AMD EPYC 7262 vs Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 and AMD EPYC 7262 are both server-class processors, but they come from different design philosophies and release periods. The Intel part is a 22-core Broadwell-EP chip released on 2016-10-24, while the AMD part is an 8-core Zen 2 Rome chip released on 2019-08-06. In the six recorded Cinebench head-to-head tests, the Intel Xeon wins every single one, though by margins of less than 1%. The AMD EPYC, however, offers a much higher memory bandwidth, more PCIe lanes, and a larger total L3 cache, which are not captured by CPU-centric benchmarks. This analysis breaks down the benchmark data, architecture differences, and what each processor is best suited for.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark set includes six Cinebench tests: R15, R20, and R23, each in single-core and multi-core variants. The Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 wins all six. The largest margin is 0.9% in R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, and R23 multi-core and single-core. The smallest is 0.8% in R15 single-core. So in raw CPU compute, Intel is consistently ahead, but the differences are small, often within run-to-run variance. The AMD EPYC 7262 does not win any of the recorded head-to-head tests.

However, the AMD part has platform-level advantages that do not appear in Cinebench scores. It supports eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, compared to Intel's quad-channel 76.8 GB/s. It also provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, versus Intel's 40 Gen 3 lanes. And its total L3 cache is 128 MB, more than double Intel's 55 MB. These features matter for memory-intensive or I/O-heavy server workloads, even though they do not show up in CPU benchmark scores. The AMD part also has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz vs 2.40 GHz), though its boost clock is lower (3.40 GHz vs 3.60 GHz). For workloads that depend on memory bandwidth, PCIe connectivity, or large cache capacity, the AMD EPYC 7262 holds the advantage, even if it trails in the recorded CPU tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. Intel uses its own 14 nm process, while AMD uses TSMC's 7 nm node. The Intel die is 456 mm² and contains 7,200 million transistors. The AMD chip uses four dies, each 74 mm², for a total of 15,200 million transistors. The cache hierarchy differs as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but Intel has 256 KB of L2 per core, while AMD has 512 KB. Intel's L3 is 55 MB shared, while AMD has 32 MB per die, totaling 128 MB.

Memory support: both use DDR4, but Intel runs quad-channel with 76.8 GB/s, AMD runs eight-channel with 204.8 GB/s. PCIe: Intel Gen 3 with 40 lanes, AMD Gen 4 with 128 lanes. The sockets are different: Intel Socket 2011-3, AMD Socket SP3. The Intel part is marked as Desktop market segment, while AMD is Server/Workstation. Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. Release dates: Intel 2016-10-24, AMD 2019-08-06. TDP: Intel 145 W, AMD 155 W. Base clocks: Intel 2.40 GHz, AMD 3.20 GHz. Boost clocks: Intel 3.60 GHz, AMD 3.40 GHz. Cores and threads: Intel 22/44, AMD 8/16. Both support ECC memory and have no integrated graphics, but those are shared traits.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 1796, AMD 1780, a 0.9% lead for Intel. In R15 single-core, Intel 253, AMD 251, a 0.8% lead. In R20 multi-core, Intel 7486, AMD 7418, 0.9%. In R20 single-core, Intel 1056, AMD 1047, 0.9%. In R23 multi-core, Intel 17826, AMD 17662, 0.9%. In R23 single-core, Intel 2516, AMD 2493, 0.9%. All six tests show Intel ahead, with margins between 0.8% and 0.9%.

The Intel part also has Geekbench scores: 10118 multi-core and 1020 single-core, but the AMD part does not have Geekbench results in the database, so those are not compared. The average benchmark score for Intel is 5259, for AMD 5109. Both sit at the 60th percentile among all CPUs. Intel's nearest rivals include the Core i5-14401E (5253, 0.1% delta) and Core i9-9900X (5301, -0.8% delta). AMD's nearest rivals include the Core i9-7900X (5120, -0.2% delta) and Xeon W-2155 (5072, 0.7% delta). This places both processors in a similar performance class, despite the core count difference.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 is the faster processor in every Cinebench test. Its 22 cores and 44 threads give it a multi-thread advantage, and its single-core scores are also slightly higher. The margins are small, but consistent. For workloads that rely on CPU compute, such as rendering or simulation, the Intel part is the better choice.

However, the AMD EPYC 7262 offers a different set of strengths. Its eight-channel memory interface provides 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, nearly three times Intel's 76.8 GB/s. It also has 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, compared to Intel's 40 Gen 3 lanes, and a total L3 cache of 128 MB versus 55 MB. These features are critical for memory-bound or I/O-heavy server applications, such as large databases or network storage. The AMD part is also newer, released in 2019 versus 2016, and remains active while Intel is end-of-life.

The choice comes down to whether the workload is CPU-bound or platform-bound. If raw CPU benchmark performance is the priority, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 wins. If memory bandwidth and PCIe connectivity matter more, the AMD EPYC 7262 provides those capabilities, even though it trails in the recorded CPU tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 has 22 cores and 44 threads. The AMD EPYC 7262 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the AMD EPYC 7262 boosts to 3.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 has 128 MB total L3 (32 MB per die), while the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 has 55 MB shared.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 supports eight-channel memory, while the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 supports quad-channel.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 has 204.8 GB/s, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 has 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 was released on 2019-08-06, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 on 2016-10-24.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 22 (Intel) vs 8 (AMD)
• Threads: 44 vs 16
• Base clock: 2.40 GHz vs 3.20 GHz
• Boost clock: 3.60 GHz vs 3.40 GHz
• TDP: 145 W vs 155 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 2011-3 vs AMD Socket SP3
• Architecture: Broadwell vs Zen 2
• Process node: 14 nm vs 7 nm
• Foundry: Intel vs TSMC
• Transistors: 7,200 million vs 15,200 million
• Die size: 456 mm² vs 4x 74 mm²
• L2 cache per core: 256 KB vs 512 KB
• L3 cache: 55 MB shared vs 32 MB per die (128 MB total)
• Memory bus: Quad-channel vs Eight-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s vs 204.8 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 3, 40 lanes vs Gen 4, 128 lanes
• Market segment: Desktop vs Server/Workstation
• Production status: End-of-life vs Active
• Release date: 2016-10-24 vs 2019-08-06
• Launch MSRP: $4938 (Intel) vs $575 (AMD)