AMD EPYC 7402P vs Intel Xeon W-3175X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-3175X wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison against the AMD EPYC 7402P. Out of eight benchmark tests, the Intel part takes eight wins, a clean sweep.

In the Cinebench suite, the margins are consistent but modest. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon W-3175X scores 3900 against the EPYC 7402P's 3749, a 4% advantage. The single-core result in the same test shows 550 versus 529, also a 4% edge. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multicore scores are 16250 for Intel against 15621 for AMD, and single-core is 2294 versus 2205, both again at a 4% delta. Cinebench R23 follows the same script, with the Intel part scoring 38692 versus 37195 in multicore and 5462 versus 5251 in single-core, another 4% gap.

The Geekbench results tell a different story, and it is here that the Xeon W-3175X truly separates itself. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel part scores 14331 against 10476 for the EPYC, a commanding 36.8% lead. The single-core Geekbench test shows 1472 versus 1204, a 22.3% advantage. These are far larger deltas than anything seen in the Cinebench tests, suggesting the two processors respond very differently to the workloads in each benchmark.

Interpreting these numbers requires context. The 4% Cinebench leads are real but narrow, meaning that for most rendering workloads the two chips are close competitors. The Geekbench results, however, indicate that the Xeon W-3175X has a substantial advantage in the specific tasks exercised by that suite. The data does not show a single test where the EPYC 7402P pulls ahead.

The average benchmark score metric reinforces the overall picture. The Xeon W-3175X posts an average score of 10369, placing it in the 66th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The EPYC 7402P averages 9529, which puts it at the 65th percentile. Both are solidly mid-pack performers, but the Intel part holds a measurable edge in aggregate.

Looking at nearest rivals adds another layer. The Xeon W-3175X sits 0.2% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 6338N, 0.5% ahead of the Xeon E3-1565L v5, 0.8% ahead of the Xeon Gold 6312U, and 1.4% ahead of the Xeon Platinum 8280. The EPYC 7402P, meanwhile, is 0.4% ahead of the Core i7-7700HQ, 1.1% ahead of the Atom x7835RE, and 1.3% ahead of the Xeon Platinum 8180, while trailing the Core i5-1035G1 by 1.6%. The Xeon W-3175X is grouped with higher-tier server silicon, while the EPYC 7402P's neighbors include mobile and low-power parts, which speaks to the difference in their benchmark profiles.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon W-3175X is built on the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-W codename, using a 14 nm process fabricated by Intel. It packs 28 cores with 56 threads. The AMD EPYC 7402P uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Rome codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC, and it offers 24 cores with 48 threads.

The die characteristics differ sharply. The Intel chip has 8,000 million transistors on a die size of 688 mm². The AMD chip has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. That is a striking difference: the AMD processor achieves 24 cores on a die roughly one-tenth the size of Intel's, thanks to the denser 7 nm process. The EPYC 7402P is part of the EPYC 7002 series, while the Xeon W-3175X does not carry a series designation in the database.

Cache hierarchies are configured very differently. The Xeon W-3175X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 38.5 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7402P has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's total L3 is listed as 128 MB, more than three times the Intel chip's L3 capacity. This large L3 cache is a hallmark of the Zen 2 architecture and likely contributes to its competitiveness in certain workloads despite fewer cores.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory, but the Intel part uses a six-channel memory bus with 128.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD part uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The EPYC 7402P has a 60% higher theoretical memory bandwidth, which is significant for memory-bound server workloads.

PCIe connectivity is another major differentiator. The Xeon W-3175X provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU. The EPYC 7402P provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU. That is a substantial advantage in both generation and lane count for the AMD part, giving it far more headroom for expansion cards, accelerators, and storage devices.

Clock speeds favor Intel. The Xeon W-3175X has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The EPYC 7402P has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.35 GHz. The Intel part also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the EPYC 7402P is locked. Power draw differs as well: the Xeon W-3175X has a TDP of 255 watts, while the EPYC 7402P is rated at 180 watts.

Sockets and production status differ. The Intel part uses Socket 3647, while the AMD part uses Socket SP3. The Xeon W-3175X is listed as end-of-life, while the EPYC 7402P is active. Release dates are about six months apart: the Xeon W-3175X launched on 2019-01-29, and the EPYC 7402P launched on 2019-08-06.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon W-3175X wins every multi-core benchmark in the database. It leads by 4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore, and by 36.8% in Geekbench multicore.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The Xeon W-3175X leads by 4% in all three Cinebench single-core tests and by 22.3% in Geekbench single-core. The Intel part's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.35 GHz contributes to this edge.

Q: Does the EPYC 7402P have any advantages in memory or expansion?

A: Yes. The EPYC 7402P has an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, versus six-channel with 128.0 GB/s for the Intel part. It also provides Gen 4 PCIe with 128 lanes, while the Intel part offers Gen 3 with 48 lanes.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Xeon W-3175X has 28 cores and 56 threads. The EPYC 7402P has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The EPYC 7402P has 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon W-3175X has 38.5 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Xeon W-3175X is listed as end-of-life. The EPYC 7402P is listed as active.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced conclusion. The Intel Xeon W-3175X is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded in the database. It wins all eight head-to-head comparisons, with advantages ranging from 4% in the Cinebench suite to 36.8% in Geekbench multicore. Its higher clock speeds, 28 cores, and unlocked multiplier make it the stronger choice for raw compute performance, particularly in workloads similar to Geekbench.

The AMD EPYC 7402P, however, offers countervailing strengths that matter in server environments. It provides 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth against 128.0 GB/s for the Intel part, a substantial gap. Its Gen 4 PCIe implementation with 128 lanes dwarfs the Intel part's Gen 3 with 48 lanes. It also has more than three times the L3 cache, at 128 MB versus 38.5 MB. These characteristics make it a compelling option for memory-intensive or I/O-heavy deployments, even if its benchmark scores are lower.

Who should pick which? From the recorded data, users prioritizing maximum single-thread and multi-thread benchmark scores, and who can accept a 255 watt TDP and an end-of-life platform, should choose the Xeon W-3175X. Users who need high memory bandwidth, extensive PCIe lane capacity for expansion, and a larger cache pool should choose the EPYC 7402P, accepting lower benchmark scores in exchange. The EPYC 7402P is also active in production, while the Intel part is not, which matters for long-term availability. The launch MSRP of the Xeon W-3175X is $2999, and the EPYC 7402P is $1280.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-3175X | AMD EPYC 7402P |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 28 | 24 |

| Threads | 56 | 48 |

| Base clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.35 GHz |

| TDP | 255 W | 180 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 3647 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Skylake-W | Rome |

| Process node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 8,000 million | 3,800 million |

| Die size | 688 mm² | 74 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 38.5 MB (shared) | 128 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Six-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 128.0 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 lanes | Gen 4, 128 lanes |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2019-01-29 | 2019-08-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $2999 | $1280 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Average benchmark score | 10369 | 9529 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 66 | 65 |