AMD EPYC 7501 vs Intel Xeon D-2796TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7501 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-2796TE has 20 cores and 40 threads. The AMD part offers 12 additional cores and 24 additional threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds of each?

A: Both processors share the same 2000.00 MHz base clock. The AMD EPYC 7501 boosts to 3.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon D-2796TE reaches 3.10 GHz, giving Intel a 0.10 GHz advantage in boost.

Q: Which chip has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2796TE records an average benchmark score of 6510, compared to the AMD EPYC 7501's 6128. That places Intel about 6.2% higher in the overall aggregate.

Q: How do their percentile rankings compare?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2796TE sits at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD EPYC 7501 is at the 61st percentile. Both are near the middle of the database, with Intel marginally ahead.

Q: What memory channel configurations do they support?

A: The AMD EPYC 7501 uses an eight-channel DDR4 memory bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Xeon D-2796TE uses a quad-channel DDR4 bus with 93.9 GB/s, meaning AMD has nearly double the theoretical memory throughput.

Q: Which processor was released earlier?

A: The AMD EPYC 7501 launched on June 28, 2017. The Intel Xeon D-2796TE arrived on February 23, 2022, nearly five years later.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7501 belongs to the EPYC 7001 series, built on the Zen architecture with the codename Naples. It uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, integrating 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Xeon D-2796TE is part of the Xeon D family, based on the Ice Lake architecture with the codename Ice Lake-D, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD EPYC 7501 provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a large 64 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel Xeon D-2796TE offers 80 KB of L1 per core and a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, but only 30 MB of shared L3. This means AMD has more than double the L3 capacity, while Intel compensates with deeper L2 per core.

Memory architecture also diverges. AMD uses an eight-channel DDR4 controller with a theoretical bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. Intel uses a quad-channel DDR4 controller with 93.9 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is critical for server workloads. On PCIe, AMD provides Gen 3 lanes, while Intel supports Gen 4 with 32 lanes from the CPU only, a generational leap in interconnect speed.

Power and packaging differ as well. The AMD EPYC 7501 has a TDP of 170 W and fits the AMD Socket SP3. The Intel Xeon D-2796TE draws 118 W and is soldered to Intel BGA 2579, a surface-mounted design. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD part is marked as server/workstation, as is the Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon D-2796TE wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2268 against AMD's 2135, a 5.9% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows Intel at 320 versus 301, again a 5.9% lead. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20: Intel posts 9452 multi-core and 1334 single-core, while AMD manages 8898 and 1256, respectively. The delta is 5.9% for multi-core and 5.8% for single-core.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. Intel's multi-core score of 22507 beats AMD's 21186 by 5.9%. In single-core, Intel reaches 3177 against AMD's 2991, another 5.9% margin. Across all six tests, Intel's smallest lead is 5.8% (R20 single-core) and its largest is 5.9%, a remarkably consistent performance advantage.

That consistency is notable given the core count disparity. The AMD EPYC 7501 has 60% more cores (32 versus 20), yet it still loses every multi-core test. This indicates the Intel Ice Lake architecture delivers substantially higher per-core throughput, likely from the newer 10 nm node and faster boost clock. The single-core results reinforce this: Intel's 3.10 GHz boost clock and newer design yield 5.9% higher scores in every single-threaded workload.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. Intel's 6510 average beats AMD's 6128 by roughly 6.2%, which aligns with the head-to-head margins. The nearest rivals in the database further contextualize the results. For AMD, the closest competitor is the Intel Core i9-7940X with an average score of 6147, just 0.3% below. The AMD EPYC 7272 scores 6186, 0.9% above. For Intel, the Intel Xeon W-2191B scores 6531, 0.3% higher, and the Intel Core i9-7960X scores 6533, also 0.3% higher. These tight deltas show both chips sit in a crowded performance band.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner in raw benchmark performance: the Intel Xeon D-2796TE. It leads in every single Cinebench test, both multi-core and single-core, across R15, R20, and R23. The margins are consistent, hovering around 5.8% to 5.9%. The Intel chip also holds a higher average benchmark score (6510 versus 6128) and a slightly better percentile rank (62nd versus 61st).

However, the AMD EPYC 7501 should not be dismissed. It offers 32 cores versus 20, a 64-thread count versus 40, and a massive 64 MB L3 cache versus 30 MB. Its memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s is nearly double Intel's 93.9 GB/s, which could matter in memory-intensive workloads not captured by Cinebench. The AMD chip also uses a socketed SP3 design with an unlocked multiplier, offering flexibility that the soldered, locked Intel part lacks.

For users prioritizing raw CPU compute in Cinebench-style tasks, the Intel Xeon D-2796TE is the stronger choice. For workloads that scale with core count, cache size, or memory bandwidth, the AMD EPYC 7501 presents a compelling alternative. The recorded data shows Intel wins the benchmark suite, but the architecture differences suggest AMD may win in specific server scenarios.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7501 | Intel Xeon D-2796TE |

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

| Cores | 32 | 20 |

| Threads | 64 | 40 |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 118 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 2579 |

| Architecture | Zen (Naples) | Ice Lake (Ice Lake-D) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB shared | 30 MB shared |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 170.6 GB/s | 93.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 32 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | June 28, 2017 | February 23, 2022 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $2101 |

Both chips support DDR4 memory and ECC. Neither has integrated graphics. Both are classified as server/workstation parts and remain in active production.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2796TE wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its 5.9% lead in multi-core and single-core tests across all three Cinebench versions indicates superior per-thread performance, likely due to the newer 10 nm process and higher boost clock. For workloads that are heavily single-threaded or moderately threaded, such as database queries or light virtualization, the Intel chip should deliver better responsiveness. The lower TDP of 118 W also makes it more power-efficient per unit of performance, which is attractive for dense server deployments.

The AMD EPYC 7501 wins on architectural capacity. Its 32 cores and 64 threads provide 60% more parallel execution units, which can benefit highly threaded workloads that scale beyond 20 cores. The 64 MB L3 cache is more than double Intel's 30 MB, reducing latency for working sets that fit in cache. The eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth is a major advantage for memory-bound applications like in-memory databases, analytics, or high-performance computing simulations. The unlocked multiplier and socketed design allow for tuning and platform flexibility.

In essence, the Intel Xeon D-2796TE is the benchmark champion, but the AMD EPYC 7501 is the capacity champion. The choice depends on whether the workload favors per-core speed or aggregate resources. The recorded data shows Intel wins the Cinebench suite outright, yet the architecture profile suggests AMD could reclaim the lead in scenarios that stress memory bandwidth or large core counts. The two processors occupy different niches within the same server/workstation market, and the benchmark results reflect that split.