AMD EPYC 7601 vs Intel Xeon D-2799 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-2799 has 20 cores and 40 threads. The AMD part offers a 60% core advantage and a 60% thread advantage, which directly translates into its multicore benchmark lead.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 scores 29,800 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Xeon D-2799 scores 28,723. That is a 3.7% lead for AMD, a smaller margin than the core count difference might suggest, indicating Intel's per-core efficiency narrows the gap.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon D-2799 win any of the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: No. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the AMD EPYC 7601 wins every round. The Intel chip's closest result is a 3.7% deficit in both single-core and multicore runs, so the sweep is consistent but not overwhelming.

Q: What are the process node and foundry details for each processor?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 is built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Xeon D-2799 uses Intel's 10 nm process, and the database records no transistor count or die size for it.

Q: What memory configurations do these chips support?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with ECC. The AMD EPYC 7601 uses an eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon D-2799 uses a quad-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s. AMD's memory bandwidth is 66.6% higher.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Xeon D-2799?

A: The launch MSRP is $1972. The AMD EPYC 7601 has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7601 belongs to the EPYC 7001 series, codenamed Naples, and uses the Zen architecture. It is manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The silicon integrates 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Xeon D-2799 is part of the Xeon D family, codenamed Ice Lake-D, and uses the Ice Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part, so a direct transistor density comparison is not possible.

The core layouts diverge sharply. The EPYC 7601 packs 32 cores with 64 threads, while the Xeon D-2799 packs 20 cores with 40 threads. Cache structures also differ: the AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 30 MB L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 on the Intel part (1.25 MB versus 512 KB) suggests a different cache hierarchy philosophy, while AMD's total L3 capacity is more than double that of Intel.

Clock behavior is another differentiator. The EPYC 7601 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Xeon D-2799 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Intel leads on both frequencies, which helps explain why its lower core count still comes close in multicore benchmarks. The AMD chip carries a 180 W TDP, while the Intel chip is rated at 129 W, a 51 W difference that reflects the AMD part's higher core count and older process node.

Platform integration differs as well. The EPYC 7601 uses AMD Socket SP3 and supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Xeon D-2799 uses Intel BGA 2579 and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes on the CPU. Memory channels favor AMD: eight-channel versus quad-channel, with 170.6 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The multiplier is unlocked on the EPYC 7601, whereas the Xeon D-2799 has a locked multiplier. Both chips are marked as Active in production status and target the server/workstation segment.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7601 wins in every recorded Cinebench test, but the margins are narrow. Its strengths lie in raw core count and memory bandwidth. For workloads that scale with many threads, such as heavily parallel rendering, scientific computing, or virtualization, the 32-core, 64-thread configuration with an eight-channel memory bus gives it a structural advantage. The 64 MB shared L3 cache also benefits workloads with large working sets that fit in cache. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for tuning, which is relevant in environments where the platform allows it.

The Intel Xeon D-2799 does not win a benchmark in this dataset, but its profile suggests different strengths. It runs at higher base and boost clocks, so lightly threaded tasks benefit from the 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. Its 129 W TDP is significantly lower, making it attractive for dense or power-constrained deployments where the 180 W EPYC would require more cooling and power delivery. The PCIe Gen 4 support with 32 CPU lanes provides newer interconnect bandwidth for storage or accelerator-heavy designs. The 1.25 MB L2 per core is larger than the AMD part's 512 KB, which can help latency-sensitive single-threaded code.

The practical split is this: the AMD EPYC 7601 is the choice when thread count, memory bandwidth, and cache capacity dominate the workload. The Intel Xeon D-2799 is the choice when power draw, per-core clock speed, and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity matter more. In benchmark terms, the AMD chip holds a 3.7% to 3.8% edge across the board, so the Intel part trades a small amount of performance for a 51 W lower TDP and newer I/O.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7601 | Intel Xeon D-2799 |

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

| Cores | 32 | 20 |

| Threads | 64 | 40 |

| Base clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 180 W | 129 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 2579 |

| Architecture | Zen | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Naples | Ice Lake-D |

| Process node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 213 mm² | Not recorded |

| 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 | 102.4 GB/s |

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

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | PS7601BDVIHAF | SRLCTSRM2C |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $1972 |

Both chips support DDR4 with ECC and have no integrated graphics. The AMD part has a higher core count, more cache, wider memory bus, and an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has higher clocks, lower TDP, newer PCIe generation, and a recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head dataset contains six Cinebench tests, and the AMD EPYC 7601 wins all of them. The margins are remarkably consistent: every test shows a delta of 3.7% except Cinebench R20 multicore, which shows 3.8%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC 7601 scores 3,003 against the Xeon D-2799's 2,895, a 3.7% win. The single-core R15 result is 423 versus 408, also a 3.7% win. This is notable because the Intel chip has higher base and boost clocks, yet still trails in single-threaded performance. The Zen architecture's efficiency at matching clocks appears to offset the Intel part's frequency advantage.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows the largest gap: 12,516 for AMD versus 12,063 for Intel, a 3.8% margin. Single-core R20 is 1,766 versus 1,703, again 3.7%. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 29,800 versus 28,723, and single-core R23 delivers 4,207 versus 4,055, both at 3.7%.

The consistency of the delta across different benchmark versions is striking. It suggests that the performance relationship between these two chips is stable regardless of the rendering workload's scaling characteristics. The AMD chip's 32 cores and 64 threads provide the raw throughput, while the Intel chip's 20 cores and 40 threads, combined with higher clocks, keep the gap contained to under 4%.

In the broader database rankings, the EPYC 7601 sits at the 65th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 8,619. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10510U at 8,580 (0.5% behind), the Intel Core i5-8250U at 8,577 (0.5% behind), and the Intel Core i7-8565U at 8,665 (0.5% ahead). The Xeon D-2799 sits at the 64th percentile with an average score of 8,308. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon Platinum 8268 at 8,315 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Xeon Gold 5320T at 8,316 (0.1% ahead), and the Intel Core i7-1065G7 at 8,293 (0.2% behind).

The average benchmark score gap between the two chips is 311 points, or roughly 3.7%, which mirrors the head-to-head deltas. The EPYC 7601's nearest rivals are mostly mobile-class chips, while the Xeon D-2799's nearest rivals include other server processors. This reflects their different market positions, even though the EPYC 7601 is the faster chip in this direct comparison.