CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 678X vs Intel Xeon w9-3575X
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 678X is a 48-core, 96-thread Granite Rapids-WS workstation processor built on Intel’s Intel 3 process, featuring eight-channel DDR5/MRDIMM support, 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes, and 192 MB of L3 cache for heavy multi-GPU and memory-bound professional workloads.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel AMX (FP16/BF16/INT8) significantly accelerates CPU-based AI inference compared to previous Xeon generations.
- Still slower than a dedicated GPU or accelerator for large-scale training.
- Well suited for local AI workflows, model prototyping, and batch inference where CPU flexibility matters.
- Intel AMX and AVX-512 provide strong CPU-based AI inference and HPC potential.
- No dedicated AI accelerator like a discrete GPU or NPU, so large-scale training still requires GPUs.
- Well-suited for inference, scientific computing, and some HPC workloads that can leverage AMX/BF16.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Strong single-core clocks up to 4.9 GHz support high FPS in CPU-heavy titles.
- Gaming is not the primary design goal; some titles barely scale beyond 16–24 cores.
- Modern high-end desktop CPUs often deliver similar or better gaming performance with much lower power consumption.
- Single-thread performance is good, but not class-leading compared to modern gaming CPUs.
- Very high power and platform cost for a gaming-focused build.
- Best used as a workstation CPU that also games, not the reverse.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 48 high-performance Redwood Cove P-cores with HT for demanding multi-threaded workloads.
- Eight-channel DDR5/MRDIMM support provides exceptional memory bandwidth and capacity.
- 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes enable complex GPU and storage configurations without lane bottlenecks.
- Intel 3 process and chiplet architecture deliver strong performance and scalability.
- Full X-series overclocking support via Intel’s OC Mailbox toolkit.
- AMX and AVX-512 accelerate AI and HPC workloads on the CPU.
Cons
- High 300 W base / 360 W turbo power draw requires robust cooling and PSU.
- Very high platform cost; CPU and W890 motherboards are expensive.
- Gaming performance is good but not class-leading; cheaper desktop CPUs are often faster in games.
- Overkill for light or lightly threaded workloads; core count goes unused.
- Single-socket-only design may limit future upgrade paths for some users.
Pros
- 44 cores and 88 threads for heavily parallel workloads
- 112 PCIe 5.0 lanes for multi-GPU and high-speed storage
- 8-channel DDR5-4800 with up to 4 TB capacity
- Intel AMX and AVX-512 for AI and HPC
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking on W790
- Strong workstation RAS features (ECC, vPro Enterprise, VT-rp)
Cons
- Very high power consumption (340 W base, up to 408 W turbo)
- Expensive CPU and platform (W790 motherboard, 8-channel DDR5)
- No integrated graphics; discrete GPU required
- Outperformed by AMD Threadripper PRO 7000 WX in many multi-threaded workloads
- Limited upgrade path beyond the Xeon W-3500 family on this platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 678X
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WXRival
Workstation
- AMD EPYC 9654Rival
Server / Workstation
- Intel Xeon w9-3495XRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon 698XRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon 696XRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon 676XAlt
Lower core count (32) with similar platform features at a lower price if you don’t need 48 cores.
- Intel Xeon 658XAlt
24-core Xeon 600 part with the same platform but lower cost and power if you don’t need 48 cores.
Intel Xeon w9-3575X
- Intel Xeon w9-3475XRival
Workstation
- Intel Xeon w9-3495XRival
Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon w9-3595XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WXRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WXRival
Workstation
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or similar high-end desktop CPUAlt
Much cheaper and more efficient for gaming and light content creation, but with fewer cores and fewer PCIe lanes; best when you don’t need workstation-class I/O.
Our Verdict on Each
A powerful single-socket workstation CPU with excellent multi-threaded throughput, massive memory and I/O bandwidth, and strong AI acceleration, though power-hungry and overkill for gaming or light tasks.
Best for: Professional workstation users who need 40+ cores, eight memory channels, and 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes in a single socket for simulation, rendering, or AI, and who can fully utilize the CPU and justify its cost and power draw.
Read the full reviewA potent workstation CPU with excellent multi-threaded performance and massive I/O, but high power consumption and cost limit its appeal to users who genuinely need 44 cores and 112 PCIe lanes.
Best for: High-end single-socket workstation for 3D rendering, engineering simulation, or AI inference where you need 44+ cores and 112 PCIe lanes but not the absolute top core count.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 678X or Intel Xeon w9-3575X?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Xeon 678X comes out ahead with a score of 8.9/10. 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 678X or Intel Xeon w9-3575X?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon 678X leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Xeon 678X and Intel Xeon w9-3575X.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon 678X has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 678X (300 W), Intel Xeon w9-3575X (340 W).
Do Intel Xeon 678X and Intel Xeon w9-3575X use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Xeon 678X: FCLGA4710, Intel Xeon w9-3575X: FCLGA4677), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 678X has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 678X (48 cores), Intel Xeon w9-3575X (44 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon 678X posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Xeon 678X (97,699), Intel Xeon w9-3575X (85,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.