AMD EPYC 7303 vs Intel Xeon w3-2535 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits this comparison into two clearly defined territories. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 dominates the rendering and single-threaded workloads, while the AMD EPYC 7303 carves out wins in specific server-oriented tasks. Out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel part takes 13 victories, with the AMD part claiming 4.

The most striking separation appears in the Cinebench suite. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon w3-2535 holds a consistent 17.3% to 17.4% advantage. This includes both multicore and singlecore variants of R15, R20, and R23. The consistency of that margin suggests a fundamental architectural edge rather than a workload-specific quirk. For rendering tasks that rely heavily on Cinebench-style workloads, the Intel processor is the clear choice.

Single-thread performance tells an even more lopsided story. In PassMark's single_thread test, the Intel Xeon w3-2535 scores 3447 against 1460 for the AMD EPYC 7303, a 136.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and points to a massive difference in per-core capability. The Intel part's 4.60 GHz boost clock compared to 3.40 GHz on the AMD part helps explain this gap, though the architecture differences also play a role.

The AMD EPYC 7303 fights back in integer-heavy and security-related workloads. It wins PassMark integer_math by 7.8%, data_encryption by 16.8%, and find_prime_numbers by 17.8%. The data_compression test also goes to AMD, albeit by a narrow 3.2% margin. These wins align with the EPYC's server pedigree: more physical cores (16 versus 10), more threads (32 versus 20), and a larger shared L3 cache (64 MB versus 26.25 MB) that benefits certain parallel data operations.

The floating_point_math test is a decisive Intel win at 28.7%, while extended_instructions goes to Intel by 8.6%. The multithread PassMark score favors Intel by 17.3%, matching the Cinebench multicore pattern. Physics and random_string_sorting are closer calls, with Intel winning by 4% and 2.7% respectively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 uses Sapphire Rapids architecture built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the AMD EPYC 7303 uses Zen 3 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm node with 8,300 million transistors spread across 2x 81 mm² dies. These process differences influence power characteristics and transistor density, though the data shows the Intel part draws 185 W TDP versus 130 W for the AMD part.

Core configurations diverge significantly. The Intel chip packs 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD chip offers 16 cores and 32 threads. Despite having 60% more cores, the AMD part cannot match the Intel part in most multithreaded benchmarks. This suggests the Intel cores are substantially more efficient per thread, likely due to higher clock speeds and architectural improvements.

Cache hierarchies reflect different strategies. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, plus 26.25 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but offers 64 MB of shared L3. The larger AMD L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in data_compression and integer_math, where larger working sets can stay resident on-die.

Memory architecture also differs. Intel supports DDR5 with a quad-channel bus and 140.8 GB/s bandwidth. AMD supports DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part has 45% more memory bandwidth on paper, yet this does not translate into wins in most benchmarks. The Intel part's higher per-core performance seems to compensate for its narrower memory path.

PCIe connectivity favors AMD with 128 Gen 4 lanes versus Intel's 64 Gen 5 lanes. The newer PCIe standard on Intel offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but AMD provides double the lane count. For systems needing many expansion devices, the AMD part offers more physical connectivity.

Both CPUs target the server and workstation segment, support ECC memory, and have locked multipliers. Sockets differ: Intel uses Socket 4677, AMD uses Socket SP3. The Intel part released on 2024-08-23 with a launch MSRP of $739, while the AMD part released on 2023-09-04 with a launch MSRP of $604.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 wins 13 of 17 benchmarks and holds an average benchmark score of 46653 against 45960 for the AMD EPYC 7303. The Intel part also sits at the 89th percentile versus all CPUs, matching the AMD part's percentile ranking.

Workload selection should follow the benchmark wins. For Cinebench rendering, floating-point math, extended instruction sets, physics simulations, random string sorting, multithreaded tasks, and especially single-threaded applications, the Intel Xeon w3-2535 is the stronger choice. The 136.1% lead in single_thread performance means any application that cannot fully utilize many cores will run dramatically better on the Intel part.

The AMD EPYC 7303 justifies consideration for specific server workloads. Data encryption shows a 16.8% advantage, prime number finding shows 17.8%, and integer math shows 7.8%. These tasks benefit from the 16-core configuration and the 64 MB L3 cache. Data compression also favors AMD, though the 3.2% margin is modest.

Both processors rank at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same overall performance tier despite their different strengths. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX with a 0% delta, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X at 0.4%, the Intel Core i7-13700K at -0.5%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 at -0.7%. The AMD EPYC 7303's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-14700HX at 0%, the AMD EPYC 4364P at 0%, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 at -0.2%, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at -0.2%.

The choice depends on whether the workload favors Intel's per-core strength or AMD's core count and cache capacity. The recorded data shows no single processor winning across all categories.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 wins PassMark's single_thread test with a score of 3447 compared to 1460 for the AMD EPYC 7303, a 136.1% advantage. The Intel part also wins every Cinebench singlecore test by 17.3% to 17.4%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 scores 28489 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the AMD EPYC 7303 scores 24286. This gives Intel a 17.3% advantage despite having 6 fewer cores and 12 fewer threads.

Q: In which benchmarks does the AMD EPYC 7303 outperform the Intel Xeon w3-2535?

A: The AMD EPYC 7303 wins four tests: data_compression by 3.2%, data_encryption by 16.8%, find_prime_numbers by 17.8%, and integer_math by 7.8%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD EPYC 7303 has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 has 26.25 MB of L3 cache. The AMD EPYC 7303 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 supports DDR5 memory with a quad-channel bus and 140.8 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD EPYC 7303 supports DDR4 memory with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results establish the Intel Xeon w3-2535 as the dominant rendering processor. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel scores 2871 against 2448 for AMD, a 17.3% lead. The singlecore R15 test shows 405 versus 345, a 17.4% margin. These percentages repeat almost exactly across R20 and R23, with multicore deltas of 17.3% in both and singlecore deltas of 17.4% in R20 and 17.3% in R23. The consistency suggests a fixed per-clock advantage rather than workload-dependent scaling.

The PassMark suite reveals where the AMD EPYC 7303's extra cores matter. In integer_math, AMD scores 113422 against 104596 for Intel, a 7.8% win. Data encryption goes to AMD at 25167 versus 20931, a 16.8% margin. Find_prime_numbers shows AMD ahead at 180 versus 148, a 17.8% advantage. Data compression favors AMD by a smaller 3.2% margin with scores of 428319 and 414399.

Intel scores its largest victory in the PassMark single_thread test. The 3447 versus 1460 result represents a 136.1% advantage, meaning the Intel core is more than twice as fast in this measure. The floating_point_math test also goes heavily to Intel at 83582 versus 64940, a 28.7% margin. Extended instructions favor Intel by 8.6% with scores of 34318 and 31603.

The multithread PassMark test follows the Cinebench pattern with Intel winning 33517 to 28572, a 17.3% margin. Physics shows a closer 4% Intel win at 1863 versus 1792, while random_string_sorting goes to Intel by 2.7% with scores of 43413 and 42259.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 uses 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7303 uses 16 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for Intel and 2.40 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 4.60 GHz and 3.40 GHz respectively.

Power envelopes differ substantially: the Intel part has a 185 W TDP, the AMD part has a 130 W TDP. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 4677, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket SP3. Manufacturing processes are 10 nm for Intel and 7 nm for AMD, with the AMD part specifying 8,300 million transistors and 2x 81 mm² die size.

Cache configurations show Intel allocating 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core with 26.25 MB L3, while AMD uses 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 64 MB shared L3. Memory support differs by generation: DDR5 for Intel, DDR4 for AMD. Memory buses are quad-channel for Intel and eight-channel for AMD, yielding 140.8 GB/s and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth respectively.

PCIe connectivity differs in both generation and lane count. Intel provides Gen 5 with 64 lanes, AMD provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes. Both support ECC memory and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has no integrated graphics, while the AMD part lists no integrated graphics data. Release dates are 2024-08-23 for Intel and 2023-09-04 for AMD.