AMD Ryzen 3 7330U vs Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 and AMD Ryzen 3 7330U occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores place them as statistical equals. The Xeon E5-2669 v3 posts an average benchmark score of 3959, while the Ryzen 3 7330U scores 3958, a negligible 0% delta. Both processors sit at the 57th percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rival lists are identical: the Core i7-6900K (3970, -0.3%), Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U (3971, -0.3%), and Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G (3977, -0.5%) all sit within a hair's breadth. This near-perfect equilibrium in aggregate metrics masks a dramatic divergence in how each chip achieves its results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark in the data is Cinebench R23 multi-core, and the result is a landslide. The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 scores 13690, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U scores 6230. This represents a 119.7% advantage for the Xeon — more than double the Ryzen's output. The margin is staggering, driven by the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads versus the Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads. In heavily threaded workloads that scale with core count, the Xeon's physical advantage is overwhelming.

The Ryzen counters in single-threaded performance, though the data available is indirect. The Ryzen 3 7330U scores 1514 in Geekbench single-core and 4131 in Geekbench multi-core. The Xeon has no Geekbench entries, but its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1932 tells a different story than its multi-core dominance. The Ryzen's boost clock of 4.30 GHz — the highest in this comparison — suggests its per-core speed advantage, but without identical test suites, direct single-thread cross-referencing remains incomplete. The Xeon's single-core Cinebench R15 score of 194 and R20 score of 811 show modest per-core capability, while the Ryzen's architecture is clearly tuned for lower-latency, higher-frequency single-thread execution.

In older Cinebench versions, the Xeon demonstrates consistent scaling: 1379 in R15 multi-core, 194 in R15 single-core, 5749 in R20 multi-core, 811 in R20 single-core, and 13690 in R23 multi-core. The Ryzen only provides R23 multi-core (6230) and Geekbench results. The Xeon's multi-core scores across R15, R20, and R23 show a steady progression with each version's increased workload demands, while the Ryzen's single R23 result sits at 45.5% of the Xeon's score.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 wins decisively in multi-threaded, server-style workloads. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, paired with 30 MB of shared L3 cache, make it a natural fit for virtualized environments, database processing, compile farms, or any workload that can saturate many threads simultaneously. The 119.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the clearest signal: if a task uses all cores, the Xeon is in another class. Its quad-channel memory bus delivers 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, nearly 33% more than the Ryzen's 51.2 GB/s from dual-channel DDR4. For memory-bound server tasks, this bandwidth advantage compounds the core-count lead.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7330U wins in scenarios defined by power efficiency and mobile deployment. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 120 W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is minimal. The Ryzen's 4.30 GHz boost clock is the highest in this matchup, and its 7 nm TSMC process node (versus Intel's 22 nm) delivers superior transistor density — 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, compared to 2,600 million on 356 mm². In single-threaded responsiveness, the Ryzen's architecture is built for quick bursts of activity, ideal for interactive desktop use or lightly threaded applications. Its integrated Radeon Graphics (Vega 4) provides a complete platform without a discrete GPU, an option the Xeon lacks entirely.

The Ryzen's Geekbench multi-core score of 4131, while not directly comparable to the Xeon's Cinebench results, shows respectable scaling from its 4-core design. But in any workload that exceeds 4 threads, the Xeon's raw hardware advantage is insurmountable. The Ryzen wins on portability, thermal envelope, and per-core frequency; the Xeon wins on absolute throughput, memory bandwidth, and thread capacity.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors is generational. The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. It packs 2,600 million transistors into a 356 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 7330U uses Zen 3 (Cezanne/Barcelo-R) on a 7 nm node from TSMC, with 10,700 million transistors in a 180 mm² die. The node advantage is stark: TSMC's 7 nm process allows nearly four times the transistor count in roughly half the die area.

Cache hierarchies differ fundamentally. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core (double the Xeon's per-core L2), but only 8 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's 30 MB L3 is a server-grade pool designed for large working sets and many concurrent threads, while the Ryzen's smaller L3 reflects its mobile, lower-power design. Memory support also diverges: the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 across a quad-channel bus delivering 68.3 GB/s, while the Ryzen supports only DDR4 on a dual-channel bus at 51.2 GB/s.

PCIe connectivity is similar in generation (both Gen 3) but different in scale: the Xeon provides 40 CPU lanes versus the Ryzen's 16. This reinforces the Xeon's workstation/server positioning, where multiple GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion cards demand lane headroom. The Ryzen's 16 lanes suffice for a single GPU and one or two NVMe drives in a mobile chassis. Both support ECC memory, a rare feature for the Ryzen's mobile category. The Xeon is end-of-life with part number SR1XU; the Ryzen is active with part number 100-000000944, released on 2023-01-03. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3; the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data dictates a clear split by use case. For multi-threaded, server, or workstation workloads, the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 is the only choice from this pair. Its 12-core/24-thread configuration delivers 119.7% more multi-core performance in Cinebench R23, backed by 30 MB of L3 cache and 68.3 GB/s quad-channel bandwidth. Any task that can utilize more than 8 threads will run dramatically faster on the Xeon. The 120 W TDP is a non-issue in a desktop server or workstation chassis where cooling is ample.

For mobile or low-power applications, the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U is the only viable option. Its 15 W TDP makes it operable in fanless or lightly cooled designs, and its integrated Radeon Graphics (Vega 4) eliminates the need for a discrete GPU. The 4.30 GHz boost clock provides snappy single-thread performance, and the 7 nm process ensures modern efficiency. The Ryzen's active production status and 2023 release date mean it is available for current designs, while the Xeon is end-of-life.

The average benchmark scores are a statistical tie (3959 vs 3958, 0% delta), but this is misleading. The aggregate masks that the two chips win in completely disjoint scenarios. The Xeon wins the only head-to-head benchmark by a wide margin, yet the Ryzen's efficiency and platform integration make it the better fit for its intended mobile market. Neither chip is a general-purpose replacement for the other. Choose the Xeon for raw compute density; choose the Ryzen for portability and low power. The data does not support any other conclusion.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 scores 3959, and the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U scores 3958, a 0% difference. They are statistically tied.

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

A: The Xeon E5-2669 v3 scores 13690 versus the Ryzen 3 7330U's 6230, a 119.7% advantage for the Xeon.

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

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has a TDP of 120 W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 7330U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon Graphics (Vega 4). The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, compared to 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes on the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U.

Q: Which CPU is still in active production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7330U is marked as Active, while the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 is End-of-life.