Ryzen Threadripper 7970X vs Xeon Gold 6256
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X outperforms Xeon Gold 6256 by a whopping 111% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 146 | 14 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 21.88 |
| Market segment | Server | Desktop processor |
| Power efficiency | 13.58 | 16.80 |
| Architecture codename | no data | Storm Peak (2023) |
| Release date | 1 January 2020 (4 years ago) | 19 October 2023 (1 year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $2,499 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 12 (Dodeca-Core) | 32 (Dotriaconta-Core) |
| Threads | 24 | 64 |
| Base clock speed | 3.6 GHz | 4 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4.5 GHz | 5.3 GHz |
| L1 cache | no data | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | no data | 1 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 33 MB | 128 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 5 nm |
| Die size | no data | 4x 71 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | 64 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | no data | 26,280 million |
| 64 bit support | - | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | no data |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | no data | 1 |
| Socket | FCLGA3647 | sTR5 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 205 Watt | 350 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512 | no data |
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | no data |
| Speed Shift | + | no data |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | no data |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
| TSX | + | - |
| Turbo Boost Max 3.0 | - | no data |
| Precision Boost 2 | no data | + |
| Deep Learning Boost | + | - |
Security technologies
Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | no data |
| EDB | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | - | + |
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | no data |
| EPT | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4-2933 | DDR5 |
| Maximum memory size | 1 TB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 6 | no data |
| ECC memory support | + | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | N/A |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 48 | 48 |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 29.44 | 62.18 |
| Recency | 1 January 2020 | 19 October 2023 |
| Physical cores | 12 | 32 |
| Threads | 24 | 64 |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 205 Watt | 350 Watt |
Xeon Gold 6256 has 70.7% lower power consumption.
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X, on the other hand, has a 111.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads, and a 180% more advanced lithography process.
The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon Gold 6256 in performance tests.
Be aware that Xeon Gold 6256 is a server/workstation processor while Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon Gold 6256 and Ryzen Threadripper 7970X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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