AMD EPYC 7272 vs Intel Xeon W-2191B Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Xeon W-2191B wins every single recorded Cinebench test, and by nearly the same margin each time. Across all six head-to-head comparisons, the Intel part leads the AMD EPYC 7272 by 10.5% in five of the six tests, with the remaining test showing a 10.3% advantage. This uniformity suggests a fundamental performance gap rather than workload-specific quirks.

Starting with single-core results, the Xeon W-2191B scores 339 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 304 for the EPYC 7272, a 10.3% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap is 1416 versus 1267, again 10.5%. The R23 single-core test shows 3372 against 3019, preserving that same 10.5% delta. The consistency here is notable: the Intel chip's higher boost clock appears to deliver a steady advantage regardless of the benchmark generation.

Multi-core results tell a similar story but with more absolute significance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon W-2191B posts 2407 versus 2155 for the EPYC 7272. The R20 multi-core test shows 10032 versus 8982, and R23 multi-core lands at 23887 versus 21386. Every multi-core test also shows the same 10.5% delta. The Intel processor has 18 cores and 36 threads against the AMD's 12 cores and 24 threads, yet the performance gap is not larger than the single-core gap, which hints at how efficiently the AMD chip scales with its fewer cores.

When placed against the broader database, the two processors sit at nearly the same percentile: the EPYC 7272 ranks at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, while the Xeon W-2191B sits at the 62nd. Their average benchmark scores differ more noticeably: 6186 for the AMD part versus 6531 for the Intel part, a difference of roughly 5.6%. Interestingly, the EPYC 7272's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (6231 average score, 0.7% higher) and the Intel Core i9-7940X (6147, 0.6% lower), while the Xeon W-2191B's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-7960X (6533, essentially tied) and the Intel Xeon D-2796TE (6510, 0.3% lower). The data suggests that while the Intel chip wins this head-to-head, both processors are surrounded by comparable alternatives in the database's ranking.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W-2191B wins everywhere in the recorded benchmarks, but the nature of its wins matters for real-world use. Its single-core advantage of 10.3% to 10.5% across all Cinebench versions indicates that lightly threaded workloads, such as legacy applications, scripted tasks, or software that relies on one or two fast cores, will see a clear benefit from the Intel part. The boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz for the AMD chip explains this consistently.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Xeon W-2191B also wins, but the margin is identical at 10.5%. This is curious because the Intel chip has 50% more cores (18 versus 12) and 50% more threads (36 versus 24). If core count scaled perfectly, one might expect a much larger multi-core lead. The fact that the Intel advantage stays at 10.5% suggests the AMD EPYC 7272's Zen 2 architecture extracts more performance per core, especially in heavily parallel rendering tasks. The EPYC 7272's smaller physical size (two dies at 74 mm² each versus a single 484 mm² die for Intel) and newer 7 nm process may contribute to this efficiency.

The EPYC 7272 does not win any benchmark, but the database shows it holds its ground in specific contexts. Its average benchmark score of 6186 sits within 0.7% of the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and 0.6% of the Core i9-7940X, meaning it trades blows with those established workstation parts. For workloads that benefit from the AMD platform's memory bandwidth, the EPYC 7272 offers eight-channel DDR4 support versus quad-channel for the Xeon, with both rated at 85.3 GB/s. The AMD chip also provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes, whereas the Intel part uses PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes. These platform-level differences do not show up in Cinebench scores but could matter for storage arrays, GPU clusters, or high-speed networking.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. The AMD EPYC 7272 uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 7,600 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies, for a total die area of 148 mm². The Intel Xeon W-2191B uses the older Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-W, on Intel's 14 nm process, with a single large 484 mm² die. The transistor count for the Intel chip is not recorded in the database, but the die size difference is stark: the Intel silicon is more than three times larger physically while using an older, less dense process.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The EPYC 7272 provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus 32 MB of L3 per die, totaling 64 MB of L3. The Xeon W-2191B also has 64 KB of L1 per core but doubles the L2 to 1 MB per core, while its L3 is 24.75 MB shared across all cores. The AMD chip has more total L3 cache, which can help with large working sets, while the Intel chip has more L2 per core, which may benefit latency-sensitive single-threaded code.

Memory support is another key divider. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory, and both are rated at 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. However, the EPYC 7272 uses an eight-channel memory bus while the Xeon W-2191B uses quad-channel. The equal bandwidth rating despite different channel counts suggests the AMD platform achieves the same throughput with more channels, potentially at lower per-channel frequency. The EPYC 7272's PCIe Gen 4 support with 128 lanes is a generation ahead of the Xeon's PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes, offering more bandwidth and more expansion capacity for modern accelerators and NVMe storage.

Socket and platform compatibility also differ: the EPYC 7272 uses AMD Socket SP3, while the Xeon W-2191B uses Intel Socket 2066. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the AMD part remains active. The EPYC 7272 launched in August 2019 with a launch MSRP of $625, while the Xeon W-2191B launched in December 2017 with no recorded MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither includes integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance winner: the Intel Xeon W-2191B outperforms the AMD EPYC 7272 by 10.5% in every Cinebench test where both were measured, with the single-core R15 test showing a slightly smaller 10.3% gap. This consistency makes the verdict straightforward for raw CPU throughput: the Intel part is faster in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads.

However, the broader context matters. The EPYC 7272 achieves this 10.5% deficit while using 50% fewer cores, drawing less power (120 W TDP versus 140 W), and running on a newer 7 nm process. For systems where the platform matters more than the CPU alone, the AMD chip offers eight-channel memory, PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes, and an active production status. The Xeon W-2191B is end-of-life, which could affect long-term availability and support.

Who should pick which? From the data alone, the Xeon W-2191B is the choice for applications where every bit of Cinebench-style performance counts, especially if single-thread speed is critical and the platform's older PCIe Gen 3 and quad-channel memory are acceptable. The EPYC 7272 suits scenarios where the CPU sits in a larger system context: the eight-channel memory bus and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes allow for more storage and GPU expansion, and the active production status means it remains available for new builds. The 10.5% performance gap is real but not overwhelming, and the AMD part's efficiency per core is impressive given its lower core count.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B scores 3372 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the AMD EPYC 7272 scores 3019, giving Intel a 10.5% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the Xeon W-2191B in multi-core workloads?

A: Across all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23), the Xeon W-2191B leads by 10.5%. For example, in R23 multi-core, it scores 23887 versus 21386 for the EPYC 7272.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The AMD EPYC 7272 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B has 18 cores and 36 threads, which is 50% more of each.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 7272 and the Intel Xeon W-2191B support ECC memory, and both are rated for 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD EPYC 7272 provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Q: Is either processor still in production?

A: The AMD EPYC 7272 is listed as active in production, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B is marked as end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7272 | Intel Xeon W-2191B |

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

| Cores | 12 | 18 |

| Threads | 24 | 36 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 140 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Skylake |

| Codename | Rome | Skylake-W |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 74 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (per die), 64 MB total | 24.75 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Quad-channel |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes | Gen 3, 48 Lanes |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2017-12-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $625 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | 100-000000079 | SR3RW |