AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target different worlds: one is an unlocked desktop part from 2017, the other a locked server/workstation chip from 2014. Benchmark data shows a clear performance gap, but the choice is not just about raw speed. The Xeon brings platform features like quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes, while the Ryzen counters with a newer architecture and significantly higher clocks. This analysis breaks down where each chip wins and who should buy which, based strictly on the provided specifications and test results.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins every benchmark category where both chips have results. In the two shared tests — Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core — the Ryzen 7 1700X is decisively ahead. It scores 1537 in multi-core versus the Xeon's 723, a 112.6% advantage. In single-core, it scores 154 versus 102, a 51% lead. The data shows no benchmark where the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 comes out ahead.

The Xeon's strength is not in these specific CPU-bound tests but in its platform capabilities. It supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, compared to the Ryzen's dual-channel 42.7 GB/s. It also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus the Ryzen's 16 lanes. For workloads that are heavily memory-bandwidth sensitive or require many expansion cards, the Xeon's platform can be more suitable, even if its core performance is lower. In this comparison, the Ryzen is the outright performance winner, while the Xeon wins on platform connectivity and memory throughput.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is significant. The Ryzen 7 1700X uses AMD's Zen architecture on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while the Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses Intel's Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process. This process difference contributes to the Ryzen's higher clock speeds: it has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to the Xeon's 2.50 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The Ryzen also has a larger die size of 213 mm² with 4,800 million transistors, whereas the Xeon has a 356 mm² die with 2,600 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ. The Ryzen 7 1700X has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 20 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support ECC memory and use DDR4, but the memory bus width differs, as noted. The Ryzen is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part with a locked multiplier. The Xeon is also end-of-life in production status, whereas the Ryzen is still active.

The Verdict

From the data, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear choice for raw processing power. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score is more than double that of the Xeon, and its single-core score is 51% higher. This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on per-thread performance and modern multi-threaded workloads where clock speed matters. The Ryzen's newer 14 nm process and higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz give it a substantial edge in all measured benchmarks.

The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is the pick only if the platform features are non-negotiable. Its quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are superior for certain server or workstation configurations. If a build requires massive memory bandwidth or many PCIe devices, the Xeon's lower core performance might be an acceptable trade-off. However, the benchmark results show no scenario where the Xeon outperforms the Ryzen in CPU computation, so for general use, the Ryzen 7 1700X is the better processor.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537, which is 112.6% higher than the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3's score of 723.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support more memory channels?

A: Yes. The Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 7 1700X supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Is the Ryzen 7 1700X's single-core performance better?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 154, which is 51% higher than the Xeon's 102.

Q: Which CPU has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X uses a 14 nm process, while the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses a larger 22 nm process.

Q: Can the Intel Xeon be overclocked?

A: No. The Xeon E5-2628 v3 has a locked multiplier, whereas the Ryzen 7 1700X has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), compared to the Ryzen 7 1700X's 16 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two processors share only two benchmark results, and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X dominates both. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 1537, while the Xeon manages 723. This represents a 112.6% delta, meaning the Ryzen is more than twice as fast in this threaded workload. This is the largest single win in the head-to-head data.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 154, and the Xeon E5-2628 v3 scores 102. The delta is 51%, a substantial margin that reflects the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.00 GHz. While the Xeon has additional benchmark results in Cinebench R20 and R23 (scoring 3015 multi-core and 425 single-core in R20; 7179 multi-core and 1013 single-core in R23), the Ryzen has no comparable scores, so these cannot be compared directly. Based on available data, the Ryzen wins all head-to-head comparisons, with the multi-core result being the most lopsided.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 1700X | Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 85 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | 2,600 million |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 356 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 96 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 512 KB | 256 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 16 MB | 20 MB |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2017-03-01 | 2014-09-07 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part Number | YD170XBCAEWOF | SR201 |

| Generation | Ryzen 7 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) | Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) |

The table above highlights the key differences. The Ryzen has higher clocks, a newer process, and an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon counters with a larger L3 cache, quad-channel memory, more PCIe lanes, and a lower TDP of 85 W versus the Ryzen's 95 W. The Ryzen 7 1700X also has a launch MSRP of $399, though no comparable launch price is available for the Xeon. These differences define the two chips' distinct roles: the Ryzen as a performance-focused desktop CPU, and the Xeon as a connectivity-rich server part.