AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U are both 4-core, 8-thread processors aimed at different corners of the mobile and compact computing market. One is a server-grade part from Intel’s Skylake generation, the other a mainstream AMD mobile chip built on the Zen architecture. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear split: the AMD chip wins in three of four head-to-head tests, while the Intel part takes a decisive victory in one important multi-threaded workload. This analysis walks through where each processor excels, what separates their designs, and which buyer the data favors.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the more consistent winner across the shared test suite. The head-to-head results show it taking three of four comparisons, including both Cinebench R15 tests and the Cinebench R23 single-core test. Its largest win comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 143.5 against the Xeon’s 71, a margin of 50.5%. That is a massive gap in lightly threaded performance and suggests the AMD part is far better suited to everyday responsive tasks, older applications, and any workload that relies on one or two threads.

The AMD chip also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 644 versus 503, a 21.9% advantage. This is notable because it shows the Ryzen 7 2700U delivering more throughput in a multi-threaded render test that is still widely used for legacy comparisons. The Xeon cannot keep up in this particular workload despite its server pedigree.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5, however, owns the most demanding test in the shared set. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 4999 against the Ryzen’s 3603, a 38.7% lead. This is the largest margin in either direction across all four head-to-head tests. The data indicates that in modern, heavily threaded rendering workloads, the Xeon pulls far ahead. This makes it the better choice for sustained multi-core compute, despite losing the older R15 multi-core test.

In single-core Cinebench R23, the Ryzen 7 2700U wins again, 886 to 705, a 20.4% advantage. So the pattern is clear: the AMD part dominates single-thread performance and the older R15 multi-core test, while the Intel part wins decisively in the newer R23 multi-core test. The wins and losses are not close, which makes the use-case split unusually sharp.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and foundries. The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-H codename, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. Both are 14 nm parts, but the underlying designs diverge significantly.

Transistor counts show a major difference. The AMD chip packs 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel chip has 2,300 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The AMD die is substantially larger and holds more than twice the transistor count, which reflects the integration of its Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics and the Zen core design. The Intel die is smaller and more modest in transistor count, consistent with its older Skylake architecture and lighter integrated graphics.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has more per-core cache at the L1 and L2 levels, while the Intel part has twice the shared L3 capacity. The larger L3 on the Xeon likely contributes to its strong showing in the R23 multi-core test, where the workload may benefit from the larger shared pool.

Memory support differs as well. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 7 2700U supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the AMD chip has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus the Intel’s 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a server-grade feature that the Ryzen 7 2700U lacks entirely.

The integrated graphics are another clear differentiator. The Intel Xeon uses HD Graphics P530, a modest GPU designed for basic display output. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses Radeon RX Vega 10, which is a substantially more capable integrated graphics solution. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, but the feature difference alone points to the AMD part being better suited for systems that rely on the integrated GPU for light gaming or accelerated media tasks.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Intel Xeon provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U provides Gen 3 with only 8 lanes. The Xeon offers more expansion headroom for discrete GPUs or multiple NVMe drives, consistent with its server/workstation market segment. The Ryzen 7 2700U is clearly positioned as a mobile part with fewer expansion needs.

The production statuses reflect their different lifecycles. The Intel Xeon is end-of-life, having been released on 2015-10-26. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is marked as active, with a release date of 2017-10-25. The Intel part is two years older in release timing and has since been discontinued.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data provides the clearest picture of performance differences. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U scores 644 against the Intel Xeon’s 503. The delta is 21.9% in favor of AMD. This is a strong win for the Ryzen part, showing that even in a multi-threaded render test, the newer Zen design can outpace the older Skylake Xeon.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap becomes enormous. The AMD chip scores 143.5, while the Intel Xeon scores just 71. The delta is 50.5% in favor of AMD. This is the single largest performance gap in the entire comparison. The Xeon’s single-core score is less than half of the Ryzen’s, which indicates a fundamental difference in per-core efficiency and clock behavior. The Ryzen 7 2700U has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz and a base clock of 2.20 GHz, while the Xeon has a boost clock of 2.80 GHz and a base clock of 2.00 GHz. The higher clocks on the AMD part clearly translate into much stronger single-thread results.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip wins again, scoring 886 versus 705, a 20.4% margin. This confirms that the single-core advantage is not limited to the older R15 test. The Ryzen 7 2700U maintains a consistent lead in lightly threaded workloads across both R15 and R23 versions.

The one Intel victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 4999 against the Ryzen’s 3603. The delta is 38.7% in favor of Intel. This is a substantial reversal from the R15 multi-core result. The R23 test is more demanding and likely scales better with the Xeon’s larger 8 MB L3 cache and server-oriented design. The Xeon’s lower clock speeds are not a liability here, as the workload benefits from sustained multi-threaded execution rather than raw per-core speed.

The wins tally reflects this split: the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins three tests, the Intel Xeon wins one. But the single Intel win is by the largest margin of any test, suggesting that in the right workload, the Xeon is far from obsolete.

Specification Differences

Several specification fields differ between the two processors. The base clocks are 2.00 GHz for the Intel Xeon and 2.20 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U. The boost clocks are 2.80 GHz and 3.80 GHz, respectively. The AMD part has a 1.00 GHz higher boost clock, which explains much of its single-core dominance.

The TDP ratings differ significantly. The Intel Xeon has a 25 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a 15 W TDP. The AMD part is the lower-power design despite delivering higher single-thread performance, which is a notable efficiency advantage.

The sockets are different: the Intel Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses AMD Socket FP5. These are not interchangeable platforms.

The cache specifications differ as described earlier. The Intel Xeon has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs, with the Xeon supporting DDR3 and DDR4 and the Ryzen supporting only DDR4. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not. Memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s for Intel and 38.4 GB/s for AMD.

PCIe lane counts differ: 16 lanes for the Xeon versus 8 lanes for the Ryzen, both Gen 3.

The integrated graphics are HD Graphics P530 on the Intel side and Radeon RX Vega 10 on the AMD side. The market segments also differ: the Xeon is listed as Server/Workstation, while the Ryzen 7 2700U is listed as Mobile.

The die size and transistor counts differ by a wide margin, with the AMD part being larger in both respects. The Intel die is 122 mm² with 2,300 million transistors, while the AMD die is 210 mm² with 4,950 million transistors.

The Intel Xeon has a launch MSRP of $433. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part is active. The Intel part number is SR2E0, and the AMD part number is YM2700C4T4MFB.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins both single-core tests. It scores 143.5 versus 71 in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 50.5% lead, and 886 versus 705 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 20.4% lead.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the test version. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins with 644 versus 503, a 21.9% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins with 4999 versus 3603, a 38.7% margin.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 has a TDP of 25 W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a TDP of 15 W. The AMD part is rated for lower power consumption.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has twice the L3 capacity.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 uses HD Graphics P530, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses Radeon RX Vega 10. The AMD integrated graphics are the more capable solution.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct buyer profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the better choice for users who prioritize single-thread performance, lower power consumption, and a more capable integrated GPU. It wins three of four head-to-head tests, including both single-core benchmarks and the older R15 multi-core test. Its 50.5% single-core lead in R15 and 20.4% lead in R23 make it clearly superior for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications. Its 15 W TDP also makes it a better fit for thin-and-light mobile systems.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 is the better choice for users who need maximum throughput in modern multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 38.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the largest margin in the entire comparison, and its 8 MB L3 cache and 16 PCIe lanes make it more suited to workstation-style tasks. It also supports ECC memory, which matters for reliability in server or workstation environments.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has the higher average benchmark score in its own set at 1415, while the Xeon has an average of 1446, but these are not directly comparable across different benchmark sets. The percentile ranks are close, with the Xeon at the 38th percentile and the Ryzen at the 37th. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the AMD Opteron 6378, Ryzen 3 2200GE, Core i5-7300HQ, and Ryzen 5 2400G, all within a 0.5% delta. The Ryzen 7 2700U’s nearest rivals include the Ryzen Embedded R2314, Core i5-4460, Core i7-3840QM, and Core i7-2700K, all within a 0.3% delta. Both parts sit in a crowded mid-range performance band.

For a mobile user who values speed per watt and integrated graphics, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the clear pick. For a workstation user who runs modern multi-threaded renders and needs ECC support, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 remains the stronger option, despite being end-of-life. The benchmark data does not support a single universal winner; it supports a workload-dependent choice.