AMD EPYC 7302P vs Intel Xeon W-2195 Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7302P and Intel Xeon W-2195 are both server/workstation processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear and consistent performance hierarchy. The EPYC 7302P wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the provided dataset, achieving a 16.6% lead in multi-core tests and a 16.9% lead in the single-core Cinebench R15 test. The Intel Xeon W-2195, while having more cores and a higher boost clock, cannot overcome the architectural efficiency of AMD's Zen 2 design.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7302P dominates across all six recorded benchmark tests. In multi-core workloads, the EPYC 7302P scores 2,800 in Cinebench R15, 11,670 in R20, and 27,786 in R23, compared to the Xeon W-2195's 2,401, 10,007, and 23,828 respectively. Each of these multi-core results represents a 16.6% advantage for the AMD processor. This consistent delta suggests a fundamental performance-per-core advantage rather than a workload-specific edge.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The EPYC 7302P achieves 395 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 1,647 in R20, and 3,922 in R23. The Xeon W-2195 trails with 338, 1,412, and 3,363 respectively. The single-core deltas are 16.9% for R15 and 16.6% for R20 and R23. This indicates that the Zen 2 architecture delivers higher instructions per clock (IPC) than the older Skylake design, even at the EPYC 7302P's lower boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus the Xeon's 4.30 GHz.

The Xeon W-2195 has no benchmark wins in this dataset. Its only advantage lies in core count (18 versus 16) and boost clock (4.30 GHz versus 3.30 GHz), but these specifications do not translate into higher scores. The data shows that the EPYC 7302P's 7 nm process node and 128 MB total L3 cache provide a decisive performance edge.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7302P is the superior processor for every benchmark recorded. If your workload is multi-threaded rendering, compilation, or simulation, the EPYC 7302P's 16.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (27,786 vs 23,828) makes it the clear choice. For single-threaded tasks, the EPYC 7302P's 16.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (395 vs 338) shows it is also faster per thread.

The Intel Xeon W-2195 is end-of-life and its 14 nm Skylake architecture cannot compete with AMD's 7 nm Zen 2. The EPYC 7302P achieves these results with 16 cores versus the Xeon's 18, meaning AMD's per-core efficiency is significantly higher. The EPYC 7302P also offers eight-channel memory support (204.8 GB/s bandwidth) versus the Xeon's quad-channel (85.3 GB/s), and PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes versus Gen 3 with 48 lanes. For any new server or workstation build, the EPYC 7302P is the recommended processor based on this benchmark data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest percentage win for the AMD EPYC 7302P is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 16.9% (395 vs 338). This is notable because the Xeon W-2195 has a 30% higher boost clock (4.30 GHz vs 3.30 GHz), yet still loses by nearly 17%. This starkly illustrates the IPC advantage of Zen 2 over Skylake.

All multi-core tests show a uniform 16.6% delta. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7302P scores 2,800 versus 2,401. In R20, the scores are 11,670 versus 10,007. In R23, the scores are 27,786 versus 23,828. The consistency of the 16.6% delta across all three Cinebench versions suggests a stable architectural performance ratio that scales linearly with thread count.

The single-core R20 and R23 results also show exactly 16.6% deltas (1,647 vs 1,412 and 3,922 vs 3,363 respectively). This uniformity across tests and workloads is a strong indicator that the performance difference is intrinsic to the core design, not a result of thermal or power management quirks. The EPYC 7302P's base clock of 3.00 GHz is also higher than the Xeon's 2.30 GHz, contributing to its sustained performance advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7302P has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Despite having fewer cores, does the EPYC 7302P win in multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes. The EPYC 7302P leads by 16.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (27,786 vs 23,828), R20 multi-core (11,670 vs 10,007), and R15 multi-core (2,800 vs 2,401).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC 7302P supports eight-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, while the Xeon W-2195 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: How do the processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The EPYC 7302P wins all single-core tests, with leads of 16.9% in Cinebench R15 (395 vs 338) and 16.6% in both R20 (1,647 vs 1,412) and R23 (3,922 vs 3,363).

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities?

A: The EPYC 7302P offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon W-2195 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The EPYC 7302P has 128 MB total L3 cache (32 MB per die across four dies), while the Xeon W-2195 has 24.75 MB shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD EPYC 7302P uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process node, with a die size of 4x 74 mm² and 15,200 million transistors. It is codenamed "Rome" and belongs to the EPYC 7002 series. The Intel Xeon W-2195 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm Intel process node, with a die size of 484 mm². It is codenamed "Skylake-W" and belongs to the Xeon W series.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The EPYC 7302P has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 32 MB L3 per die, totaling 128 MB. The Xeon W-2195 has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 24.75 MB shared L3. The EPYC's larger L3 cache is a key factor in its performance advantage, particularly in memory-intensive workloads.

Memory support diverges sharply. The EPYC 7302P uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon W-2195 uses a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory. The EPYC's memory bandwidth is 2.4 times higher, which is critical for server workloads that are memory-bound.

Connectivity also differs. The EPYC 7302P provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon W-2195 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes (CPU only). This gives the AMD processor more than double the PCIe lanes and a newer generation, enabling faster I/O for GPUs and NVMe storage.

Process node and manufacturing are distinct. The EPYC 7302P is fabricated by TSMC at 7 nm, while the Xeon W-2195 is fabricated by Intel at 14 nm. The smaller process node contributes to the EPYC's higher efficiency and performance per watt, despite its higher TDP of 155 W versus the Xeon's 140 W.

The production statuses differ: the EPYC 7302P is listed as "Active," while the Xeon W-2195 is "End-of-life." The EPYC 7302P was released on 2019-08-06, while the Xeon W-2195 was released on 2017-08-28. The EPYC 7302P's launch MSRP was $825, and the Xeon W-2195's launch MSRP was $2553. Both processors use different sockets: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC and Intel Socket 2066 for the Xeon. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier or integrated graphics.