Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Xeon 6736P

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Xeon 6736P FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Xeon 6736P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 205W, a 150W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG, while Xeon 6736P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (49,765 vs 50,072).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 144 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon 6736P, which brings 36 cores / 72 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Xeon 6736P

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+380% larger total L3 cache (144 MB vs 30 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 36 cores / 72 threads, plus 88 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅266.7% more PCIe lanes (88 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $3,351 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌272.7% higher power demand at 205W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 255HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6736P better than Core Ultra 7 255HX?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon 6736P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 7 255HX is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6736P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 36 cores and 72 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 380% larger total L3 cache (144 MB vs 30 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon 6736P is the better buy right now. Xeon 6736P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 255HX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon 6736P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 380% larger total L3 cache (144 MB vs 30 MB), more multi-core headroom with 36 cores / 72 threads instead of 20/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Xeon 6736P Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

The Core Ultra 7 255HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 49,765 points. Launch price was $450.

Xeon 6736P

The Xeon 6736P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Rapids (2024−2025) architecture. It features 36 cores and 72 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 144 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 50,072 points. Launch price was $3,351.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 255HX packs 20 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon 6736P offers 36 cores / 72 threads — the Xeon 6736P has 16 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon 6736P — a 23.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon 6736P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 49,765 against the Xeon 6736P's 50,072 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon 6736P. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 255HX vs 144 MB (total) on the Xeon 6736P.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6736P
Cores / Threads	20 / 20	36 / 72+80%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+27%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	144 MB (total)+380%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+50%	2 MB (per core)
Process	3 nm	Intel 3 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)	Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
PassMark	49,765	50,072
Geekbench 6 Single	2,923	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	16,885	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon 6736P uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Xeon 6736P supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 2033.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs 8 (Xeon 6736P). PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs 88 (Xeon 6736P) — the Xeon 6736P offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and Granite Rapids-SP (Xeon 6736P).

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255HX	Xeon 6736P
Socket	FCBGA2114	LGA4710
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	6400
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	4096 GB+2033%
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	88+267%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core Ultra 7 255HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon 6736P supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon 6736P). The Core Ultra 7 255HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG), while the Xeon 6736P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX; Xeon 6736P rivals EPYC 9684X.