AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record splits sharply between these two processors, and the deciding factor is the workload generation. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U claims three of the four head-to-head benchmark wins, while the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 takes a single, decisive victory in the modern multi-core Cinebench R23 test.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U dominates in single-threaded performance across both Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 143.5 against the Xeon's 68, a 111% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin narrows to 30.1%, with the AMD scoring 886 versus 681. This pattern indicates that for lightly threaded tasks, the Ryzen part is clearly superior, likely due to its higher boost clock capabilities.

The AMD also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 644 against the Xeon's 486, a 32.5% lead. This older benchmark, however, does not align with the results seen in the newer R23 test. The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 4827, beating the AMD's 3603 by 25.4%. This is a significant reversal, suggesting that the Xeon's efficiency scales better with the more demanding, sustained multi-core workload of R23.

The overall average benchmark score slightly favors the AMD: 1415 versus 1396 for the Xeon. Both CPUs sit at the 37th percentile among all recorded CPUs, indicating they are statistical peers in aggregate performance. However, the distribution of wins tells the story: the AMD is the choice for responsiveness in single-threaded and legacy multi-threaded tasks, while the Intel Xeon is the stronger option for modern, heavily threaded compute loads.

Architecture Differences

These two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It integrates a Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics unit, making it a complete APU solution. The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3, by contrast, uses the older Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell-WS, on Intel's 22 nm process. It has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU in any system.

The transistor counts and die sizes illustrate the generational gap. The AMD chip packs 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die, while the Intel chip uses 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The AMD's higher transistor density supports its integrated graphics and newer architecture. Cache configurations also differ: the AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB shared L3. The Intel has smaller 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache.

Memory support diverges completely. The AMD uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a theoretical bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and it does not support ECC. The Intel Xeon uses older DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, with a lower bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, but it does support ECC memory, a key feature for server and workstation reliability. PCIe lane allocation also favors the Xeon: it offers 16 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD provides only 8 Gen 3 lanes.

The market positioning is clear from the data. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is a mobile processor (Socket FP5) with a 15 W TDP, released in late 2017 and still active. The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 is a server/workstation processor (Socket 1150) with a 25 W TDP, released in mid-2014 and now end-of-life. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $278.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 boosts to 3.00 GHz. The AMD's higher boost clock aligns with its single-core benchmark wins.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U does not support ECC memory, which is a notable distinction for server reliability.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 4 MB shared L3 cache found on the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U. This larger cache may contribute to the Xeon's stronger multi-core scaling in the R23 test.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 has a TDP of 25 W. The AMD is the more power-efficient part, which is relevant for its mobile market segment.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U includes a Radeon RX Vega 10 integrated graphics processor. The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete graphics card is required.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has an average benchmark score of 1415, slightly ahead of the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3's 1396. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 2.20 GHz; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 2000.00 MHz
• Boost Clock: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 3.80 GHz; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 3.00 GHz
• TDP: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 15 W; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 25 W
• Socket: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: AMD Socket FP5; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: Intel Socket 1150
• Architecture: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: Zen; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: Haswell
• Codename: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: Raven Ridge; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: Haswell-WS
• Process Node: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 14 nm; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 22 nm
• Foundry: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: GlobalFoundries; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: Intel
• Transistors: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 4,950 million; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 1,400 million
• Die Size: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 210 mm²; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 160 mm²
• L1 Cache: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 96 KB (per core); Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 64 KB (per core)
• L2 Cache: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 512 KB (per core); Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 256 KB (per core)
• L3 Cache: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 4 MB (shared); Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 8 MB (shared)
• Memory Support: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: DDR4; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: DDR3
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 38.4 GB/s; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 25.6 GB/s
• ECC Memory: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: false; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: true
• PCIe: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only); Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated Graphics: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: Radeon RX Vega 10; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: null
• Market Segment: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: Mobile; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: Server/Workstation
• Production Status: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: Active; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: End-of-life
• Release Date: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: 2017-10-25; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: 2014-05-10
• Part Number: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U: YM2700C4T4MFB; Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3: SR1T8

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data provides a clear, if uneven, picture. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins three of the four recorded benchmark tests, but the one loss is substantial and workload-defining.

The largest win for the AMD comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 143.5 versus the Intel's 68. This is a 111% advantage, a massive gap that highlights the AMD's superior single-thread execution in the legacy benchmark. The AMD's boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.00 GHz is the likely driver.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD wins again, scoring 886 against 681, a 30.1% lead. The margin shrinks compared to R15, suggesting the newer benchmark is more demanding on memory or cache, but the AMD still holds a clear advantage.

The AMD also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 644 versus 486, a 32.5% advantage. This test, while multi-threaded, appears to favor the AMD's higher per-core throughput and the newer DDR4 memory interface.

The sole win for the Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and it is decisive. The Intel scores 4827, while the AMD scores 3603, giving the Xeon a 25.4% lead. This result flips the multi-core narrative completely. The Xeon's larger 8 MB L3 cache and its server-oriented architecture likely allow it to sustain higher throughput in this prolonged, heavily threaded workload, despite its lower clock speeds and older DDR3 memory.

The overall average benchmark score of 1415 for the AMD and 1396 for the Intel puts them close, with a delta of just under 1.5%. The nearest rivals in the database reflect this parity: the AMD sits alongside the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 and Intel Core i5-4460 at a 0% delta, while the Intel Xeon is closest to the Intel Core i5-6500TE at a -0.2% delta. The data shows that while these CPUs are statistical peers on average, their performance character is entirely different, making the choice workload-dependent rather than a simple matter of overall speed.