AMD EPYC 7301 vs AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 and AMD EPYC 7301 are both Zen-based processors, but they target different segments. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 is a desktop chip with 8 cores and 16 threads, while the EPYC 7301 is a server processor with 16 cores and 32 threads. Benchmark results from the database show a clear winner in every recorded test, with the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 taking all six Cinebench victories despite having half the core count.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 outperforms the AMD EPYC 7301 in every benchmark recorded. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 leads by margins of 2.2% to 2.5%. Its average benchmark score of 3777 sits above the EPYC's 3685, a gap of roughly 2.5%. For anyone prioritizing raw CPU performance in the workloads these tests represent, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 is the clear choice.

The EPYC 7301, however, is not without merit. It offers double the cores and threads (16 vs 8), a much larger L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB), and eight-channel memory with a recorded bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. These features are aimed at server and workstation environments where memory throughput and core count matter more than single-thread speed. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700, with its 65 W TDP and dual-channel memory, is built for desktop efficiency. So the verdict depends on the use case: for general desktop and workstation tasks where Cinebench scores are representative, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins outright. For server deployments that need many cores and high memory bandwidth, the EPYC 7301 is the appropriate platform, even if it loses in these specific benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Zen architecture, but they are distinct implementations. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 is part of the 2000 series, codenamed Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge), built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The EPYC 7301 belongs to the EPYC 7001 series, codenamed Naples, and uses a 14 nm process, also from GlobalFoundries. The die sizes differ: 192 mm² for the Ryzen, 213 mm² for the EPYC, though both pack the same 4,800 million transistors.

Core and thread counts are a major differentiator. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the EPYC 7301 has 16 cores and 32 threads. Clock speeds favor the Ryzen: a base of 3.20 GHz and boost of 4.10 GHz, versus the EPYC's 2.20 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. This clock advantage, combined with the newer 12 nm process, explains why the Ryzen wins despite fewer cores.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both have 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is very different: the Ryzen has 16 MB shared, while the EPYC has 64 MB shared. Memory support is another split. The Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4, while the EPYC uses eight-channel DDR4 and lists a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The EPYC also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the Ryzen's PCIe specification is not recorded in the database.

Other differences include socket and market segment. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 uses AMD Socket AM4 and is classified as a desktop part. The EPYC 7301 uses AMD Socket SP3 and is a server/workstation processor. Both have unlocked multipliers. The Ryzen was released on 2018-09-18, while the EPYC came earlier on 2017-06-28. The TDPs are 65 W for the Ryzen and 170 W for the EPYC, reflecting the EPYC's higher core count and server orientation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench tests, and the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen scores 1316 against the EPYC's 1284, a 2.5% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a narrower margin: 185 vs 181, a 2.2% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Ryzen again leads by 2.5% in both multicore (5484 vs 5351) and single-core (774 vs 755). The pattern holds in Cinebench R23: multicore 13059 vs 12742, and single-core 1843 vs 1798, both with a 2.5% delta.

These results are consistent. The Ryzen's higher clock speeds, especially the 4.10 GHz boost, allow it to outperform the EPYC even in multi-threaded workloads where the EPYC has twice as many cores. The EPYC's 2.70 GHz boost is simply too low to compensate for the core deficit in these tests. The average benchmark scores reflect the same story: 3777 for the Ryzen versus 3685 for the EPYC.

Context from the nearest rivals reinforces the picture. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700's closest competitors include the Intel Core i5-1245U (avg score 3775, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i7-9700KF (3787, -0.3%), and the Intel Core i7-8086K (3800, -0.6%). The EPYC 7301 sits near the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X (3673, 0.3%), the AMD EPYC 7251 (3671, 0.4%), and the Intel Core i3-13100E (3668, 0.5%). The Ryzen's average score is higher than all of its listed rivals except the i7-8086K, while the EPYC's average is lower than its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-10980HK (3706, -0.6%). This places the Ryzen in a stronger position within its own performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins every single-core Cinebench test. In R15, it scores 185 vs 181; in R20, 774 vs 755; in R23, 1843 vs 1798. The margins are 2.2% to 2.5%.

Q: Does the EPYC 7301 have more cores?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7301 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite this, the Ryzen wins all multi-core benchmarks due to its higher clock speeds.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The EPYC 7301 has eight-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 uses dual-channel memory, but no bandwidth figure is listed in the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 has a TDP of 65 W, while the EPYC 7301 has a TDP of 170 W. This reflects the EPYC's higher core count and server-oriented design.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The EPYC 7301 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 16 MB on the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700. Both have the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes.

Q: Are both processors unlocked?

A: Yes, both the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 and the EPYC 7301 have unlocked multipliers, allowing overclocking if the platform supports it.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins in every recorded benchmark, making it the superior choice for tasks that rely on raw CPU performance as measured by Cinebench. Its higher base and boost clocks, along with the 12 nm process, give it a consistent edge in both single-thread and multi-thread workloads. The 65 W TDP also makes it a more power-efficient option for desktop systems. For users building a workstation or high-end desktop PC, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 delivers better performance per core and a higher average benchmark score.

The EPYC 7301, on the other hand, wins in architectural features that matter in server environments. It offers 16 cores and 32 threads, double the Ryzen's count, which can benefit heavily parallel workloads that scale beyond 8 cores. Its 64 MB L3 cache is four times larger, and its eight-channel memory with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth provides far greater memory throughput. The EPYC also supports PCIe Gen 3, a feature not recorded for the Ryzen. These attributes make the EPYC 7301 the appropriate choice for server and workstation deployments where memory bandwidth, core count, and platform features take precedence over the specific Cinebench scores recorded here.

In summary, the Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 is the performance winner in the database's tests, while the EPYC 7301 is the feature-rich server part. The choice depends on whether the workload prioritizes the benchmark results or the server-specific capabilities.