AMD EPYC 7401P vs Intel Xeon W-2175 Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7401P and Intel Xeon W-2175 are both server/workstation processors from 2017, but they take fundamentally different approaches. The EPYC 7401P is a 24-core, 48-thread Zen-based chip from AMD’s EPYC 7001 series, while the Xeon W-2175 is a 14-core, 28-thread Skylake-W part from Intel. Benchmark results show a consistent and decisive advantage for the AMD processor across every tested workload, with the Xeon trailing by a nearly uniform margin in all Cinebench tests. The data indicates that the EPYC 7401P delivers roughly 18.6% higher performance in both single-core and multi-core scenarios, making it the stronger choice for compute-heavy tasks, though the Xeon’s higher boost clock and lower TDP suggest a different design philosophy.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably consistent, with the AMD EPYC 7401P winning all six recorded tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC scores 2384 against the Xeon’s 2010, a delta of 18.6%. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 336 for AMD versus 283 for Intel, also an 18.7% difference. This near-identical percentage across both single and multi-threaded tests is notable — it suggests the performance gap is not merely a function of core count, but reflects a fundamental per-thread efficiency advantage for the Zen architecture in this comparison.

The pattern holds in newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the EPYC 7401P scores 9937 while the Xeon W-2175 manages 8379, again an 18.6% gap. The R20 single-core test shows 1402 versus 1182, with the same 18.6% delta. Moving to R23, the EPYC posts 23660 multi-core against 19951 for the Xeon, and 3340 single-core against 2816. Every single test records a deltaPct of 18.6% or 18.7%, meaning the relative performance difference is virtually constant regardless of the workload intensity or core utilization.

This consistency is unusual. Typically, a higher-core-count processor would show a larger advantage in multi-threaded tests than in single-threaded ones. Here, the EPYC’s 10 additional cores produce exactly the same percentage lead as its single-core advantage. The Xeon W-2175’s higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz compared to the EPYC’s 3.00 GHz does not translate into a win in any test — the AMD chip’s lower-clocked Zen cores still outperform Intel’s Skylake cores in every Cinebench iteration. The win tally is 6-0 in favor of the EPYC 7401P, with no benchmark where the Xeon takes the lead.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the EPYC 7401P posts 5814 against the Xeon’s 5770, a 0.8% difference in favor of AMD. Both processors sit at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are comparable overall despite the consistent Cinebench gaps. The nearest rival for the EPYC is the Intel Xeon E-2388G at 5805 (0.2% higher), while the Xeon W-2175’s closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X at 5730 (0.7% lower). These narrow margins around the two processors suggest that while the EPYC wins the head-to-head decisively, both are positioned in a crowded mid-to-high performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7401P wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 2384 in R15, 9937 in R20, and 23660 in R23, versus the Intel Xeon W-2175’s 2010, 8379, and 19951 respectively. The advantage is 18.6% in each case.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2175 win any single-core tests?

A: No. The EPYC 7401P also wins every single-core test, with scores of 336 in R15, 1402 in R20, and 3340 in R23, compared to the Xeon’s 283, 1182, and 2816. The single-core delta is 18.6% or 18.7% in favor of AMD.

Q: How do the two processors compare on average benchmark score?

A: The EPYC 7401P has an average benchmark score of 5814, while the Xeon W-2175 scores 5770. This gives AMD a 0.8% lead. Both processors are at the 61st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the core and thread difference?

A: The EPYC 7401P has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Xeon W-2175 has 14 cores and 28 threads. AMD has 10 more cores and 20 more threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2175 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, which is higher than the EPYC 7401P’s 3.00 GHz. Despite this, the EPYC wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD EPYC 7401P is listed as Active, while the Intel Xeon W-2175 is listed as End-of-life. Both were released in 2017, with AMD launching on June 28 and Intel on October 14.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7401P wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its six wins include three multi-core tests and three single-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The multi-core advantage is driven by the 24-core/48-thread configuration, which provides 71% more cores and 71% more threads than the Xeon. The single-core wins are more unexpected, given the Xeon’s 43% higher boost clock, but the data is unambiguous: the EPYC’s Zen cores outperform Intel’s Skylake cores in these specific workloads.

The Intel Xeon W-2175 has no benchmark wins in this comparison. However, it does have advantages in other recorded fields. Its TDP is 140 watts versus 170 for the EPYC, meaning it draws less power under load. It also has a smaller die size at 484 mm² compared to 213 mm² for the EPYC — though this is a physical characteristic, not a performance metric. The Xeon’s higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, and boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, are notable specifications that do not translate into benchmark victories here.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance in Cinebench-class workloads, the EPYC 7401P is the clear winner. The data shows no scenario where the Xeon takes the lead. For users who value lower power draw or who require Intel’s specific platform features, the Xeon W-2175 may still be relevant, but the benchmark record shows it is consistently behind in processing throughput.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD EPYC 7401P has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2175 has 14 cores and 28 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 3.00 GHz and 4.30 GHz respectively. TDP differs, with the EPYC rated at 170 watts and the Xeon at 140 watts.

Memory configuration is another major split. The EPYC supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s, while the Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s. This gives the AMD processor exactly double the memory bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. The PCIe interface is Gen 3 for both, but the Xeon specifies 48 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC does not list a lane count in the data.

Socket and platform details differ completely. The EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066. The EPYC has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Xeon does not. Manufacturing differs as well: the EPYC is built by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process with 4,800 million transistors and a 213 mm² die, while the Xeon is built by Intel on a 14 nm process with no transistor count listed and a 484 mm² die. The EPYC’s production status is Active; the Xeon is End-of-life. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $1947; the EPYC has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. The AMD EPYC 7401P uses the Zen architecture under the codename Naples, part of the EPYC 7001 series. The Intel Xeon W-2175 uses the Skylake architecture under the codename Skylake-W. Both use a 14 nm process node, but from different foundries — GlobalFoundries for AMD and Intel for Intel.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The EPYC has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3. The EPYC’s L3 cache is over three times larger, which likely contributes to its consistent benchmark advantage.

The EPYC’s memory bus is eight-channel, enabling 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth versus the Xeon’s quad-channel 85.3 GB/s. This doubled memory bandwidth is a key architectural difference that favors the AMD design for memory-intensive workloads. The Xeon’s larger die size (484 mm² versus 213 mm²) suggests a more complex layout, but the EPYC’s higher transistor count (4,800 million versus no listed figure for Intel) indicates a denser design on a smaller die. Neither processor has integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7401P outperforms the Intel Xeon W-2175 in every recorded test. With six wins out of six, the EPYC holds an 18.6% advantage in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench workloads. The average benchmark score also favors AMD, at 5814 versus 5770, a 0.8% margin. The EPYC’s higher core count, larger L3 cache, and doubled memory bandwidth all contribute to this outcome, while the Xeon’s higher clocks and lower TDP do not result in any benchmark victory.

For users choosing between these two processors, the data suggests picking the EPYC 7401P for any workload that Cinebench represents — namely, 3D rendering and general compute. The Xeon W-2175 remains an option for those who need Intel’s socket 2066 platform or who prioritize its lower 140-watt TDP, but there is no performance-based reason to select it based on these benchmarks. The EPYC is also still in production, while the Xeon has reached end-of-life status, making the AMD part the more future-proof choice.

The Xeon’s higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz might suggest better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks, but the single-core tests show the EPYC winning by the same 18.6% margin. The EPYC’s 48 threads versus 28 threads gives it a clear parallel processing advantage, and its 170.6 GB/s memory bandwidth versus 85.3 GB/s ensures it can feed those cores effectively. The verdict is straightforward: the AMD EPYC 7401P is the superior processor in this head-to-head, and the Intel Xeon W-2175’s only distinguishing features are lower power draw and a higher clock speed that fails to deliver results.