CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon 698X vs Intel Xeon w7-3565X
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Xeon 698X is an 86-core, 172-thread workstation processor based on the Granite Rapids-WS architecture, built on Intel 3 and designed for single-socket workstations that need massive core counts, eight-channel DDR5/MRDIMM memory, and 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- AMX supports BF16, INT8, and native FP16, important for PyTorch/TensorFlow inference.
- No integrated GPU or dedicated NPU; AI acceleration is CPU-only via AMX and AVX-512.
- Best suited for CPU-based inference, small-to-medium model training, and data preprocessing rather than large-scale GPU training.
- Intel AMX and BF16/AVX‑512 acceleration provide strong performance for AI frameworks that leverage these instructions.
- CPU‑based AI inference is competitive in its class, but GPU or dedicated accelerators still outclass it for large models.
- No official benchmark score published; real‑world performance depends heavily on software optimization.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Not targeted at gaming; no official gaming benchmarks.
- High core count does not benefit most games, and many games won’t use more than a fraction of the available threads.
- Single-threaded performance is competitive, but gaming-focused CPUs will provide better value and often higher effective FPS per dollar.
- Single‑thread performance is competitive due to 4.8 GHz boost, but gaming is not the primary use case.
- Most gaming workloads do not scale beyond 8–12 cores, leaving many cores underutilized.
- No integrated graphics; a discrete GPU is mandatory.
- Platform and cost make more sense for workstations than gaming rigs.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 86 cores and 172 threads for highly parallel workloads.
- 336 MB L3 cache improves performance on large data sets.
- Eight-channel DDR5/MRDIMM memory with up to 4 TB capacity.
- 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes for multi-GPU and storage-heavy configurations.
- Intel 3 process and Redwood Cove+ cores improve performance and efficiency over Sapphire Rapids.
- AMX with native FP16 acceleration for AI inference.
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking, supported by Intel and partners.
Cons
- Very high power consumption (350 W base, up to 420 W turbo) requiring robust cooling and power supply.
- Expensive, with street prices around $8,300–$8,500 for the CPU alone.
- New platform (W890 chipset, LGA4710) with early-adoer considerations and limited long-term platform history.
- No integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.
- Gaming and lightly threaded workloads see little benefit relative to cheaper, lower-core-count CPUs.
Pros
- 32 high‑performance cores and 64 threads for heavily parallel workloads.
- Eight‑channel DDR5‑4800 with ECC and up to 4 TB capacity.
- 112 PCIe 5.0 lanes for multi‑GPU and NVMe configurations.
- Intel AMX and AVX‑512 for AI and HPC acceleration.
- Unlocked multiplier for tuning on W790 motherboards.
- Strong multi‑threaded performance in professional applications.
Cons
- Very high power consumption (335 W base, up to 402 W turbo).
- Premium price compared to mainstream desktop and even some HEDT options.
- No integrated graphics – discrete GPU required.
- Limited upgrade path beyond W‑3500 on this platform.
- Overkill for typical office or light content creation workloads.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Xeon 698X
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WXRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WXRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970XRival
HEDT/Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon w9-3595XRival
Workstation (previous gen)
- Intel Xeon 696XRival
Workstation (same gen, lower core count)
Intel Xeon w7-3565X
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WXRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WXRival
Workstation
- AMD EPYC 9554Rival
Server/Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon w9‑3595XRival
Expert Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Xeon w5‑3535XRival
Expert Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980XAlt
64‑core Zen 4 HEDT CPU with higher multi‑core throughput if you don’t need workstation‑specific features like vPro.
- Intel Core i9‑14900K / i9‑14900KFAlt
Much cheaper, better for gaming and light productivity, but with far fewer cores and no eight‑channel DDR5 or 112 PCIe lanes.
Our Verdict on Each
An extremely powerful workstation CPU with best-in-class core count, memory capacity, and I/O for the Xeon 600 platform, best suited for professional workflows that can saturate its 86 cores and 128 PCIe lanes.
Best for: Professional workstations for rendering, simulation, AI development, or data processing that can leverage 86 cores, eight-channel memory, and 128 PCIe 5.0 lanes in a single socket.
Read the full reviewA powerful, highly expandable workstation CPU with strong multi‑threaded and AI capabilities, but high power consumption and a niche platform make it best suited for professionals who actually need its core count and I/O.
Best for: Building a high‑end single‑socket workstation for CPU rendering, HPC, or AI development where 32 cores, massive memory bandwidth, and 112 PCIe 5.0 lanes are genuinely useful.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Xeon 698X or Intel Xeon w7-3565X?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Xeon 698X 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 698X or Intel Xeon w7-3565X?
For gaming, the Intel Xeon w7-3565X leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Xeon 698X and Intel Xeon w7-3565X.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Xeon w7-3565X has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Xeon 698X (350 W), Intel Xeon w7-3565X (335 W).
Do Intel Xeon 698X and Intel Xeon w7-3565X use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Xeon 698X: FCLGA4710, Intel Xeon w7-3565X: FCLGA4677), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Xeon 698X has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Xeon 698X (86 cores), Intel Xeon w7-3565X (32 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Xeon w7-3565X posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Xeon 698X (0), Intel Xeon w7-3565X (71,140). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.