated graphics; must pair with discrete GPU or BMC.
- Memory and motherboard ecosystem are more expensive than consumer platforms.
- Less core-count density than higher-end Granite Rapids or EPYC 9004 SKUs.
Pros
- 32 P-cores with strong per-core performance and AVX-512/AMX
- 136 PCIe 5.0 lanes for dense NVMe/GPU configurations
- 8-channel DDR5-6400 with up to 4 TB capacity
- Integrated QAT/DLB/DSA/IAA accelerators for storage, networking, and analytics
- 1S platform reduces board and licensing complexity
Cons
- 245 W TDP requires robust cooling and power delivery
- 1S-only; no multi-socket upgrade path
- Not on the densest process node; some EPYC competitors are more power-efficient per core
- No integrated graphics (typical for server CPUs)
- Platform cost is high compared to mainstream desktop parts
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 6728P
- AMD EPYC 9224 (24C/48T, Zen 4, SP5)Rival
Server / Workstation
- Intel Xeon 6521P (24C/48T, Granite Rapids-SP)Rival
Server / Workstation
- Intel Xeon 6731P (32C/64T, Granite Rapids-SP)Rival
Server / Workstation
- AMD EPYC 9124 (16C/32T, Zen 4, SP5)Rival
Server / Workstation
- Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 (40C/80T, Ice Lake-SP)Rival
Server / Workstation
Same 24C/48T Granite Rapids-SP family but lower TDP and price if you don’t need the full 210 W performance profile.
Compare head-to-head- AMD EPYC 9224Alt
24-core Zen 4 server CPU with 12-channel DDR5 and competitive performance; better if you prioritize core count or prefer AMD’s platform.
Higher 32C/64T count within the same Granite Rapids-SP platform if you need more threads and can afford the higher TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD EPYC 9124Alt
Lower-cost 16-core Zen 4 server CPU if your workload doesn’t require 24 cores and you want to reduce platform cost.
- Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 (used)Alt
Older 24-core Cascade Lake-SP part available on the used market at lower cost if you don’t need DDR5, PCIe 5.0, or AMX.
Intel Xeon 6731P
- AMD EPYC 9355 (32-core, 2S)Rival
2S Server / HPC
- AMD EPYC 9455 (48-core, 2S)Rival
2S Server / AI
- Intel Xeon 6741P (48-core, 1S)Rival
1S Server / Workstation
- Intel Xeon 6737P (32-core, higher clocks)Rival
1S Server / Workstation
- Intel Xeon 6787P (86-core, 1S/8S)Rival
High-core-count 1S/8S
48 cores and 288 MB L3 for workloads that can use more threads, same platform and feature set.
Compare head-to-head- AMD EPYC 9355Alt
32-core EPYC with strong FP performance and 12-channel DDR5; good for 2S configurations.
- AMD EPYC 9455Alt
96 cores (2S) with high SPEC CPU2017 scores; better for heavily parallel workloads.
Similar core count with slightly higher clocks for workloads sensitive to frequency.
Compare head-to-headWhen you need many more cores and can accept higher power and cost.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A balanced Granite Rapids-SP SKU with strong per-core performance, large cache, and serious AI acceleration, best suited for memory-intensive and AI-augmented server workloads rather than cost-sensitive or purely throughput-oriented deployments.
Best for: Building or upgrading a 2S/4S server or workstation for AI inference, in-memory databases, or virtualization where 8-channel DDR5 and AMX are valuable.
Read the full reviewA well-balanced 32-core Granite Rapids-SP CPU that shines in 1S servers and workstations needing strong per-core performance, massive I/O, and built-in acceleration, though power efficiency lags newer process nodes.
Best for: Single-socket servers, storage appliances, and workstations needing high PCIe lane count and DDR5 bandwidth with moderate core count.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Xeon 6728P or Intel Xeon 6731P?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 6728P leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Xeon 6728P and Intel Xeon 6731P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 6728P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 6728P (210 W), Intel Xeon 6731P (245 W).
Do Intel Xeon 6728P and Intel Xeon 6731P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Xeon 6728P: FCLGA4710, Intel Xeon 6731P: FCLGA4710 (LGA4710)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 6731P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 6728P (24 cores), Intel Xeon 6731P (32 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon 6728P posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Xeon 6728P (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.