CPU Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a striking picture: AMD EPYC 7501 wins all six head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Xeon E-2388G, but the margins are surprisingly narrow given the architectural gulf between them. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC 7501 scores 2135 versus 2009 for the Xeon, a 6.3% advantage. That pattern repeats almost exactly across the entire benchmark suite, Cinebench R15 singlecore shows a 6.4% lead (301 vs 283), R20 multicore shows 6.3% (8898 vs 8374), R20 singlecore shows 6.4% (1256 vs 1181), R23 multicore shows 6.3% (21186 vs 19939), and R23 singlecore shows 6.3% (2991 vs 2814).

What makes these numbers particularly intriguing is the sheer core-count disparity. The EPYC 7501 packs 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Xeon E-2388G manages just 8 cores and 16 threads. Yet despite having four times the cores and four times the threads, the EPYC only leads by roughly 6% in every multicore test. This suggests the Xeon's substantially higher clock speeds, 3.20 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost versus the EPYC's 2.00 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost, are nearly compensating for the massive core deficit. The data implies that per-core throughput is dramatically different between these two processors, with the Intel part extracting far more work per clock from each of its eight cores.

The single-core results reinforce this interpretation. The EPYC 7501's 301 R15 single-core score edges out the Xeon's 283 by 6.4%, yet the Xeon boosts 70% higher. This is a fascinating divergence, one would expect the higher-clocked part to dominate single-threaded workloads. The fact that the EPYC still wins suggests IPC differences are substantial, with the Zen architecture in Naples delivering more instructions per clock than Rocket Lake-E despite the clock disadvantage.

# Architecture Differences

The architectural contrast between these two server processors could hardly be more pronounced. 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 node manufactured by GlobalFoundries, with 4,800 million transistors packed into a 213 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E-2388G, part of the Xeon E-2300 series, uses Intel's Rocket Lake architecture (Rocket Lake-E codename), also on a 14 nm node but fabricated by Intel itself, with a larger 276 mm² die and no transistor count listed in the data.

Cache configurations differ dramatically. The EPYC 7501 features 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon E-2388G carries 80 KB of L1 per core, the same 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 16 MB of shared L3 cache, one quarter of the AMD's pool. This four-fold L3 cache difference likely explains part of the EPYC's ability to match the Xeon in single-threaded tests despite much lower clocks.

Memory subsystems also diverge sharply. The EPYC 7501 supports DDR4 across an eight-channel memory bus, delivering 170.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Xeon E-2388G uses dual-channel DDR4, capping memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, roughly one-third of the AMD part's throughput. Both support ECC memory, a critical feature for server workloads. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the EPYC runs PCIe Gen 3, while the Xeon offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics present another differentiator. The Xeon E-2388G includes UHD Graphics P750, while the EPYC 7501 has no integrated graphics listed. The Xeon also uses a locked multiplier, whereas the EPYC 7501 is multiplier-unlocked. Sockets are incompatible: the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3, the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1200. Release dates are separated by over four years, the EPYC launched on 2017-06-28, the Xeon on 2021-09-07.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7501 has 32 cores and 64 threads, quadruple the Intel Xeon E-2388G's 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Xeon E-2388G has a 3.20 GHz base clock and 5.10 GHz boost clock, while the EPYC 7501 operates at 2.00 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The Intel part boosts 70% higher.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 7501 and Intel Xeon E-2388G support ECC memory.

Q: Which chip has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The EPYC 7501 delivers 170.6 GB/s via eight-channel DDR4, versus 51.2 GB/s for the Xeon E-2388G's dual-channel DDR4.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The EPYC 7501 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E-2388G has 16 MB shared, a four-fold difference.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2388G has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P750); the AMD EPYC 7501 has none listed.

# The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the AMD EPYC 7501 across all measured Cinebench workloads, with a consistent 6.3-6.4% advantage. However, the magnitude of that win relative to the hardware differences raises important questions. With four times the cores, four times the threads, four times the L3 cache, and over three times the memory bandwidth, one would expect a much larger multicore margin. The 6.3% multicore lead suggests the Xeon's 5.10 GHz boost clock is doing exceptional work to close the gap.

For workloads heavily dependent on single-thread performance, the Xeon E-2388G's high clock speeds make it a compelling option, though the data shows the EPYC still wins even there. The EPYC 7501's 64 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory bandwidth make it better suited for memory-intensive, highly parallel server workloads. The Xeon E-2388G's integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 4 support add versatility that the EPYC lacks.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the EPYC 7501 averages 6128, while the Xeon E-2388G averages 5805. Both sit at the 61st percentile among all CPUs. The EPYC's nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-7940X at 6147 (-0.3%), while the Xeon's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 7401P at 5814 (-0.2%). This places both firmly in the same performance tier despite their architectural differences.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7501 | Intel Xeon E-2388G |

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

| Cores | 32 | 8 |

| Threads | 64 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 95 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen | Rocket Lake |

| Codename | Naples | Rocket Lake-E |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 276 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 170.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P750 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Release Date | 2017-06-28 | 2021-09-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $539 |

# Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7501 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but the data suggests specific scenarios where each processor excels. The EPYC 7501's advantage in Cinebench multicore tests, 6.3% across R15, R20, and R23, combined with its eight-channel memory bandwidth and 64 MB L3 cache, positions it strongly for heavily threaded workloads that can utilize its 32 cores and 64 threads. Applications that scale with memory bandwidth will particularly benefit from the 170.6 GB/s throughput.

The EPYC 7501's single-core wins, despite a 2.10 GHz clock deficit, indicate superior per-clock instruction throughput. This makes it viable even for moderately threaded workloads where the Xeon's clock advantage might seem more relevant. The unlocked multiplier also opens possibilities for tuning, though specifics are not available in the data.

The Intel Xeon E-2388G, despite losing all head-to-head tests, offers attributes the EPYC lacks. Its integrated UHD Graphics P750 provides display output capability without a discrete GPU. PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 CPU lanes offers double the bandwidth of the EPYC's PCIe Gen 3 for compatible devices. The 95 W TDP is 75 W lower than the EPYC's 170 W, suggesting potentially lower cooling requirements. The 5.10 GHz boost clock, while not translating to benchmark wins in Cinebench, could benefit workloads with bursty single-thread demands that are not well-represented in these particular tests.

The Xeon E-2388G's 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with its high clocks, make it a reasonable fit for lightly threaded server workloads or virtualization environments with many small VMs. Its dual-channel memory configuration, while limited, is adequate for such uses. The EPYC 7501's 32 cores make it the clear choice for compute-intensive parallel workloads like rendering, scientific computing, and large-scale database operations, where its 64 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory bandwidth can be fully exploited.

Both processors sit at the 61st percentile globally, and their average benchmark scores place them within 5.6% of each other. The data ultimately shows two very different approaches to server processing: one maximizing core count and memory throughput, the other maximizing clock speed and per-core efficiency. The EPYC 7501 wins in the tested benchmarks, but the Xeon E-2388G's feature set, integrated graphics, PCIe Gen 4, lower TDP, makes it a distinct alternative for specific server environments.