CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6746E vs Intel Xeon 6748P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6746E is a 112-core server processor built on the Sierra Forest architecture, designed exclusively with efficiency cores (E-cores) to deliver exceptional core density and throughput for cloud-native, containerized, and heavily multi-threaded workloads.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 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.
- AMX and DL Boost accelerate CPU‑based AI inference
- Well suited as an AI host node for GPU‑accelerated servers
- Not a replacement for dedicated AI accelerators for training
Content Creation
Gaming
- Lacks high single-core turbo frequencies.
- E-cores not optimized for low-latency gaming workloads.
- No integrated graphics.
- Designed for server and HPC workloads, not gaming
- High latency and core‑count‑optimized microarchitecture
- Modern desktop CPUs offer better gaming performance at far lower cost
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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.
Pros
- 48 cores and 96 threads for high multi‑threaded throughput
- 8‑channel DDR5‑6400 with MRDIMM support for bandwidth‑intensive workloads
- Up to 88 PCIe 5.0 lanes and CXL 2.0 for GPUs and accelerators
- Mature RAS and enterprise features from the Xeon Scalable lineage
- Good AI inference performance with AMX and DL Boost
Cons
- 300 W TDP requires robust cooling and increases platform power
- High platform cost (CPU, DDR5, server board) compared to lower‑core‑count options
- No integrated graphics; even basic VGA requires an add‑in card or BMC
- Locked multiplier with no official overclocking support
- Overkill for workloads that cannot saturate 48 cores and 8 memory channels
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Xeon 6748P
- AMD EPYC 9454Rival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9554Rival
Server
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6781PRival
Server
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6760PRival
Server
Same core count with higher cache and slightly lower TDP if you need more L3 per core.
Compare head-to-headLower core count and TDP for less demanding server workloads with similar platform features.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Xeon 6900P seriesAlt
Higher‑core‑count Granite Rapids‑AP platform for those needing 72–128 cores per socket.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA strong 48-core server CPU for multi-socket platforms that need high memory bandwidth and PCIe connectivity, but with a 300 W TDP and premium price that demand careful platform and cooling design.
Best for: Building or upgrading 2–8 socket servers for virtualization, databases, or HPC where high core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe connectivity are critical and platform cost can be justified.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 6746E or Intel Xeon 6748P?
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 6746E or Intel Xeon 6748P?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 6748P leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Xeon 6746E and Intel Xeon 6748P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 6746E has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 6746E (250 W), Intel Xeon 6748P (300 W).
Do Intel Xeon 6746E and Intel Xeon 6748P 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 6746E (112 cores), Intel Xeon 6748P (48 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon 6748P posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Xeon 6748P (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.