CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 6774P vs Intel Xeon 6980P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 6774P is a 64-core, 128-thread server processor based on the Granite Rapids-SP P-core architecture, targeting single-socket AI, HPC, and data‑center platforms with 8-channel DDR5/MRDIMM support and 136 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel AMX provides dedicated INT8/BF16/FP16 matrix acceleration per core.
- Well‑suited to CPU‑based inference for LLMs, vision transformers, and recommendation models.
- Best when paired with GPUs for large‑scale training, but can handle moderate inference workloads alone.
- Intel benchmarks show up to ~2.2× ResNet‑50, ~1.9× BERT‑Large, and up to ~2.5× DLRM inference vs Xeon 8592+ with MRDIMM.
- Up to ~3.7× AI inference vs AMD EPYC 9654 in some Intel‑published comparisons.
- AMX and AVX‑512‑FP16 accelerate int8/bf16 inference; software stack (oneAPI, OpenVINO) is mature on Linux.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Not designed for gaming; low single‑thread optimization vs desktop CPUs.
- High latency mesh and server‑tuned memory timings hurt game responsiveness.
- Only consider if server is also used for light gaming on the side.
- Server‑oriented CPU with no integrated graphics and no gaming‑specific tuning.
- Single‑thread performance is adequate for light game server workloads but not a design target.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 64 P‑cores with AMX for strong AI and HPC performance.
- 136 PCIe 5.0 lanes in single‑socket R1S mode for GPU and NVMe expansion.
- 8‑channel DDR5/MRDIMM with up to 8800 MT/s speed and 4 TB capacity.
- Large 336 MB L3 cache and 128 MB L2 cache reduce memory bottlenecks.
- Rich set of integrated accelerators (QAT, DLB, DSA, IAA) and RAS features.
- Well‑suited to single‑NUMA‑domain designs, reducing software complexity.
Cons
- High 350 W TDP requires robust cooling and power delivery.
- Premium price point (Intel RCP ~$7,571) limits use to high‑end deployments.
- Locked multiplier and server‑oriented turbo behavior limit enthusiast tuning.
- No integrated graphics; not suitable for headless workstation or desktop use.
- Platform and motherboard ecosystem is still maturing compared to older Xeon generations.
Pros
- 128 P‑cores / 256 threads for massive parallel throughput
- 12‑channel DDR5‑6400 and MRDIMM‑8800 memory bandwidth
- 96 PCIe 5.0 lanes with CXL 2.0 per socket
- Strong AI/HPC performance with AMX and AVX‑512‑FP16
- Mature Linux and compiler support (GCC/LLVM ‑march=graniterapids)
- Integrated accelerators reduce need for discrete PCIe cards
Cons
- 500 W TDP demands high‑end cooling and power design
- Very high CPU and platform cost compared to EPYC alternatives
- 96 PCIe lanes trail AMD’s 128‑lane EPYC offerings
- No integrated graphics; not suitable for graphical workloads
- New LGA7529 platform with limited motherboard ecosystem initially
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 6774P
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
High‑core‑count Server / AI
- AMD EPYC 9554Rival
Balanced Server / AI
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6781PRival
Higher‑core‑count (80‑core) Xeon 6700P
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon 6761PRival
Same‑core‑count Xeon 6700P sibling
- Intel Xeon w9‑3495X (Sapphire Rapids‑WS)Rival
Workstation‑class Xeon with similar I/O emphasis
- Intel Xeon w7‑2475X (Sapphire Rapids‑WS)Alt
Better fit for workstation users needing moderate core counts with integrated graphics and more desktop‑oriented platforms.
- AMD EPYC 9475FAlt
Higher‑frequency 48‑core option with strong per‑core performance and good I/O, suitable where 64 cores are underutilized.
Slightly lower base clock but similar feature set and potentially better availability in some channels.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Xeon 6980P
- AMD EPYC 9755Rival
128‑core 2S Data Center / AI
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
96‑core 2S Data Center / HPC
- Intel Xeon Platinum 8592+Rival
64‑core 2S Data Center
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon w9‑3595XRival
High‑end workstation / single‑socket server
- AMD EPYC 9575FRival
High‑frequency 64‑core 2S for per‑core licensing
- Intel Xeon 6 E‑core (Sierra Forest) SKUsAlt
Better perf/watt and density for scale‑out cloud workloads that don’t require P‑core frequency.
Our Verdict on Each
A high‑core‑count, I/O‑rich server CPU ideal for single‑socket AI and HPC systems, though its 350 W TDP and premium price demand careful platform and cooling design.
Best for: Single‑socket AI factories, HPC servers, and in‑memory database appliances that can leverage 136 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 8‑channel DDR5/MRDIMM bandwidth.
Read the full reviewA flagship Xeon 6 P‑core SKU that restores Intel’s competitiveness at the top of the server stack, with huge core counts, strong AI and HPC performance, and mature software support, though at very high platform cost and power.
Best for: 2S HPC or AI clusters where per‑socket throughput, memory bandwidth, and PCIe connectivity are critical, and where software is optimized for AMX/AVX‑512.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 6774P or Intel Xeon 6980P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Xeon 6980P comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. 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 6774P or Intel Xeon 6980P?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 6774P leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Xeon 6774P and Intel Xeon 6980P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 6774P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 6774P (350 W), Intel Xeon 6980P (500 W).
Do Intel Xeon 6774P and Intel Xeon 6980P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Xeon 6774P: FCLGA4710 (LGA4710), Intel Xeon 6980P: FCLGA7529), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 6980P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 6774P (64 cores), Intel Xeon 6980P (128 cores).