AMD Athlon Silver 10 vs Intel Xeon W-2195 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a stark split between the Intel Xeon W-2195 and the AMD Athlon Silver 10. The two CPUs do not share a single common benchmark test in the FACT PACK. The Xeon W-2195 is measured exclusively through the Cinebench suite, while the Athlon Silver 10 is evaluated solely through PassMark tests. This makes a direct numerical comparison impossible for any single workload. However, the average benchmark scores provide a point of reference: the Xeon W-2195 averages 6892, while the Athlon Silver 10 averages 6849. The delta between them is a mere 0.6% in favor of the Xeon, placing both firmly in the same performance tier according to the aggregate metric.

Looking at the Xeon W-2195's Cinebench results, its multi-core performance is dominant. In Cinebench R23, it scores 23828 points in the multi-core test, while its single-core score is 3363. This represents a ratio of over 7:1, showcasing the massive scaling advantage of its 18 cores and 36 threads. Similarly, in Cinebench R20, the multi-core score of 10007 dwarfs the single-core score of 1412. The R15 results follow the same pattern, with a multi-core score of 2401 against a single-core score of 338. For the Athlon Silver 10, the PassMark results tell a different story. Its highest score is in data compression at 42492, but its multithread score is only 3543. Its single-thread score is 2089, and its integer math score is 9354. The floating-point math score is 5936, while the extended instructions score is 2747. The physics score is a mere 210, and the find prime numbers score is just 13.

When interpreting these figures, the nearestRivals data provides context for the overall tier. The Xeon W-2195's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3470, with an average score of 6906 and a deltaPct of -0.2%. This means the Xeon is essentially tied with a much older mainstream quad-core. The Athlon Silver 10's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon X4 970, with an average score of 6850 and a deltaPct of 0.0%. This indicates the Athlon Silver 10 is also performing at the same level as a legacy quad-core part. The data suggests that neither CPU excels in absolute terms relative to modern processors; instead, they are both positioned in a similar, modest performance bracket as measured by their average scores.

The absence of shared benchmarks means the "biggest wins" must be inferred from the internal structure of each test suite. For the Xeon W-2195, the win is clearly in heavily threaded workloads, where its core count multiplies throughput. For the Athlon Silver 10, the win is in data compression, where it achieves a score of 42492, which is far higher than its other PassMark scores, indicating a specific strength in that algorithmic task. In single-threaded PassMark, the Athlon scores 2089, which is competitive with the Xeon's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3363, but again, these are different tests and cannot be directly compared. The data clearly shows two distinct performance profiles with no overlap in test methodology.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between the Intel Xeon W-2195 and the AMD Athlon Silver 10 is fundamental. The Xeon W-2195 is built on Intel's Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-W codename, and uses a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The Athlon Silver 10 is based on AMD's Zen 2 architecture, with the Mendocino codename, and is manufactured on a 6 nm process node by TSMC. This represents a generational leap in manufacturing technology for the AMD part, allowing for much higher transistor density and efficiency. The die size reflects this: the Xeon W-2195 has a large 484 mm² die, while the Athlon Silver 10 has a much smaller 100 mm² die.

Core and thread counts differ dramatically. The Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Athlon Silver 10 has only 2 cores and 2 threads. This is the single most significant architectural difference, explaining the Xeon's multi-core dominance. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Xeon W-2195 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache. The Athlon Silver 10 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but only 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a much smaller 2 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Xeon has substantially more cache available for complex workloads.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The Xeon W-2195 supports DDR4 memory in a Quad-channel configuration, offering a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. The Athlon Silver 10 supports LPDDR5 memory in a Dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s, but it does not support ECC memory. Interestingly, the Athlon's LPDDR5 memory bandwidth is slightly higher than the Xeon's DDR4 bandwidth, despite the narrower bus. The PCIe capabilities also differ: the Xeon W-2195 provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Athlon Silver 10 provides only 4 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon is clearly designed for expandability, while the Athlon is a minimal, integrated solution.

The Xeon W-2195 has no integrated graphics, while the Athlon Silver 10 includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, end-of-life, released in 2017, with a TDP of 140 watts. The Athlon Silver 10 is a mobile part, active, released in 2025, with a TDP of just 15 watts. The manufacturing foundry also differs: Intel for the Xeon, TSMC for the Athlon. These differences in node, cores, cache, memory, graphics, and power envelope paint a picture of two CPUs built for entirely different purposes.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD Athlon Silver 10 has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 has an average benchmark score of 6892, while the AMD Athlon Silver 10 has an average score of 6849. The Xeon is 0.6% ahead, according to the deltaPct values in the nearestRivals data.

Q: Does the AMD Athlon Silver 10 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Athlon Silver 10 includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon W-2195 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth for each CPU?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 has a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s using DDR4 in a Quad-channel configuration. The AMD Athlon Silver 10 has a memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s using LPDDR5 in a Dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Athlon Silver 10 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Xeon W-2195 has a TDP of 140 watts. The Athlon consumes significantly less power.

Q: What are the launch dates for these processors?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 was released in 2017, and the AMD Athlon Silver 10 was released in 2025. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Athlon is active.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Xeon W-2195 and the AMD Athlon Silver 10:

• Cores: 18 (Intel) vs 2 (AMD)
• Threads: 36 (Intel) vs 2 (AMD)
• Base Clock: 2.30 GHz (Intel) vs 2.40 GHz (AMD)
• Boost Clock: 4.30 GHz (Intel) vs 3.50 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 140 W (Intel) vs 15 W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel Socket 2066 (Intel) vs AMD Socket FT6 (AMD)
• Architecture: Skylake (Intel) vs Zen 2 (AMD)
• Codename: Skylake-W (Intel) vs Mendocino (AMD)
• Process Node: 14 nm (Intel) vs 6 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel (Intel) vs TSMC (AMD)
• Die Size: 484 mm² (Intel) vs 100 mm² (AMD)
• L2 Cache: 1 MB per core (Intel) vs 512 KB per core (AMD)
• L3 Cache: 24.75 MB shared (Intel) vs 2 MB shared (AMD)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (Intel) vs LPDDR5 (AMD)
• Memory Bus: Quad-channel (Intel) vs Dual-channel (AMD)
• Memory Bandwidth: 85.3 GB/s (Intel) vs 88.0 GB/s (AMD)
• ECC Memory: True (Intel) vs False (AMD)
• PCIe Lanes: 48 (Intel) vs 4 (AMD)
• Integrated Graphics: None (Intel) vs Radeon 610M (AMD)
• Market Segment: Server/Workstation (Intel) vs Mobile (AMD)
• Production Status: End-of-life (Intel) vs Active (AMD)
• Release Date: 2017 (Intel) vs 2025 (AMD)
• Part Number: SR3RX (Intel) vs 100-000000776 (AMD)

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2195 wins decisively in multi-threaded and server-oriented workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23828 confirms its 18-core, 36-thread configuration. This makes it the clear choice for tasks that scale with core count, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and heavy compilation workloads. The large 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache and Quad-channel DDR4 memory support further enhance its ability to handle data-intensive applications. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide ample room for expansion cards, multiple GPUs, or high-speed storage controllers, which is essential for a workstation or server environment. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in professional and scientific computing.

The AMD Athlon Silver 10 wins in power-sensitive, mobile, and integrated scenarios. Its 15-watt TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 140-watt TDP, making it suitable for fanless or ultra-portable designs. The inclusion of Radeon 610M integrated graphics means no separate graphics card is needed for basic display output, making it a complete system-on-a-chip solution. Its high data compression score of 42492 in PassMark suggests a specific strength in compression and archiving tasks. The LPDDR5 memory support, while dual-channel, offers comparable bandwidth (88.0 GB/s) to the Xeon's quad-channel DDR4 (85.3 GB/s), indicating efficient memory utilization. The active production status and recent 2025 release date mean it is a current-generation product.

The data also shows that the Athlon Silver 10's single-thread performance is not to be underestimated. Its PassMark single-thread score of 2089, while on a different test, indicates a level of per-core efficiency that is competitive. The Xeon's single-core Cinebench R23 score of 3363 is high, but the architectural efficiency of Zen 2 in the Athlon allows it to perform well in lightly threaded tasks relative to its core count. The wins are not about absolute performance parity, but about matching the right tool to the workload. The Xeon is a heavy-duty workhorse; the Athlon is a lightweight, efficient utility player.

The Verdict

Selecting between the Intel Xeon W-2195 and the AMD Athlon Silver 10 depends entirely on the use case, as the data shows no overlap in their design goals. The Xeon W-2195 is the superior choice for anyone running heavily threaded, professional applications. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23828 and R20 score of 10007 demonstrate a level of multi-threaded throughput that the Athlon cannot approach. The 18 cores, 36 threads, and 24.75 MB of L3 cache, combined with Quad-channel memory and 48 PCIe lanes, make it a platform for serious workstations. The support for ECC memory adds a layer of reliability for mission-critical data processing. The launch MSRP of $2553 reflects its original high-end positioning. This is a CPU for rendering farms, scientific simulations, and heavy data analysis.

The AMD Athlon Silver 10 is the appropriate pick for a completely different set of requirements. Its 2 cores and 2 threads, while modest, are paired with a 15-watt TDP, making it ideal for low-power mobile devices or embedded systems. The integrated Radeon 610M graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, reducing cost and space. The high data compression score of 42492 suggests it can handle file archiving and compression tasks efficiently. The LPDDR5 memory support provides modern memory speeds. The active production status and 2025 release date indicate it is a current, sustainable platform for its intended market.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (6892 vs 6849, a 0.6% difference), but this is misleading. The average is a composite of different tests that favor different strengths. The Xeon's average is driven by its multi-core might, while the Athlon's average is driven by its specific algorithmic efficiencies. The nearestRivals data confirms this: the Xeon is matched with the Intel Core i5-3470, while the Athlon is matched with the AMD Athlon X4 970. Neither is a modern performance champion. The verdict is clear: if the workload is multi-threaded and the budget is high, the Xeon W-2195 is the only choice. If the priority is low power, portability, and an all-in-one solution, the Athlon Silver 10 is the logical selection. There is no universal winner; there is only the correct tool for the job.