AMD EPYC 7501 vs Intel Xeon W-2191B 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 W-2191B has 18 cores and 36 threads. The AMD part offers 14 more cores and 28 more threads.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B wins every single-core test in the database. It scores 339 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 301 for the EPYC 7501, and 3372 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 2991. That is an 11.2% lead in R15 and an 11.3% lead in R23.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B boosts to 4.30 GHz, whereas the AMD EPYC 7501 tops out at 3.00 GHz. The Intel part also has a higher base clock at 2.30 GHz compared to 2.00 GHz.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: Both support DDR4 memory and ECC. The AMD EPYC 7501 uses an eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B uses a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD EPYC 7501 is listed as active, while the Intel Xeon W-2191B is marked as end-of-life.

Q: How close are their average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B has an average benchmark score of 6531, which places it at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs. The AMD EPYC 7501 averages 6128, sitting at the 61st percentile. The delta is roughly 6.6% in favor of the Intel chip.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7501 is built on the Zen architecture and carries the codename Naples. It belongs to the EPYC 7001 series and is fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. The die size is 213 mm² and the chip packs 4,800 million transistors. The Intel Xeon W-2191B uses the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-W, and is manufactured by Intel on the same 14 nm node. Its die is substantially larger at 484 mm², though the database does not list a transistor count for it.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The EPYC 7501 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 64 MB shared L3 pool. The Xeon W-2191B has 64 KB of L1 per core, a larger 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 24.75 MB of shared L3. The EPYC's 64 MB L3 gives it a clear capacity advantage for data-heavy workloads, while the Intel part compensates with twice as much L2 per core.

Memory architecture also diverges. The EPYC 7501 supports eight-channel DDR4 with 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Xeon W-2191B is limited to quad-channel DDR4 at 85.3 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is expected for server and workstation parts. PCIe support is Gen 3 on both, but the Intel SKU specifies 48 lanes from the CPU.

Socket compatibility separates the two entirely. The EPYC 7501 uses AMD Socket SP3, while the Xeon W-2191B uses Intel Socket 2066. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip does not. The Xeon W-2191B launched later, with a release date of December 2017 versus June 2017 for the EPYC 7501.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head Cinebench results, and Intel wins all six. Across every test, the margin is remarkably consistent, hovering around 11.3%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon W-2191B scores 2407 against 2135 for the EPYC 7501, a delta of -11.3% from the AMD chip's perspective. The single-core R15 test shows 339 versus 301, also an 11.2% gap.

Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern. The Intel part scores 10032 in multicore versus 8898 for the EPYC 7501, and 1416 in single-core versus 1256. Both deltas sit at -11.3%. Cinebench R23 delivers the same story: the Xeon W-2191B scores 23887 multicore and 3372 single-core, while the EPYC 7501 manages 21186 and 2991 respectively. Again, the delta is -11.3%.

It is notable that the EPYC 7501, despite having 32 cores versus 18, does not take a single multicore win. The Xeon W-2191B's higher clocks, 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, appear to overcome the core-count deficit in these heavily threaded Cinebench workloads. The Intel chip also holds a Geekbench result in the database, scoring 9614 multicore and 1182 single-core; the EPYC 7501 has no recorded Geekbench score.

Looking at overall standings, the Xeon W-2191B sits at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs with an average score of 6531. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-7960X at 6533 (a 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon D-2796TE at 6510 (0.3% behind). The EPYC 7501, at the 61st percentile with 6128, is closely matched with the Intel Core i9-7940X at 6147 (-0.3%), the AMD EPYC 7272 at 6186 (-0.9%), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X at 6231 (-1.7%).

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every major specification. Core count is the headline: 32 cores and 64 threads for the EPYC 7501 versus 18 cores and 36 threads for the Xeon W-2191B. Clock speeds favor Intel, with a base of 2.30 GHz and boost of 4.30 GHz against 2.00 GHz and 3.00 GHz. TDP differs as well, with the AMD part rated at 170 watts and the Intel part at 140 watts.

Cache geometry is different in both size and organization. The EPYC 7501 has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The Xeon W-2191B has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 24.75 MB shared L3. The AMD chip offers 64 MB of L3, more than 2.5 times the Intel chip's 24.75 MB, but the Intel chip doubles the per-core L2.

Memory channels and bandwidth are not equal. The EPYC 7501 supports eight channels with 170.6 GB/s, while the Xeon W-2191B supports four channels with 85.3 GB/s. Both use DDR4 and support ECC. PCIe is Gen 3 on both, with the Intel part listing 48 CPU lanes.

Socket and platform are incompatible: SP3 for AMD, Socket 2066 for Intel. The EPYC 7501 has an unlocked multiplier; the Xeon W-2191B is locked. Manufacturing details also differ: both are 14 nm, but the EPYC 7501 is built by GlobalFoundries with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die, while the Xeon W-2191B is built by Intel on a 484 mm² die with no transistor count listed. The EPYC 7501 remains active in production; the Xeon W-2191B is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-2191B wins every benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison. Its single-core dominance is clear: 339 versus 301 in R15, 1416 versus 1256 in R20, and 3372 versus 2991 in R23. For workloads that depend on per-thread speed, such as lightly threaded design tools, legacy applications, or tasks where clock frequency matters more than core count, the Xeon W-2191B is the better choice. Its 4.30 GHz boost clock gives it a decisive edge in these scenarios.

The Xeon W-2191B also wins the multicore Cinebench tests, which is the more surprising result given the core-count gap. Scoring 2407 in R15, 10032 in R20, and 23887 in R23, it outperforms the 32-core EPYC 7501 in all three. The database shows a consistent 11.3% lead across the board, indicating that the Intel chip's higher clock speeds and per-core efficiency outweigh the AMD part's raw core count in these render workloads.

The AMD EPYC 7501, despite losing every head-to-head test, has structural advantages that matter outside Cinebench. Its eight-channel memory bus delivers 170.6 GB/s, exactly double the 85.3 GB/s of the Intel part. For memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications like large database operations, scientific computing, or virtualization with many tenants, the EPYC 7501 has a clear platform-level edge. Its 64 MB of shared L3, more than two and a half times the Intel chip's 24.75 MB, also helps workloads with large working sets.

The EPYC 7501 also has the core-count advantage for massively parallel throughput. With 32 cores and 64 threads, it offers 14 more cores and 28 more threads than the Xeon W-2191B. Applications that scale almost linearly with core count, such as certain rendering farms, compilation clusters, or heavily threaded server workloads, can use that extra parallelism even if Cinebench does not reflect it.

Power characteristics differentiate the two as well. The EPYC 7501 is rated at 170 watts TDP versus 140 watts for the Xeon W-2191B, so the Intel part draws less power under its rated envelope. However, the EPYC 7501 delivers its 32 cores within that 170-watt limit, which speaks to per-core efficiency in a dense server context.

Production status is another separator. The EPYC 7501 is listed as active, making it available for new system builds. The Xeon W-2191B is end-of-life, which limits its suitability for new deployments despite its benchmark wins. For buyers planning long-term platform investments, the active AMD part offers a more straightforward path to procurement and future support.

The data suggests a clear performance winner in the Intel Xeon W-2191B across the recorded Cinebench suite, but the AMD EPYC 7501 offers architectural strengths, including memory bandwidth, L3 capacity, core count, and active production status, that suit different workload profiles. The right choice depends on whether the priority is raw benchmark scores or platform-level capabilities for memory-heavy and high-core-count tasks.