Ryzen 9 9950X vs Xeon Gold 6421N

Aggregate performance score

Xeon Gold 6421N
2023
32 cores / 64 threads, 185 Watt
37.02
Ryzen 9 9950X
2024
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
41.78
+12.9%

Ryzen 9 9950X outperforms Xeon Gold 6421N by a moderate 13% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking9058
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation44.6365.16
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Power efficiency18.9423.26
Architecture codenameSapphire Rapids (2023−2024)Granite Ridge (2024)
Release date10 January 2023 (1 year ago)15 August 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$2,368$649

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 9950X has 46% better value for money than Xeon Gold 6421N.

Detailed specifications

Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X 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 cores32 (Dotriaconta-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads6432
Base clock speed1.8 GHz4.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz5.7 GHz
L1 cache80K (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache2 MB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache60 MB64 MB (shared)
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nm4 nm
Die sizeno data2x 70.6 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data95 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)85 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data16,630 million
64 bit support++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA4677AM5
Power consumption (TDP)185 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AMX, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512SMT, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX (+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Speed Shift+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Precision Boost 2no data+
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
SGXYes with Intel® SPSno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X 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 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR5-4400DDR5
Maximum memory size4 TBno data
Max memory channels8no data
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X.

PCIe version55.0
PCI Express lanes8024

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.

Xeon Gold 6421N 37.02
Ryzen 9 9950X 41.78
+12.9%

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.

Xeon Gold 6421N 58797
Ryzen 9 9950X 66361
+12.9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 37.02 41.78
Recency 10 January 2023 15 August 2024
Physical cores 32 16
Threads 64 32
Power consumption (TDP) 185 Watt 170 Watt

Xeon Gold 6421N has 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

Ryzen 9 9950X, on the other hand, has a 12.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 8.8% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 9 9950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon Gold 6421N in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon Gold 6421N is a server/workstation processor while Ryzen 9 9950X is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon Gold 6421N and Ryzen 9 9950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Xeon Gold 6421N
Xeon Gold 6421N
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Ryzen 9 9950X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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