AMD Ryzen 5 7520C vs Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear sweep: the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons against the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3. The margin is consistent, hovering between 2.0% and 2.5% across every test iteration. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 741 against Intel's 723, a 2.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a narrower 2% lead, 104 versus 102.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The Ryzen 5 7520C posts 3089 in multicore while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 manages 3015, again a 2.5% delta. Single-core R20 sees the AMD chip at 435 against 425, a 2.4% edge. The latest Cinebench R23 results mirror the earlier tests: 7355 versus 7179 in multicore (2.5% ahead) and 1038 versus 1013 in single-core (2.5% ahead). The data indicates that despite having half the cores and threads, the Ryzen 5 7520C consistently outperforms the eight-core Xeon in every benchmark recorded.

The average benchmark score reinforces this narrative. The AMD part carries an average of 2127 across its benchmark suite, while the Intel Xeon sits at 2076. That places the Ryzen 5 7520C in the 46th percentile of all CPUs, same as the Xeon E5-2628 v3, but with a higher raw average. What makes this interesting is the context: the Ryzen 5 7520C's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1160G7 (avg 2124, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U (avg 2135, delta -0.4%), while the Xeon's rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2123 (avg 2079, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i3-9350KF (avg 2082, delta -0.3%). Both CPUs sit in the same performance tier relative to their respective peer groups, yet the AMD part edges ahead in every direct comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a straightforward split: the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins everywhere in the Cinebench suite. That includes both multicore and single-core workloads across R15, R20, and R23. The multicore victories are notable given the Xeon's structural advantages, which we will examine in the architecture section. The Ryzen 5 7520C's multicore scores are 741, 3089, and 7355, each outpacing the Xeon's 723, 3015, and 7179 respectively. The single-core results are similarly consistent, with the AMD part leading 104 to 102, 435 to 425, and 1038 to 1013.

For the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3, the recorded data shows zero wins in this comparison. That does not mean the chip is without merits, but the Cinebench metrics do not favor it. The Xeon's strengths lie elsewhere in its specification sheet: ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR4, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Those features do not translate into Cinebench performance, but they matter for specific server and workstation tasks. The data implies that if your workload is purely Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD part is the better choice. If you need error-correcting memory or massive PCIe lane counts, the Xeon's feature set becomes relevant, though no benchmark in the pack measures those capabilities.

The wins for the Ryzen 5 7520C are narrow, never exceeding 2.5%, but they are uniform. There is no workload in the recorded data where the Xeon pulls ahead. The percentile ranking for both is identical at 46, which suggests they belong to the same overall performance class, but the head-to-head numbers consistently favor the AMD chip.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is built on Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, fabricated on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The die size is 100 mm². The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses Haswell architecture with the Haswell-EP codename, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. The process node difference is stark: 6 nm versus 22 nm, which helps explain how the AMD chip achieves competitive performance with far fewer cores and lower power consumption.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 7520C has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having half the cores, the AMD part wins all benchmarks. The cache layouts also diverge. The Ryzen 5 7520C has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 cache (20 MB versus 4 MB) does not compensate for its older architecture in the recorded tests.

Memory support differs substantially. The AMD chip uses LPDDR5 with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The Xeon uses DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The AMD part has higher memory bandwidth despite fewer channels, a result of the newer memory standard. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the AMD chip. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Ryzen 5 7520C offers Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon's 40 lanes are a clear advantage for expandability.

Clock speeds tell a partial story. The Ryzen 5 7520C has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The AMD part has higher clocks in both metrics, and a substantially higher boost ceiling. The TDP figures are dramatically different: 15 watts for the AMD part versus 85 watts for the Xeon. That 70-watt difference explains the mobile versus server market segmentation.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Ryzen 5 7520C includes a Radeon 610M GPU, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The AMD part uses an AMD Socket FT6, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3. Production status shows the AMD chip as active, while the Xeon is end-of-life. Release dates are far apart: the AMD chip launched in May 2023, the Xeon in September 2014.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, double the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C's 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the AMD chip win any benchmark against the Xeon?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 2.0% to 2.5%.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C supports LPDDR5 with a dual-channel bus, while the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports DDR4 with a quad-channel bus.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C does not support ECC.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz.

Q: What are their average benchmark scores and percentiles?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has an average score of 2127 and sits in the 46th percentile. The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has an average score of 2076 and also sits in the 46th percentile.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has 4 cores, 8 threads, a base clock of 2.80 GHz, a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, a TDP of 15 watts, an AMD Socket FT6, a 6 nm process node, a 100 mm² die size, 512 KB L2 per core, 4 MB shared L3, LPDDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC support, PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes, integrated Radeon 610M graphics, mobile market segment, active production status, a May 2023 release date, and part number 100-000000773.

The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores, 16 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, a TDP of 85 watts, an Intel Socket 2011-3, a 22 nm process node, 2,600 million transistors, a 356 mm² die size, 256 KB L2 per core, 20 MB shared L3, DDR4 memory support, quad-channel memory bus, 68.3 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes, no integrated graphics, server/workstation market segment, end-of-life production status, a September 2014 release date, and part number SR201. The AMD chip also has a higher boost clock by 1.30 GHz and a higher base clock by 0.30 GHz.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation for most users: the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 in every recorded Cinebench test, despite having half the cores and threads. The margins are small, between 2.0% and 2.5%, but they are consistent across single-core and multicore workloads. The AMD chip also does this with a TDP of 15 watts versus 85 watts, making it far more energy-efficient on paper. Its higher clock speeds, newer 6 nm process, and faster memory bandwidth all contribute to the performance advantage.

The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 retains relevance only in specific scenarios. Its ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR4, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are features the AMD chip lacks. For server or workstation environments that require error-correcting memory or extensive PCIe expansion, the Xeon's specification sheet offers capabilities that the Ryzen 5 7520C cannot match. However, the benchmark data shows no performance win for the Xeon in any Cinebench test.

The Ryzen 5 7520C is the better choice for general computing and rendering workloads based on the recorded metrics. Its active production status and 2023 release date also mean it is a current product, while the Xeon is end-of-life. The average benchmark scores, 2127 versus 2076, reinforce the AMD advantage. The percentile rankings are identical at 46, but the head-to-head numbers all favor the AMD part. For anyone choosing between these two solely on benchmark performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is the pick. For those who need ECC or massive PCIe lane counts, the Xeon's feature set is the only reason to consider it.