Xeon 6740E vs Xeon Platinum 8461V

Intel

Xeon 6740E

96 Cores96 Thrd250 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2024
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Platinum 8461V

48 Cores96 Thrd300 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2023
Similar parts
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Xeon 6740E vs Xeon Platinum 8461V Performance Spectrum

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.

Xeon 6740E vs Xeon Platinum 8461V 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.

Xeon 6740E vs Xeon Platinum 8461V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon 6740E

2024

Why buy it

  • +1.6% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 250W instead of 300W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Platinum 8461V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.5 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($5,265 MSRP vs $4,491 MSRP).

Xeon Platinum 8461V

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $774 less on MSRP ($4,491 MSRP vs $5,265 MSRP).
  • Delivers 15.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.7 vs 14.5 PassMark/$ ($4,491 MSRP vs $5,265 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (74,982 vs 76,167).
  • 20% higher power demand at 300W vs 250W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon 6740E better than Xeon Platinum 8461V?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Platinum 8461V is ahead with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740E pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon 6740E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 96 cores and 96 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon 6740E is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Platinum 8461V is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon 6740E comes in 17.2% more expensive on MSRP at $5,265 MSRP versus $4,491 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8461V is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Platinum 8461V is also 15.4% better value on MSRP (16.7 vs 14.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon 6740E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 96 cores / 96 threads instead of 48/96. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon 6740E vs Xeon Platinum 8461V Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon 6740E

The Xeon 6740E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture. It features 96 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB (per module). Built on Intel 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4710. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 76,167 points. Launch price was $5,265.

Intel

Xeon Platinum 8461V

The Xeon Platinum 8461V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 97.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 300 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 74,982 points. Launch price was $4,491.

Processing Power

The Xeon 6740E packs 96 cores / 96 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V offers 48 cores / 96 threads — the Xeon 6740E has 48 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon 6740E versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8461V — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8461V (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon 6740E uses the Sierra Forest (2024) architecture (Intel 3 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8461V uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon 6740E scores 76,167 against the Xeon Platinum 8461V's 74,982 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon 6740E. L3 cache: 96 MB (total) on the Xeon 6740E vs 97.5 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8461V.

FeatureXeon 6740EXeon Platinum 8461V
Cores / Threads
96 / 96+100%
48 / 96
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.7 GHz+16%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+9%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
96 MB (total)
97.5 MB+2%
L2 Cache
4 MB (per module)+100%
2 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 3 nm-57%
Intel 7 nm
Architecture
Sierra Forest (2024)
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
76,167+2%
74,982
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon 6740E uses the LGA4710 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8461V uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6400 on the Xeon 6740E versus 4800 on the Xeon Platinum 8461V — the Xeon 6740E supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 4096 of RAM. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 80 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon 6740E) and C741 (Xeon Platinum 8461V).

FeatureXeon 6740EXeon Platinum 8461V
Socket
LGA4710
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
6400+33%
4800
Max RAM Capacity
4096
4096
RAM Channels
8
8
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
80
80
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, TDX (Xeon 6740E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8461V). Direct competitor: Xeon 6740E rivals EPYC 9005; Xeon Platinum 8461V rivals EPYC 9454.

FeatureXeon 6740EXeon Platinum 8461V
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, TDX
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon 6740E was priced at $5265, while the Xeon Platinum 8461V came in at $4491. On launch pricing ($5265 vs $4491), Xeon Platinum 8461V was $774 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon 6740E delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8461V — making the Xeon Platinum 8461V the 14.3% better value option.

FeatureXeon 6740EXeon Platinum 8461V
MSRP
$5265
$4491-15%
Performance per Dollar
14.5
16.7+15%
Release Date
2024
2023

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