AMD Ryzen 3 7330U vs Intel Xeon E-2278G Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2278G is the clear winner in every recorded benchmark comparison, but the nature of those wins varies sharply by workload type. In multi-core rendering, the Intel part dominates: its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 13,502 is 116.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U’s 6,230. That is more than double the throughput, a gap that speaks to raw thread-count advantages in heavily parallel tasks.

The Geekbench multi-core result tells a similar story, though with a smaller margin. The Xeon scores 7,354 versus 4,131 for the Ryzen, a 78% advantage. This confirms that the Intel part’s 8 cores and 16 threads provide a substantial scaling benefit over the AMD’s 4 cores and 8 threads in multi-threaded integer and floating-point workloads.

Single-core performance is where the gap narrows dramatically. The Xeon’s Geekbench single-core score of 1,633 beats the Ryzen’s 1,514 by only 7.9%. This is a modest edge, and it suggests that the AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, with its higher per-core IPC, nearly offsets the Intel’s much higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.30 GHz in lightly threaded tasks. For everyday applications that rely on one or two threads, the two chips are effectively close, with the Intel part holding a slight but measurable lead.

The recorded data also includes Cinebench R15 and R20 scores for the Xeon (1,360 multi-core and 192 single-core in R15; 5,670 multi-core and 800 single-core in R20), but no corresponding AMD results are available in the database. Those numbers place the Xeon’s single-core performance in line with its modern rivals, while its multi-core R20 result shows strong scaling beyond its R15 score.

In short, the Xeon E-2278G wins everywhere, but its biggest victories come in multi-threaded rendering and synthetic multi-core loads. The Ryzen 3 7330U is competitive only in single-core terms, where it trails by less than 8%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras and target different market segments. The Intel Xeon E-2278G belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series, uses Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture (codename Coffee Lake-S WS), and is built on Intel’s 14 nm process node. It is a server/workstation part with 8 cores and 16 threads, base clock of 3.40 GHz, and boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its thermal design power is 95 watts, reflecting a desktop-class power envelope.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7330U is a mobile processor in AMD’s 7000 series, based on Zen 3 architecture with the codename Barcelo-R. It uses TSMC’s 7 nm process node, which is denser than Intel’s 14 nm node. The chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its TDP is 15 watts, a fraction of the Intel part’s power draw, which aligns with its mobile market segment.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core, while the Ryzen has 512 KB per core, doubling the per-core L2 capacity. For L3, the Xeon provides 16 MB shared, whereas the Ryzen offers 8 MB shared. The Ryzen’s larger L2 per core partially compensates for its smaller L3, but the Intel chip has twice the total last-level cache.

Transistor counts and die sizes are notable. The Ryzen packs 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, while the Xeon’s transistor count is not recorded in the database, but its die size is also 180 mm². The 7 nm process allows AMD to fit far more transistors in the same area, which is a key reason Zen 3 achieves high IPC despite lower clock speeds.

Memory support is identical in type: both use DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus. However, the Ryzen has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon. Both support ECC memory, a feature typically reserved for workstation and server parts, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ: the Xeon includes Intel HD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen has AMD Radeon Graphics (Vega 4). Neither is a gaming-class GPU, but they are present for basic display output.

The socket and production status highlight their different lifecycles. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, is marked end-of-life, and was released in May 2019. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, is still active in production, and launched in January 2023. The Xeon’s launch MSRP was $494; the Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, the Intel Xeon E-2278G is the superior processor in every measured category. It wins all three head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 7.9% in Geekbench single-core to 116.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The data shows no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U outperforms the Intel part.

However, the verdict depends on context. The Xeon is a desktop/workstation chip with a 95-watt TDP, designed for sustained multi-threaded workloads such as rendering, compilation, and server tasks. The Ryzen is a 15-watt mobile chip designed for battery-powered laptops and thin-and-light systems. The benchmark results reflect this: the Xeon’s 8-core advantage is massive in multi-threaded tests, but its single-core lead is only 7.9%, meaning the Ryzen’s Zen 3 IPC closes most of the gap in lightly threaded work.

For users who need maximum multi-core performance in a stationary system, the Xeon E-2278G is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 score of 13,502 is more than double the Ryzen’s, and its Geekbench multi-core score of 7,354 is 78% higher. These are decisive margins for rendering or batch processing.

For users who prioritize portability and power efficiency, the Ryzen 3 7330U is the only viable option between the two, because the Xeon’s 95-watt TDP and desktop socket preclude mobile use. The Ryzen’s 15-watt TDP and Socket FP6 are meant for laptops, and its single-core performance is within 7.9% of the Xeon, which is respectable given the power disparity.

The database places both processors at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 4,052 for the Xeon and 3,958 for the Ryzen. This indicates that in aggregate, the two chips are near peers in the overall performance distribution, despite the Xeon’s dominance in the specific tests recorded. The Xeon’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X (average score 4,073, delta -0.5%) and Intel Core i5-12500TE (4,083, delta -0.8%), while the Ryzen’s nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 (3,959, delta 0%) and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U (3,971, delta -0.3%). These similarities suggest that both chips occupy the same general performance tier, but the Xeon’s multi-core ceiling is far higher.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G scores 1,633 in Geekbench single-core, which is 7.9% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U’s 1,514.

Q: How much faster is the Xeon in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon E-2278G scores 13,502, while the Ryzen 3 7330U scores 6,230. That is a 116.7% higher score for the Intel part, meaning it is more than double the Ryzen’s multi-core performance.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2278G and the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U support ECC memory, according to the database.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G has a TDP of 95 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U has a TDP of 15 watts. The Ryzen uses far less power, consistent with its mobile design.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon has double the core and thread count.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2278G is from the Xeon E-2200 series (Coffee Lake, released May 2019), while the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U is from the 7000 series (Zen 3 Barcelo-R, released January 2023). The Ryzen is a newer design on a 7 nm process versus Intel’s 14 nm.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data records three benchmark comparisons, and the Intel Xeon E-2278G wins all of them. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 13,502 against the Ryzen’s 6,230. That is a delta of 116.7%, which is a doubling of performance. This test is heavily multi-threaded, so the Xeon’s 8 cores versus 4 cores and its 16 threads versus 8 threads provide a direct scaling advantage. The Ryzen’s 15-watt TDP cannot sustain the same throughput as the Xeon’s 95-watt envelope under sustained load.

In Geekbench multi-core, the Xeon scores 7,354 versus 4,131, a 78% advantage. This test includes a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory workloads, and the Xeon’s higher core count again drives the result. The Ryzen’s per-core performance is competitive, but it only has half the cores, so the aggregate score falls well behind.

The closest contest is Geekbench single-core. The Xeon scores 1,633, and the Ryzen scores 1,514, for a 7.9% delta. This is the only test where the Ryzen comes within single digits of the Intel part. The Ryzen’s Zen 3 architecture, with its higher instructions-per-clock, nearly offsets the Xeon’s 5.00 GHz boost clock versus 4.30 GHz. In real-world lightly threaded tasks, such as web browsing or office applications, the difference would be barely perceptible.

The database also includes additional Cinebench scores for the Xeon only: R15 multi-core 1,360 and single-core 192, and R20 multi-core 5,670 and single-core 800. These are not compared directly to the Ryzen because no corresponding AMD scores are recorded, but they show the Xeon’s scaling pattern: from R15 to R20, the multi-core score rises by a factor of about four, while single-core rises by a similar proportion. This is consistent with a well-balanced design across benchmark generations.

Overall, the head-to-head results show that the Xeon E-2278G is the stronger chip in every measured test, with the multi-core gap being the deciding factor. The Ryzen 3 7330U is not a competitor in multi-threaded workloads, but it holds its own in single-core tests, which is notable given its dramatically lower power consumption.