AMD EPYC 7301 vs AMD Ryzen 7 2700E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a remarkably consistent picture across every Cinebench generation. The AMD EPYC 7301 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, yet the margins are uniformly narrow at a 2.3% delta in each test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7301 scores 1284 against 1255 for the Ryzen 7 2700E, a 29-point gap. The single-core R15 result is similarly tight: 181 versus 177. This pattern repeats in R20, where the EPYC 7301 posts 5351 multi-core and 755 single-core, while the Ryzen 7 2700E manages 5232 and 738 respectively. In the most recent Cinebench R23 test, the EPYC 7301 reaches 12742 multi-core and 1798 single-core, compared to 12458 and 1758 for the Ryzen 7 2700E.

The consistency of the 2.3% delta across every workload is notable. It suggests the performance difference is not workload-dependent but rather a fixed characteristic of how these two processors execute the same instructions. Neither chip shows a particular strength in single-threaded or multi-threaded tasks relative to the other; the advantage is uniform. The average benchmark score for the EPYC 7301 is 3685, while the Ryzen 7 2700E averages 3603, a difference of 82 points. In percentile terms, the EPYC 7301 sits at the 56th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 7 2700E sits at the 55th percentile, a one-point separation that aligns with the modest benchmark deltas.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip provides context for where these scores place them. The EPYC 7301's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X with an average score of 3673, just 0.3% behind. The Intel Core i9-10980HK trails by 0.6% with a 3706 average. For the Ryzen 7 2700E, its nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-2678 v3 at 3608, which is 0.1% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700 at 3613, which is 0.3% ahead. These rival deltas confirm that both processors sit in a tightly packed performance band where small percentage differences separate a long list of contenders.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same Zen architecture from AMD, but they diverge in almost every implementation detail. The EPYC 7301 belongs to the EPYC 7001 series with the Naples codename, built on a 14 nm process node. The Ryzen 7 2700E belongs to the 2000 series with the Zen+ Pinnacle Ridge codename, built on a 12 nm process node. Both are fabricated by GlobalFoundries and both contain 4,800 million transistors. The die sizes differ: the EPYC 7301 measures 213 mm², while the Ryzen 7 2700E measures 192 mm².

The core configurations are starkly different. The EPYC 7301 offers 16 cores and 32 threads, double the Ryzen 7 2700E's 8 cores and 16 threads. Both chips have the same per-core cache hierarchy: 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. The shared L3 cache, however, differs substantially. The EPYC 7301 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 7 2700E has only 16 MB. This four-fold difference in L3 capacity is a direct consequence of the EPYC's server-oriented design, which needs larger cache pools to feed more cores and support heavier multi-threaded workloads.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The EPYC 7301 supports DDR4 memory across an eight-channel memory bus, delivering a recorded memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. The Ryzen 7 2700E also supports DDR4 but only across a dual-channel memory bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The EPYC 7301 supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 7 2700E does not. The EPYC 7301 uses PCIe Gen 3, while no PCIe generation is recorded for the Ryzen 7 2700E. The sockets are completely different: the EPYC 7301 uses AMD Socket SP3, the Ryzen 7 2700E uses AMD Socket AM4.

The clock speeds tell a different story. The EPYC 7301 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz, reflecting the power and thermal constraints of a server platform. The Ryzen 7 2700E has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, significantly higher frequencies enabled by its lower core count and desktop-oriented design. The thermal design power reflects this trade-off: the EPYC 7301 is rated at 170 W, while the Ryzen 7 2700E is rated at 65 W. The multiplier is unlocked on the EPYC 7301 but locked on the Ryzen 7 2700E. The EPYC 7301 has a recorded part number of PS7301BEVGPAF, while no part number is recorded for the Ryzen 7 2700E.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear but narrow overall winner. The AMD EPYC 7301 wins all six recorded benchmarks and holds a 2.3% advantage in every test. The average benchmark score favors the EPYC 7301 at 3685 versus 3603 for the Ryzen 7 2700E. The market segments, however, could not be more different: the EPYC 7301 targets server and workstation deployments, while the Ryzen 7 2700E targets desktop systems. The EPYC 7301's advantages in memory bandwidth, L3 cache, ECC support, and core count align with server workloads that require high throughput and reliability. The Ryzen 7 2700E's higher clock speeds and lower power draw align with desktop usage where per-thread responsiveness and efficiency matter more.

Users who prioritize raw multi-threaded throughput, large memory pools, and ECC reliability should select the EPYC 7301. Users who need a desktop processor with higher clock speeds, lower power consumption, and a mainstream socket should select the Ryzen 7 2700E. The performance gap in the recorded benchmarks is small enough that it will rarely be the deciding factor; platform requirements and workload characteristics will drive the choice more than the 2.3% Cinebench delta. The EPYC 7301 also offers an unlocked multiplier, which the Ryzen 7 2700E lacks, giving the server chip an overclocking option despite its lower base clocks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The core count differs by a factor of two: 16 cores for the EPYC 7301 versus 8 cores for the Ryzen 7 2700E. Thread counts follow the same pattern at 32 versus 16. The base clock is higher on the Ryzen 7 2700E at 2.80 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, and the boost clock is substantially higher at 4.00 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. The thermal design power is 170 W for the EPYC 7301 and 65 W for the Ryzen 7 2700E. The sockets are AMD Socket SP3 versus AMD Socket AM4. The process node is 14 nm versus 12 nm. The die size is 213 mm² versus 192 mm². The L3 cache is 64 MB shared versus 16 MB shared. The memory bus is eight-channel versus dual-channel. The memory bandwidth is 170.6 GB/s for the EPYC 7301, with no figure recorded for the Ryzen 7 2700E. ECC memory support is present on the EPYC 7301 and absent on the Ryzen 7 2700E. PCIe generation is Gen 3 for the EPYC 7301, with no generation recorded for the Ryzen 7 2700E. The market segment is server/workstation versus desktop. The release date is 2017-06-28 for the EPYC 7301 and 2018-09-18 for the Ryzen 7 2700E. The multiplier is unlocked on the EPYC 7301 and locked on the Ryzen 7 2700E. The part number is recorded only for the EPYC 7301.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7301 has 16 cores and 32 threads, double the 8 cores and 16 threads of the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E.

Q: How large is the L3 cache difference?

A: The EPYC 7301 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 7 2700E has 16 MB, a four-fold difference.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The EPYC 7301 supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 7 2700E does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The EPYC 7301 boosts to 2.70 GHz, while the Ryzen 7 2700E boosts to 4.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The EPYC 7301 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s over an eight-channel memory bus. No bandwidth figure is recorded for the Ryzen 7 2700E, which uses a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor won the most benchmarks?

A: The EPYC 7301 won all six recorded Cinebench tests, with a 2.3% delta in each one.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7301 wins every recorded benchmark, but the practical advantages extend beyond raw scores. The server processor offers eight-channel memory support with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth, which provides a massive throughput advantage for memory-bound workloads such as large database operations, virtualization hosts, and scientific computing. The 64 MB L3 cache reduces memory latency for repeated data access patterns common in server workloads. ECC memory support ensures data integrity in mission-critical environments. The unlocked multiplier offers tuning flexibility. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration provides parallel processing headroom for heavily threaded server applications.

The Ryzen 7 2700E wins in scenarios that favor its design characteristics. The 4.00 GHz boost clock provides faster single-thread responsiveness for desktop applications. The 65 W thermal design power makes it suitable for compact desktop systems with limited cooling and power budgets. The dual-channel memory bus and desktop socket AM4 platform align with mainstream motherboards and consumer-grade components. The lack of ECC support and lower core count do not hinder typical desktop workloads like web browsing, productivity software, or media consumption. The 12 nm process node and smaller 192 mm² die size indicate a more efficient implementation for desktop thermal envelopes.

The data shows that the EPYC 7301 is the better choice for server racks and workstation builds where core density, memory capacity, and ECC reliability are paramount. The Ryzen 7 2700E is the better choice for desktop systems where clock speed, power efficiency, and platform compatibility take priority. The 2.3% benchmark delta between them is minor in absolute terms, but the platform differences are substantial and should guide the selection process.