AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U are two very different processors that happen to land at the same percentile ranking. Both sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—1401 for the Intel part and 1415 for the AMD part. This surface-level parity, however, masks a deep divergence in architecture, market segment, and workload behavior. The data reveals two chips that achieve similar overall results through entirely different means, and the head-to-head benchmark results show that the "winner" depends heavily on which benchmark generation is used.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding in the head-to-head data is the complete reversal of fortune between Cinebench R15 and Cinebench R23. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins decisively with a score of 644 against the Intel Xeon's 488, a 24.2% advantage. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: the AMD part scores 143.5 versus the Intel's 68, a 52.6% deficit for the Xeon. These are not marginal differences—the Ryzen 7 2700U nearly doubles the Xeon's single-core R15 performance.

Yet the Cinebench R23 results tell the opposite story. In R23 multi-core, the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 roars back with a score of 4845 against the AMD's 3603, winning by 34.5%. The R23 single-core test still favors AMD (886 vs. 684, a 22.8% lead), but the multi-core swing is enormous. This suggests that the two processors scale very differently with workload intensity and duration. The Xeon's 80W TDP and desktop/server heritage may allow it to sustain performance under the newer, more demanding R23 workload, while the Ryzen 7 2700U's 15W mobile design might throttle or hit power limits during longer multi-core bursts.

Interpreting these numbers requires understanding what each benchmark generation measures. Cinebench R15 is an older workload, while R23 is more recent and typically more demanding on memory bandwidth and sustained multi-threaded execution. The Xeon's 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus the Ryzen's 4 MB could be a factor in the R23 multi-core test, where larger working sets may benefit from the extra cache. The Ryzen's 8 threads give it a theoretical advantage in thread-count-sensitive tests like R15, but the Xeon's higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs. 2.20 GHz) and boost clock (3.50 GHz vs. 3.80 GHz) tell a more nuanced story—the AMD part has a higher boost, but the Intel part starts from a much higher base.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two chips is vast. The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses the Skylake architecture (Skylake-DT) built on Intel's 14 nm process with 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses the Zen architecture (Raven Ridge) also on 14 nm, but from GlobalFoundries, with 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The AMD chip packs nearly three times the transistor count and a substantially larger die, partly because it integrates Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics—the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all.

Core and thread counts differ significantly: the Xeon offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 2700U offers 4 cores and 8 threads via simultaneous multithreading. Cache hierarchies are also distinct. 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. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on the AMD part suggest it can feed its execution units more effectively per core, but the Xeon's double-sized L3 cache provides a bigger shared pool for multi-core workloads.

Memory support further separates them. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel mode with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Ryzen 7 2700U supports only DDR4 also in dual-channel but with a slightly higher 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not. This alone marks the Xeon as a server/workstation part, and it is reflected in its PCIe configuration: the Xeon provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides only 8. The Ryzen's mobile socket (FP5) and 15W TDP versus the Xeon's 80W TDP and LGA 1151 socket illustrate the fundamental design goals—the AMD part targets thin-and-light laptops, while the Intel part targets compact servers and workstations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U scores 886 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 22.8% higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5's 684. This advantage persists across both R15 and R23 single-core tests.

Q: Why does the Intel Xeon win the Cinebench R23 multi-core test despite having fewer threads?

A: The Xeon E3-1220 v5 scores 4845 in R23 multi-core versus the Ryzen 7 2700U's 3603, a 34.5% lead. Despite having only 4 threads versus the Ryzen's 8, the Xeon's higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs. 2.20 GHz), larger 8 MB L3 cache, and 80W TDP likely allow it to sustain performance better in this newer, more demanding workload.

Q: Do both processors have the same overall benchmark percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also close: 1401 for the Xeon and 1415 for the Ryzen.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U does not, which aligns with its mobile market segment where ECC is rarely required.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has a TDP of 80W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a TDP of 15W. This 65W gap reflects the Xeon's server/workstation positioning versus the Ryzen's mobile design.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 10). The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 | AMD Ryzen 7 2700U |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 80W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake-DT | Raven Ridge |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | 16 (Gen 3) | 8 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon RX Vega 10 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2017-10-25 |

| Launch MSRP | $203 | None |

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different buyers. The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the stronger choice for sustained multi-core workloads as measured by Cinebench R23, where it leads by 34.5%. Its ECC memory support, 16 PCIe lanes, and server/workstation market segment make it suitable for compact servers or workstation builds where data integrity and expansion capability matter more than power efficiency. The $203 launch MSRP, while no longer current, positions it as a budget server part. However, it is end-of-life, and its 4-thread limit and weaker single-core performance (22.8% behind in R23 single-core) are notable drawbacks.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the better choice for mobile computing and integrated-graphics scenarios. Its 15W TDP is dramatically lower than the Xeon's 80W, making it suitable for laptops. It wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head benchmarks, including both R15 tests and R23 single-core. Its 8 threads provide better multi-threading in older workloads, and the integrated Radeon RX Vega 10 GPU eliminates the need for a discrete graphics card. The trade-offs are a smaller L3 cache, no ECC support, and a significant deficit in the demanding R23 multi-core test. For a mobile user prioritizing single-core responsiveness and power efficiency, the Ryzen 7 2700U is the data-backed choice.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins exclusively in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, and it wins by a wide margin. This indicates a strength in modern, heavily threaded workloads that can utilize its larger cache and sustained power delivery. The Xeon's specification sheet also gives it wins in ECC memory support, PCIe lane count (16 vs. 8), and memory type flexibility (DDR3 and DDR4). Its 80W TDP, while high, suggests it can maintain clock speeds under load without the power constraints of a mobile chip.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins in three of the four head-to-head benchmarks, including both single-core tests and the R15 multi-core test. Its 8 threads give it a clear advantage in workloads that scale with thread count, and its higher boost clock (3.80 GHz vs. 3.50 GHz) helps in bursty single-threaded tasks. The integrated Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics is a decisive win for any system requiring display output without a discrete GPU. Its 15W TDP and active production status make it a viable choice for current mobile designs, while the Xeon's end-of-life status limits its appeal for new builds. The Ryzen also offers slightly higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs. 34.1 GB/s) despite having half the L3 cache. For scenarios favoring portability, integrated graphics, and strong single-core performance, the Ryzen 7 2700U is the clear winner in the data.