CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2386G and AMD EPYC 7252 are nearly identical in average benchmark performance, but they achieve that parity through fundamentally different designs. The Xeon E-2386G wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, though by margins of only 0.4% to 0.6%. Both processors sit at the 59th percentile of all CPUs, with the Xeon E-2386G averaging 4799 points and the EPYC 7252 averaging 4772 points. The real differentiators are platform capabilities, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane counts, not raw rendering scores.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2386G wins every single benchmark in the comparison, but the victories are marginal. In multi-core workloads, the Intel part leads by 0.6% in Cinebench R15 (1672 vs 1662), R20 (6968 vs 6929), and R23 (16592 vs 16499). Single-core results show the same pattern: the Xeon E-2386G edges ahead by 0.4% in R15 (235 vs 234) and by 0.5% to 0.6% in R20 (983 vs 978) and R23 (2342 vs 2329). These are essentially statistical ties, so the "win" is nominal rather than practical.

The AMD EPYC 7252 does not win any benchmark, but its platform tells a different story. It offers eight-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, compared to dual-channel 51.2 GB/s on the Intel side. That is a 67% bandwidth advantage in the specification data. The EPYC 7252 also provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, versus 20 lanes on the Xeon E-2386G. For memory-bound or I/O-heavy server workloads, the EPYC 7252's advantage lies outside Cinebench scores. The Intel Xeon E-2386G counters with a 5.10 GHz boost clock versus 3.20 GHz, which explains its single-core edge, and it includes integrated UHD Graphics P750, which the EPYC lacks.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon E-2386G is built on Rocket Lake-E, a 14 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 276 mm². It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. It uses Intel Socket 1200 and carries a 95 W TDP. The integrated UHD Graphics P750 is present, and the processor supports ECC memory.

The AMD EPYC 7252 is a Zen 2 part codenamed Rome, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process. The die is split into two 74 mm² chiplets, totaling 7,600 million transistors. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3 per die for a total of 64 MB. Memory support is eight-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. It uses AMD Socket SP3 and has a 120 W TDP. There is no integrated graphics. The process node difference is stark: 14 nm versus 7 nm, which explains how AMD fits more cores and cache within a lower combined die area.

The cache hierarchy diverges significantly. The EPYC 7252 has over five times the total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB), while the Xeon E-2386G has a larger per-core L1 (80 KB vs 64 KB). The EPYC's eight-channel memory bus and 128 PCIe lanes target scale-out server deployments, while the Xeon's dual-channel bus and 20 lanes suit single-socket workstations.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is remarkably consistent: every Cinebench test shows the Intel Xeon E-2386G ahead, but never by more than 0.6%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1672 against the EPYC's 1662, a 0.6% delta. Single-core R15 is 235 vs 234, a 0.4% gap. Moving to R20, multi-core shows 6968 vs 6929 (0.6%), and single-core shows 983 vs 978 (0.5%). The R23 results mirror this: 16592 vs 16499 in multi-core (0.6%) and 2342 vs 2329 in single-core (0.6%).

These deltas are within run-to-run variance for most workloads. The average benchmark scores confirm the parity: the Xeon E-2386G averages 4799, while the EPYC 7252 averages 4772, a 0.6% difference. In the nearest rivals list, the Xeon E-2386G is 0.6% ahead of the EPYC 7252, while the EPYC 7252 is 0.6% behind the Xeon. Both processors are also close to the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X (4807, -0.2% from the Xeon) and the Intel Core i5-1350P (4776, 0.5% from the Xeon). The EPYC 7252 sits 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon W-1290E and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i9-9900KS.

The consistent 0.6% multi-core lead for the Xeon E-2386G is interesting given the EPYC's 2 extra cores and 4 extra threads. The Xeon's higher boost clock (5.10 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) likely compensates for the core deficit in these heavily threaded tests. However, the EPYC's 64 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory do not translate into Cinebench wins, suggesting the test is not sensitive to those factors.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Xeon E-2386G is the pick for single-socket workstations where clock speed and integrated graphics matter. It wins all six benchmarks, offers a 5.10 GHz boost clock, includes UHD Graphics P750, and runs at a lower 95 W TDP. Its 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and dual-channel memory are sufficient for typical workstation peripherals, and its 12 MB L3 cache is adequate for the 6-core design.

The AMD EPYC 7252 is the pick for server deployments that need massive I/O and memory capacity. The 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth are the decisive factors. The 8-core/16-thread configuration with 64 MB L3 cache provides more parallel resources, even if Cinebench does not show it. The 7 nm process and 7,600 million transistors indicate a more modern manufacturing approach. Its launch MSRP is $475, against the Intel's $450.

For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness and do not need extensive PCIe lanes, the Xeon E-2386G is the logical choice. For those building a dense virtualized host or a storage server that relies on memory bandwidth and PCIe expansion, the EPYC 7252 is the data-backed alternative. The benchmark parity means the decision should rest on platform features, not rendering scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2386G wins all three multi-core tests, but by only 0.6%: 1672 vs 1662 in R15, 6968 vs 6929 in R20, and 16592 vs 16499 in R23.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2386G leads in every single-core test: 235 vs 234 in R15 (0.4%), 983 vs 978 in R20 (0.5%), and 2342 vs 2329 in R23 (0.6%).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 has 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth across eight channels, while the Intel Xeon E-2386G has 51.2 GB/s across two channels.

Q: Does the EPYC 7252 have more cache?

A: Yes. The EPYC 7252 has 64 MB total L3 cache (32 MB per die), while the Xeon E-2386G has 12 MB shared L3. The Xeon has 80 KB L1 per core versus 64 KB on the EPYC.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, compared to 20 lanes on the Intel Xeon E-2386G.

Q: Are the average benchmark scores similar?

A: Yes. The Intel Xeon E-2386G averages 4799, and the AMD EPYC 7252 averages 4772, a 0.6% difference. Both rank at the 59th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Xeon E-2386G | AMD EPYC 7252 |

|-------|--------------------|---------------|

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 120 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake (Rocket Lake-E) | Zen 2 (Rome) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 2x 74 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 7,600 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 32 MB (per die), 64 MB total |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P750 | None |

| Release Date | 2021-09-07 | 2019-08-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $450 | $475 |

| Part Number | SRKN0 | 100-000000080 |