AMD EPYC 7281 vs Intel Xeon W-2155 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD EPYC 7281 and the Intel Xeon W-2155 is unusually one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the EPYC 7281 wins every single matchup, with a consistent delta of 4.8% in each test. This uniformity across both multi-core and single-core workloads is striking, suggesting a fundamental advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7281 scores 1852 against the Xeon W-2155's 1767, a 4.8% lead. The single-core R15 test follows the same pattern: 261 versus 249, again a 4.8% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core results show 7718 for the AMD part and 7365 for the Intel part, while single-core scores are 1089 and 1039 respectively. The latest Cinebench R23 test repeats the trend: 18377 versus 17538 in multi-core, and 2594 versus 2475 in single-core.

What makes this interesting is that the Xeon W-2155 has a much higher boost clock on paper. The recorded data shows the Intel chip boosting to 4.50 GHz versus the EPYC's 2.70 GHz. Yet the EPYC still manages to outperform it in single-core tests. This suggests that raw clock speed is not the only factor at play; the architectural efficiency of the Zen-based EPYC 7281 appears to compensate for the lower frequency.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, the EPYC 7281 has an average benchmark score of 5315, placing it at the 60th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon W-2155 averages 5072, also at the 60th percentile. The nearest rival to the EPYC is the Intel Core i9-10900KF with an average score of 5316, a delta of 0%, meaning the two are statistically tied. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X trails closely at 5306 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Core i9-9900X is at 5301 (0.3% behind). For the Xeon W-2155, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at 5070 (0% delta), with the Intel Core i9-12900TE at 5050 (0.4% ahead) and the Intel Core i9-9820X at 5049 (0.4% ahead).

The data reveals that while both processors sit at the same percentile rank, the EPYC 7281 sits at a slightly higher absolute performance level. The consistent 4.8% advantage across every Cinebench iteration, from R15 to R23, indicates that this is not a case of one benchmark favoring one architecture. It is a systematic performance edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD EPYC 7281 is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Naples, and belongs to the EPYC 7001 series. It is manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process node with a die size of 213 mm² and contains 4,800 million transistors. The Intel Xeon W-2155 uses the Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-W, and is produced by Intel on its own 14 nm process. Its die size is significantly larger at 484 mm², though the transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Core counts differ substantially. The EPYC 7281 offers 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Xeon W-2155 provides 10 cores and 20 threads. This gives the AMD part a 60% advantage in core count, which explains its multi-core lead despite the lower clock speeds. The EPYC's base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 2.70 GHz, whereas the Xeon operates at 3.30 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies reveal another key difference. The EPYC 7281 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a large 32 MB shared L3 cache. The Xeon W-2155 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and only 13.75 MB of shared L3. The EPYC's L3 cache is more than double the Intel chip's, which likely contributes to its single-core performance advantage despite the frequency deficit.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. The EPYC 7281 supports an eight-channel DDR4 memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. The Xeon W-2155 uses a quad-channel DDR4 configuration with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. This gives the AMD processor exactly double the memory bandwidth, a critical factor for server and workstation workloads that are memory-intensive. Both support ECC memory, and both use PCIe Gen 3, though the Xeon specifies 48 lanes from the CPU.

The sockets are incompatible: the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066. The EPYC has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked. Production status also differs: the EPYC 7281 is listed as Active, while the Xeon W-2155 is End-of-life. Release dates are close, with the EPYC launching on 2017-06-28 and the Xeon on 2017-08-28.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7281 has 16 cores and 32 threads, compared to the Intel Xeon W-2155's 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Does the EPYC 7281 actually beat the Xeon W-2155 in single-core performance despite its lower clock speed?

A: Yes. The recorded data shows the EPYC 7281 winning single-core tests in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 with a 4.8% delta in each case, even though its boost clock is 2.70 GHz versus the Xeon's 4.50 GHz.

Q: How much memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The EPYC 7281 supports eight-channel memory with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon W-2155 supports quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Xeon W-2155?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2155 has a launch MSRP of $1440. The EPYC 7281's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The EPYC 7281 has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon W-2155 has 13.75 MB, making the AMD part's L3 cache more than twice as large.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The EPYC 7281 is listed as Active, while the Xeon W-2155 is listed as End-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the AMD EPYC 7281 outperforms the Intel Xeon W-2155 across every recorded test. The consistent 4.8% margin in all six Cinebench benchmarks, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads, indicates a comprehensive performance advantage. The EPYC achieves this with 16 cores versus 10, a larger L3 cache (32 MB versus 13.75 MB), and double the memory bandwidth (170.6 GB/s versus 85.3 GB/s), despite the Xeon's substantially higher clock speeds.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the EPYC 7281's additional 6 cores and 12 threads make it the obvious choice. Its 18377 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus the Xeon's 17538 demonstrates a meaningful lead in heavily parallel workloads. The single-core results are more surprising: the EPYC wins with 2594 versus 2475 in R23, suggesting that the Zen architecture's efficiency offsets the 1.80 GHz boost clock disadvantage.

The Xeon W-2155 does have one advantage in the recorded data: its launch MSRP of $1440 is documented, while the EPYC's pricing is not available. The Xeon also has a larger die size (484 mm² versus 213 mm²) and a higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.10 GHz). However, these specifications do not translate into benchmark wins.

The production status is a significant consideration. The EPYC 7281 remains Active, while the Xeon W-2155 is End-of-life. For system builders looking at long-term availability and support, the EPYC is the safer choice. The Xeon's locked multiplier also limits overclocking potential, whereas the EPYC's unlocked multiplier offers flexibility for those who wish to push beyond stock settings.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7281 | Intel Xeon W-2155 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 140 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Zen | Skylake |

| Codename | Naples | Skylake-W |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 484 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 32 MB shared | 13.75 MB shared |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 170.6 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Release Date | 2017-06-28 | 2017-08-28 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $1440 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part Number | Not recorded | SR3LR |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7281 wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. Its six wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both multi-core and single-core modes, make it the definitive choice for performance-focused workloads. The multi-core advantage is expected given the core count disparity, but the single-core wins are notable given the Xeon's much higher clock speeds.

For multi-threaded applications such as rendering, scientific computing, and virtualization, the EPYC 7281's 16 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial edge. The 32 MB L3 cache and 170.6 GB/s memory bandwidth also benefit workloads that access large datasets, such as database servers and in-memory analytics. The eight-channel memory architecture is particularly well-suited for memory-bound tasks.

The Intel Xeon W-2155 does not win any recorded benchmark, but it does have characteristics that may appeal in specific scenarios. Its 140 W TDP is lower than the EPYC's 170 W, which could translate to lower cooling requirements in dense server environments. The higher base and boost clocks (3.30 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively) may benefit lightly threaded workloads that are highly latency-sensitive, even though the recorded single-core benchmarks do not reflect this advantage. The Xeon's 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU also provide expansion headroom for systems with many add-in cards.

The EPYC 7281's Active production status makes it a viable option for new system designs, while the Xeon W-2155's End-of-life status suggests it is best suited for maintaining existing deployments rather than new builds. The EPYC's unlocked multiplier is an additional point in its favor for users who want to extract extra performance through overclocking.