CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6740E vs Intel Xeon 6746E
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6740E is a 96-core, 96-thread E-core-only server processor in Intel’s Xeon 6 (Sierra Forest-SP) family, focused on high core density and performance per watt for cloud, scale-out, and networking workloads rather than maximum per-core performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Good for CPU-based inference where batch size can be scaled across many cores
- No dedicated matrix or AI accelerator blocks
- Better suited to data preprocessing and lightweight inference than heavy training
- No dedicated AI acceleration matrix like in P-core Xeons.
- CPU-based inference can leverage many cores for batch processing.
- On-die QAT accelerator can assist with AI-related compression/encryption.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Low base and boost clocks (2.4–3.2 GHz) and E-core IPC
- Not intended for client or gaming workloads
- Modern desktop CPUs and P-core Xeons deliver far higher frame rates
- Lacks high single-core turbo frequencies.
- E-cores not optimized for low-latency gaming workloads.
- No integrated graphics.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 96 E‑cores and 96 threads for high VM/container density
- Intel 3 process and chiplet design improve density and efficiency
- 8‑channel DDR5‑6400 with up to 4 TB capacity and high bandwidth
- 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes for NICs, accelerators, and storage
- Integrated accelerators (QAT, DLB, DSA, IAA) offload common data path tasks
- Speed Select Technology profiles allow tuning for server vs networking use cases
Cons
- Modest base and boost clocks limit single‑thread performance
- E‑core IPC is lower than P‑core Granite Rapids or AMD Zen 4c
- No SMT; thread count equals core count, which can be a disadvantage for some licensed workloads
- 250W TDP requires robust cooling and power delivery in dense configurations
- New platform (LGA4710) means limited installed base and potential early‑adopter risks
Pros
- Unmatched core density (112 cores) in a single socket.
- Excellent energy efficiency for cloud throughput workloads.
- Integrated accelerators reduce need for discrete solutions.
- Massive I/O with 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
- Enables high consolidation ratios, saving rack space and power.
Cons
- Low base and turbo clock speeds limit single-thread performance.
- No Hyper-Threading, which may affect performance in some legacy applications.
- High cost per core compared to consumer or older Xeon platforms.
- Requires software optimized for many-core architectures.
- Limited to 2S scalability; not for extreme scale-up systems.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 6740E
- AMD EPYC 9734 (Bergamo)Rival
Cloud / Density‑Optimized
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6731ERival
Cloud / Density‑Optimized
- Intel Xeon 6780E (144‑core Sierra Forest)Rival
High‑Density Cloud
- Intel Xeon 6952P (Granite Rapids‑AP)Rival
High‑Performance P‑core Server
- AMD EPYC 9654 (Genoa, 96‑core P‑core)Rival
General‑Purpose Server
Better when you need more cores (144) and can tolerate higher TDP (330W) for throughput‑bound workloads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD EPYC 9734Alt
Higher boost clocks and more threads (112C/224T) with Bergamo’s Zen 4c cores; stronger if your workloads benefit from SMT and higher per‑thread performance.
- AMD EPYC 9654Alt
P‑core EPYC with 96 Zen 4 cores and 192 threads; better for mixed workloads that need both strong single‑thread and multi‑thread performance.
- Intel Xeon 6700P/6500P (P‑core)Alt
Better per‑core performance and larger caches if your applications are latency‑sensitive or licensed per core rather than per thread.
Intel Xeon 6746E
- AMD EPYC 9004 Series (e.g., EPYC 9654)Rival
Cloud/High-Density Server
- Intel Xeon 6700E Series (Other SKUs)Rival
Cloud/High-Density Server
- Ampere Altra MaxRival
Cloud/Arm-based Server
- Intel Xeon Scalable 5th Gen (Emerald Rapids)Rival
General Purpose Server
- AMD EPYC 8004 Series (Siena)Rival
Single-Socket Cloud Server
Higher core count (144 cores) for even greater density, if budget allows.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Xeon Platinum 8592+Alt
For workloads requiring strong single-thread performance and P-core features like AMX.
- AMD EPYC 9654Alt
Offers 96 cores with SMT (192 threads) and competitive performance per watt in cloud scenarios.
- Intel Xeon Gold 6430Alt
A balanced P-core Xeon for mixed workloads needing both single-thread speed and moderate core count.
- Intel Xeon w9-3495XAlt
A workstation-focused P-core Xeon with high clocks and unlocked multiplier for specialized tasks.
Our Verdict on Each
A strong choice for operators needing huge core counts and high memory bandwidth within a 250W TDP, but its E-core design and modest clocks make it less suited for legacy single-threaded or floating-point-heavy HPC codes.
Best for: Building or upgrading dense cloud or NFV infrastructure where you need many threads and high memory bandwidth per rack unit, and your software scales well across many E‑cores.
Read the full reviewA paradigm-shifting Xeon processor that trades single-thread speed for unparalleled core density and efficiency, perfectly tailored for the modern cloud data center.
Best for: Building new cloud data center racks for containerized, microservices, or VDI workloads where core density and power efficiency are paramount.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 6740E or Intel Xeon 6746E?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Xeon 6746E comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Xeon 6740E or Intel Xeon 6746E?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 6740E leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Xeon 6740E and Intel Xeon 6746E.
Do Intel Xeon 6740E and Intel Xeon 6746E use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the FCLGA4710 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 6746E has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 6740E (96 cores), Intel Xeon 6746E (112 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon 6740E posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Xeon 6740E (13,597). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.