Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Xeon 6740P

AMD

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

16 Cores32 Thrd170 WWMax: 5.7 GHz2025

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon 6740P

48 Cores96 Thrd270 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +39.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $3,951 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $4,650 MSRP).
  • Delivers 414.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($699 MSRP vs $4,650 MSRP).
  • Draws 170W instead of 270W, a 100W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (2 Cores), while Xeon 6740P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (70,177 vs 90,684).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (128 MB vs 288 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon 6740P, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 88 PCIe lanes.

Xeon 6740P

2025

Why buy it

  • +29.2% higher PassMark.
  • +125% larger total L3 cache (288 MB vs 128 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 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 Ryzen 9 9950X3D across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.5 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($4,650 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
  • 58.8% higher power demand at 270W vs 170W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 9950X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 9950X3D better than Xeon 6740P?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon 6740P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740P is the better fit. You are getting 29.2% better PassMark, backed by 48 cores and 96 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (288 MB vs 128 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 9950X3D is $3,951 cheaper on MSRP at $699 MSRP versus $4,650 MSRP, and it gives you a 39.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Xeon 6740P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 29.2% better PassMark. It is also 414.8% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 19.5 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon 6740P is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
1080p
low300 FPS187 FPS
medium274 FPS165 FPS
high227 FPS131 FPS
ultra191 FPS106 FPS
1440p
low276 FPS155 FPS
medium228 FPS131 FPS
high177 FPS100 FPS
ultra156 FPS82 FPS
4K
low190 FPS70 FPS
medium156 FPS63 FPS
high120 FPS49 FPS
ultra106 FPS40 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
1080p
low722 FPS285 FPS
medium615 FPS252 FPS
high457 FPS208 FPS
ultra385 FPS171 FPS
1440p
low591 FPS233 FPS
medium524 FPS210 FPS
high405 FPS178 FPS
ultra319 FPS142 FPS
4K
low332 FPS144 FPS
medium299 FPS133 FPS
high262 FPS120 FPS
ultra224 FPS100 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
1080p
low893 FPS849 FPS
medium725 FPS768 FPS
high652 FPS730 FPS
ultra560 FPS641 FPS
1440p
low720 FPS737 FPS
medium585 FPS662 FPS
high514 FPS626 FPS
ultra437 FPS558 FPS
4K
low516 FPS493 FPS
medium431 FPS402 FPS
high387 FPS364 FPS
ultra322 FPS303 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
1080p
low1116 FPS1097 FPS
medium1001 FPS978 FPS
high878 FPS834 FPS
ultra792 FPS702 FPS
1440p
low872 FPS902 FPS
medium766 FPS777 FPS
high673 FPS660 FPS
ultra584 FPS551 FPS
4K
low637 FPS656 FPS
medium566 FPS577 FPS
high503 FPS505 FPS
ultra435 FPS425 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Xeon 6740P

AMD

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 70,177 points. Launch price was $699.

Intel

Xeon 6740P

The Xeon 6740P 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 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 288 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR5(6400MT/s). Passmark benchmark score: 90,684 points. Launch price was $4,650.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon 6740P offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the Xeon 6740P has 32 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon 6740P — a 40% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (base: 4.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Xeon 6740P uses Granite Rapids (2024−2025) (Intel 3 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 70,177 against the Xeon 6740P's 90,684 — a 25.5% lead for the Xeon 6740P. L3 cache: 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs 288 MB (total) on the Xeon 6740P.

FeatureRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
48 / 96+200%
Boost Clock
5.7 GHz+50%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
4.3 GHz+105%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB (total)
288 MB (total)+125%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
2 MB (per core)+100%
Process
4 nm
Intel 3 nm-25%
Architecture
Granite Ridge (2024−2025)
Granite Rapids (2024−2025)
PassMark
70,177
90,684+29%
Cinebench R23 Multi
44,500
Geekbench 6 Single
3,398
Geekbench 6 Multi
22,206
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon 6740P uses LGA4710 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 4 TB 191.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 9 9950X3D) vs 8 (Xeon 6740P). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 9 9950X3D) vs 88 (Xeon 6740P) — the Xeon 6740P offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
Socket
AM5
LGA4710
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
DDR5-6400
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
4 TB+2033%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
88+267%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Ryzen 9 9950X3D) vs VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT (Xeon 6740P). The Ryzen 9 9950X3D includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (2 Cores)), while the Xeon 6740P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon 6740P targets High-density Compute. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 9950X3D rivals Core Ultra 9 285K; Xeon 6740P rivals EPYC 9355P.

FeatureRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon Graphics (2 Cores)
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d, VT-x EPT
Target Use
High-density Compute
💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D launched at $699 MSRP, while the Xeon 6740P debuted at $4650. On MSRP ($699 vs $4650), the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is $3951 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers 100.4 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Xeon 6740P — making the Ryzen 9 9950X3D the 134.9% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 9 9950X3DXeon 6740P
MSRP
$699-85%
$4650
Performance per Dollar
100.4+415%
19.5
Release Date
2025
2025