AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Xeon E-2104G Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2104G and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U are both 4-core processors that land at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more different. The Xeon is a server/workstation part with a 65W TDP and a 3.20 GHz base clock, while the Ryzen is a 15W mobile chip with a 2.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1402 vs 1415), but the distribution of wins reveals a stark split: the AMD wins three of the four direct comparisons, while the Intel wins one by a massive 34.5% margin. This is a tale of two workloads, where the interpretation of "better" depends entirely on which benchmark generation you trust.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the undisputed champion in older Cinebench R15 tests. It beats the Xeon by 24.2% in multi-core (644 vs 488) and by a staggering 52.6% in single-core (143.5 vs 68). The Ryzen also dominates in Cinebench R23 single-core, posting 886 versus the Xeon's 684, a 22.8% advantage. Looking at the broader Geekbench data available only for AMD, it scores 2411 multi-core and 804 single-core, though no direct comparison exists for the Intel part. The Ryzen's wins are consistent across every single-core test and the older multi-core test, suggesting its higher boost clock (3.80 GHz vs none listed for the Xeon) and 8 threads provide a real advantage in lightly-threaded and legacy workloads.

The Intel Xeon E-2104G wins only one head-to-head test, but it wins big. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 4847 against the Ryzen's 3603, a 34.5% margin. This is the only test where the Xeon pulls ahead, and it does so decisively. The Xeon also shows strong progression across its own benchmark suite: it goes from 488 in R15 multi-core to 2035 in R20 multi-core to 4847 in R23 multi-core, indicating that newer benchmark versions reward its architecture more heavily. In contrast, the Ryzen's R23 multi-core score of 3603 is actually lower than what its R15 score of 644 would suggest when scaled, hinting that the Ryzen's performance degrades relative to the Xeon as workloads become more demanding or memory-bandwidth-sensitive.

The use-case split is clear: the Ryzen 7 2700U is the pick for single-threaded responsiveness and legacy software, while the Xeon E-2104G is the choice for modern multi-threaded rendering. The Xeon's 8 MB of shared L3 cache (double the Ryzen's 4 MB) and 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth (vs 38.4 GB/s) likely contribute to its superiority in the R23 multi-core test, which stresses memory access patterns more heavily than R15.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U edges out the Intel Xeon E-2104G with an average benchmark score of 1415 versus 1402, a difference of roughly 0.9%. Both sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, so they are statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: Why does the Ryzen win so many single-core tests?

A: The Ryzen 7 2700U has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Xeon E-2104G lists no boost clock at all. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen scores 143.5 against the Xeon's 68, a 52.6% advantage. In R23 single-core, the Ryzen scores 886 versus 684, a 22.8% lead. The data strongly suggests that the Ryzen's ability to raise its clock speed under load is the decisive factor.

Q: How does the Xeon manage to win the R23 multi-core test by such a large margin?

A: The Xeon E-2104G scores 4847 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus the Ryzen's 3603, a 34.5% advantage. The Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus the Ryzen's 4 MB, and its memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. These architectural advantages likely explain why the Xeon pulls ahead in this modern, memory-intensive benchmark.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. However, the Ryzen 7 2700U supports 8 threads via Simultaneous Multithreading, while the Xeon E-2104G has only 4 threads. This means the Ryzen can handle more concurrent tasks, which helps in its R15 multi-core win (644 vs 488).

Q: What are the power and platform differences?

A: The Xeon E-2104G has a 65W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen 7 2700U has a 15W TDP and uses AMD Socket FP5. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not. The Xeon is also listed as end-of-life, whereas the Ryzen is active production.

Q: Is there a price difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2104G has a launch MSRP of $193. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has no launch MSRP listed in the data, so no price comparison can be made.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Xeon E-2104G delivers a 34.5% victory, scoring 4847 against the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U's 3603. This is the single largest margin in either direction, and it flips the expected narrative. The Xeon's 4 cores and 4 threads outperform the Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads in this test, which is counterintuitive given the Ryzen's thread advantage. The data suggests that the Xeon's larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) are more important than raw thread count in modern multi-threaded workloads.

The R15 multi-core test tells a different story. Here, the Ryzen wins with 644 points versus the Xeon's 488, a 24.2% margin. This older benchmark appears to reward the Ryzen's 8 threads, as the 4-thread Xeon cannot keep up. The Ryzen's per-core L2 cache is also larger at 512 KB per core versus the Xeon's 256 KB per core, which may help in this workload.

Single-core results are uniformly in favor of the Ryzen. In R15 single-core, the Ryzen scores 143.5 versus the Xeon's 68, a massive 52.6% delta. In R23 single-core, the Ryzen scores 886 versus 684, a 22.8% advantage. The R15 single-core margin is particularly striking — the Ryzen is more than double the Xeon's score. This likely reflects the Xeon's lack of a boost clock, leaving it stuck at 3.20 GHz, while the Ryzen can boost to 3.80 GHz.

The Ryzen also has Geekbench scores (2411 multi-core, 804 single-core) that are not available for the Xeon, so no direct head-to-head is possible. However, the Ryzen's single-core Geekbench score of 804 aligns with its strong Cinebench single-core performance, reinforcing the pattern.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification except core count, architecture generation, and memory type. Both have 4 cores and support DDR4 memory, but the similarities end there.

The Intel Xeon E-2104G has 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has 8 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 3.20 GHz with no boost clock listed; the Ryzen's base is 2.20 GHz with a 3.80 GHz boost. TDP is a major gap: the Xeon draws 65W, while the Ryzen is rated at just 15W. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP5.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. Memory bandwidth favors the Xeon at 42.7 GB/s versus the Ryzen's 38.4 GB/s, and ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon.

PCIe lanes also differ: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are different as well: the Xeon has UHD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen has Radeon RX Vega 10. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, while the Ryzen is a mobile part.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon E-2104G is built on Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, using a 14 nm process fabricated by Intel. Its die size is 126 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. Its die is significantly larger at 210 mm² and contains 4,950 million transistors; the Xeon's transistor count is not listed.

These architectural differences explain the benchmark outcomes. The Xeon's smaller die and larger shared L3 cache (8 MB) suggest a design optimized for sustained multi-threaded throughput with lower latency, which pays off in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Ryzen's larger die and 8 threads reflect a mobile-first design that emphasizes power efficiency (15W TDP) and boost clocks, which explains its single-core dominance.

The Xeon's generation is listed as "Xeon E (Coffee Lake)" and it was released on 2018-07-11, while the Ryzen's generation is "Ryzen 7 (Zen (Raven Ridge))" with a release date of 2017-10-25. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active. The Xeon's part number is SR3WV; the Ryzen's is YM2700C4T4MFB. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. For modern multi-threaded rendering, the Intel Xeon E-2104G is the superior processor, winning Cinebench R23 multi-core by 34.5% (4847 vs 3603). Its larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s) appear to be decisive advantages in this test. Anyone running current 3D rendering or video encoding workloads should favor the Xeon, provided they can accept its 65W TDP and lack of boost clock.

For everything else, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the better performer. It wins single-core tests by margins ranging from 22.8% to 52.6%, and it wins the legacy R15 multi-core test by 24.2%. Its 8 threads and 3.80 GHz boost clock make it more responsive in everyday tasks and older software. The Ryzen also offers a 15W TDP, making it far more power-efficient, and its active production status means it remains available.

The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 and Intel Core i5-4460, both with identical average scores (1415, 0% delta). The Xeon's closest competitors are the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 (1401, 0.1% delta) and Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE (1404, -0.2% delta). Neither processor breaks out of the 37th percentile, so both are mid-pack performers. The choice is not about overall capability but about matching the processor to the specific benchmark generation and thread count your software uses. The Ryzen wins the legacy and single-threaded battle; the Xeon wins the modern multi-core war.