AMD Ryzen 7 1800X vs Intel Xeon W-2133 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2133 edges out the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X by a narrow margin, with an average benchmark score of 3087 versus 3068. This 0.6% difference places both chips at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The results are split across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 1800X wins decisively with a score of 1618 against the Xeon's 1075, a 33.6% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon W-2133 reverses the outcome, scoring 10676 versus 8891 for the Ryzen, a 20.1% lead.

Q: Which processor has the stronger single-core performance?

A: The Xeon W-2133 dominates in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 1507 against the Ryzen's 939, a massive 60.5% advantage. In the older Cinebench R15 single-core test, the Ryzen leads narrowly with 160.8 versus 151, a 6.1% margin.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-2133 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen also features a higher boost clock at 4.00 GHz compared to the Xeon's 3.90 GHz, though both share the same 3.60 GHz base clock.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W-2133 and the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X support ECC memory. They differ in memory channel configuration, with the Xeon supporting quad-channel DDR4 and the Ryzen supporting dual-channel DDR4.

Q: What are the production statuses and market segments?

A: The Xeon W-2133 is end-of-life and targets the server/workstation segment, while the Ryzen 7 1800X remains active and is positioned for desktop use. Both processors launched in 2017, with the Ryzen releasing on March 1st and the Xeon on August 28th.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X claims victory in the older Cinebench R15 benchmarks, winning both multi-core and single-core tests. Its 8-core/16-thread configuration provides a substantial advantage in R15 multi-core, where it outperforms the Xeon by 33.6%. This suggests that applications optimized for the older Cinebench engine, which may scale more directly with raw core counts, will favor the Ryzen. The Ryzen's 160.8 single-core score in R15 also edges out the Xeon's 151, a modest 6.1% lead.

The Intel Xeon W-2133, by contrast, dominates the newer Cinebench R23 workloads. Its single-core score of 1507 is 60.5% higher than the Ryzen's 939, and its multi-core score of 10676 is 20.1% higher. This indicates that the Xeon's Skylake architecture benefits significantly from the updated Cinebench engine, which likely leverages newer instruction sets and better memory subsystem utilization. The Xeon's quad-channel memory bus, providing 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth versus the Ryzen's 42.7 GB/s, may also contribute to its R23 multi-core advantage.

For users running modern rendering workloads represented by Cinebench R23, the Xeon W-2133 is the clear choice. Conversely, those relying on legacy Cinebench R15 benchmarks will find the Ryzen 7 1800X superior. The split decision (2 wins each) highlights that workload generation matters more than raw specifications.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W-2133 is built on the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-W codename, using a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel. Its die size is substantial at 484 mm², reflecting the complexity of the server/workstation-oriented design. The Ryzen 7 1800X employs AMD's Zen architecture, also on a 14 nm node, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries with a much smaller die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly between the two. The Xeon allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 8.25 MB L3 cache. The Ryzen provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 16 MB shared L3 cache. This means the Ryzen has nearly double the total L3 cache, which can benefit certain multi-threaded workloads, while the Xeon's larger per-core L2 may favor single-thread performance.

Memory architecture is another key divergence. The Xeon W-2133 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a peak bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the Ryzen 7 1800X uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, compared to just 16 lanes on the Ryzen. This makes the Xeon substantially more capable for workstation expansion, such as multiple GPUs or high-speed storage controllers.

The Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 2066 (LGA2066), designed for high-end desktop and workstation platforms, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, a mainstream desktop socket. The Xeon's multiplier is locked, whereas the Ryzen 7 1800X has an unlocked multiplier, enabling user overclocking. The Ryzen also has a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.90 GHz) despite the same base clock.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2133 | AMD Ryzen 7 1800X |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake-W | Zen (Summit Ridge) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 213 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 4,800 million |

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

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8.25 MB (shared) | 16 MB |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 48 (Gen 3) | 16 (Gen 3) |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2017-08-28 | 2017-03-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $617 | $499 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR3LL | YD180XBCAEWOF |

The Xeon carries a higher 140 W TDP, reflecting its workstation orientation and quad-channel memory controller, while the Ryzen operates at a more modest 95 W. The Ryzen's 8 cores provide a 33% core count advantage, but the Xeon's higher per-core L2 cache and memory bandwidth compensate in certain workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results present a fascinating split across four Cinebench tests, with each processor winning two. The largest single margin is the Xeon's 60.5% victory in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 1507 against the Ryzen's 939. This is an extraordinary gap, suggesting that the Xeon's Skylake core has significantly higher instructions-per-clock in this workload, despite the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.90 GHz.

The second-largest margin is the Ryzen's 33.6% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core, with a score of 1618 versus 1075. This 543-point difference is likely attributable to the Ryzen's 8 cores versus the Xeon's 6, as the older R15 engine appears to scale almost linearly with core count.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon wins by 20.1%, scoring 10676 against 8891. This 1,785-point gap is remarkable given the Ryzen's core advantage. The Xeon's quad-channel memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s) may be the decisive factor here, as R23's renderer may be memory-bandwidth sensitive. The Xeon's 8.25 MB shared L3 cache, while smaller than the Ryzen's 16 MB, is paired with 1 MB L2 per core, which could reduce memory pressure in certain access patterns.

The closest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen wins by just 6.1%, scoring 160.8 against 151. This 9.8-point difference is within normal run-to-run variance for such benchmarks, suggesting near-parity in single-threaded performance for older workloads.

The win distribution (2-2) and the alternating nature of the results indicate that neither processor is universally superior. The Xeon's wins come with larger margins (60.5% and 20.1%) than the Ryzen's (33.6% and 6.1%), suggesting that the Xeon has a higher performance ceiling in favorable workloads. However, the Ryzen's R15 multi-core dominance shows that core count still matters significantly for legacy applications. The average benchmark scores (3087 for Xeon, 3068 for Ryzen) and identical 52nd percentile ranking reinforce that these are closely matched processors, with workload-specific optimization determining the winner.