AMD EPYC 7451 vs Intel Xeon W-2170B Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2170B and AMD EPYC 7451 are two server/workstation processors that land nearly identically in aggregate benchmark scores, yet they achieve that parity through fundamentally different designs. The data shows the Xeon W-2170B edges out the EPYC 7451 in every single Cinebench test, but the margins are consistently slim, ranging from 1.2% to 1.4%. The EPYC 7451 counters with a significantly higher core count, wider memory bus, and double the memory bandwidth, making it the choice for memory-intensive and highly parallel workloads, while the Xeon W-2170B takes the lead for lightly threaded tasks and applications that favor higher clock speeds.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate a near-total dead heat in average performance, with the Intel Xeon W-2170B scoring 5985 and the AMD EPYC 7451 scoring 5915, a difference of just 1.2%. Both processors sit at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. However, the tie in average score masks distinct strengths. The Xeon W-2170B wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, including both multi-core and single-core variants. In multi-core tests, the lead is a consistent 1.2%, reflecting its higher 4.30 GHz boost clock compared to the EPYC 7451's 3.20 GHz. In single-core tests, the Xeon maintains a similar edge, winning by 1.4% in Cinebench R15 and 1.2% in R20 and R23.

The AMD EPYC 7451, despite losing every benchmark, offers a compelling alternative based on its architecture. With 24 cores and 48 threads versus the Xeon's 14 cores and 28 threads, the EPYC provides 71% more cores and threads. This raw parallelism, combined with eight-channel memory support and 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth, makes it the superior choice for workloads that scale across many cores and demand high memory throughput, such as virtualization, large database operations, and memory-bandwidth-bound scientific computing. The Xeon W-2170B, with its quad-channel memory and higher clock speeds, is better suited for workloads with lower thread counts that are sensitive to per-core performance, like certain CAD applications or general workstation tasks. The data shows the Xeon W-2170B is the pick for single-threaded performance, while the EPYC 7451 is the pick for maximum core and memory scalability.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon W-2170B is built on the Skylake-W architecture, manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 484 mm². It features 14 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon uses an Intel Socket 2066 and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. It provides PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU, and its production status is end-of-life.

The AMD EPYC 7451, part of the EPYC 7001 series, uses the Zen architecture under the codename Naples. It is also built on a 14 nm process but by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. The EPYC packs 24 cores and 48 threads, running at a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Its cache layout differs significantly: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC uses an AMD Socket SP3 and supports eight-channel DDR4 memory, doubling the bandwidth to 170.6 GB/s. It also supports PCIe Gen 3, but the lane count is not specified in the data. The EPYC 7451 remains in active production and features an unlocked multiplier, unlike the locked Xeon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7451 has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2170B has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2170B boosts to 4.30 GHz, while the AMD EPYC 7451 boosts to 3.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor offers more memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD EPYC 7451 provides 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth via eight-channel memory, exactly double the 85.3 GB/s of the quad-channel Intel Xeon W-2170B.

Q: Did the AMD EPYC 7451 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The Intel Xeon W-2170B won all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with the EPYC 7451 finishing with zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2170B has an average benchmark score of 5985, while the AMD EPYC 7451 scores 5915, a margin of 1.2% in favor of Intel.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Xeon W-2170B is end-of-life, while the AMD EPYC 7451 is listed as active.

Specification Differences

The specifications where the two processors differ are extensive, reflecting their divergent target markets. The core count differs significantly: the EPYC 7451 has 24 cores versus the Xeon's 14, and 48 threads versus 28. Clock speeds also differ substantially, with the Xeon having a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, and a notably higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz. The TDP reflects the EPYC's larger core count, rated at 180 W compared to the Xeon's 140 W.

The physical platforms are entirely different, with the Xeon using Intel Socket 2066 and the EPYC using AMD Socket SP3. The cache configurations vary: the Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, while the EPYC has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core. The shared L3 cache is a major differentiator, with the EPYC offering 64 MB versus the Xeon's 19.25 MB. Memory channels and bandwidth also differ, with the EPYC supporting eight channels and 170.6 GB/s versus the Xeon's four channels and 85.3 GB/s. The PCIe implementation lists 48 lanes for the Xeon, while the EPYC's lane count is not specified. The process nodes are the same at 14 nm, but the foundries differ (Intel for the Xeon, GlobalFoundries for the EPYC), and the die sizes are 484 mm² for the Xeon and 213 mm² for the EPYC, with the EPYC listing 4,800 million transistors. The EPYC has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a remarkably consistent pattern across all tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon W-2170B scores 2085 against the EPYC 7451's 2061, a 1.2% margin. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap, with the Xeon at 294 and the EPYC at 290, a 1.4% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core results are 8691 for the Xeon and 8589 for the EPYC, again a 1.2% lead. The single-core R20 test shows 1226 versus 1212, another 1.2% margin. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core scores are 20693 for the Xeon and 20450 for the EPYC, and the single-core scores are 2921 versus 2887, both maintaining the consistent 1.2% delta.

These results are notable for their uniformity. Despite the EPYC having 71% more cores, the Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz appears to compensate in the multi-core tests, which are typically sensitive to both core count and clock speed. The single-core results reinforce the Xeon's clock advantage, as it wins by 1.4% in R15 and 1.2% in both R20 and R23. The data shows that the Xeon W-2170B holds a consistent, albeit modest, performance lead across all tested workloads. The EPYC 7451 never closes the gap, but it also never falls far behind, keeping every loss within 1.4%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2170B wins in all measured performance benchmarks, but its victories are narrow. Its wins are most pronounced in single-threaded tests, where it leads by up to 1.4% in Cinebench R15. This makes it the better choice for workloads that rely on high clock speeds and per-core performance, such as legacy applications, certain simulation tools, and general workstation tasks that are not fully parallelized. The Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz is the clear driver of these wins. It also offers 48 PCIe lanes, which could be advantageous for configurations requiring multiple high-speed devices directly connected to the CPU.

The AMD EPYC 7451 loses every benchmark but wins in architectural capacity. Its 24 cores and 48 threads provide substantially more parallel processing capability than the Xeon's 14 cores and 28 threads. This makes it the better fit for heavily threaded workloads like server virtualization, where more cores allow more concurrent virtual machines. The EPYC's eight-channel memory system, delivering 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth, is double that of the Xeon's quad-channel 85.3 GB/s, making it the superior choice for memory-bandwidth-bound tasks such as large-scale data analytics, in-memory databases, and high-performance computing workloads that stream large datasets. The EPYC also has a larger 64 MB shared L3 cache, which can improve performance for workloads with large working sets. While the benchmark data shows the Xeon winning in Cinebench, the EPYC's design strengths suggest it wins in scenarios that maximize core count and memory throughput. The EPYC's active production status and unlocked multiplier also offer long-term availability and flexibility that the end-of-life, locked Xeon cannot match.