AMD Ryzen 7 2800H vs Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.0% to 1.4% across single-core and multi-core tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H, while closely matched in raw compute, loses every benchmark round. However, the two chips target entirely different market segments: the Xeon is a server and workstation part on the Intel Socket 1151 platform, while the Ryzen 7 2800H is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP5. The Xeon is end-of-life, whereas the Ryzen remains in active production.

For a system builder prioritizing maximum Cinebench scores in a stationary workstation, the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 is the statistically stronger choice. Its average benchmark score of 2029 exceeds the Ryzen's 2002, and it holds a consistent edge in every recorded workload. For a laptop or compact mobile system, the Ryzen 7 2800H is the only viable option among the two, given its mobile socket and 15 W TDP. The Xeon's 45 W TDP and lack of integrated graphics make it unsuitable for power-constrained portable designs. The data does not support choosing the Ryzen for pure compute performance, but its platform and power profile dictate its use case.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in architecture and platform. The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 is built on the Skylake architecture (Skylake-DT codename) from the Xeon E3 generation, manufactured on a 14 nm process at Intel. It contains 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H uses the Zen architecture (Raven Ridge codename) from the Ryzen 2000 series, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. Its die size is 246 mm², nearly double the Intel chip, though transistor count is not recorded.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen offers larger per-core caches at 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2, but only 4 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel part has twice the total L3 capacity, which can benefit workloads with larger working sets. The Ryzen compensates with more generous per-core L1 and L2.

Memory support also separates the pair. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Ryzen supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server and workstation reliability, while the Ryzen does not. The Intel part provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen's PCIe configuration is not recorded. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, whereas the Xeon lists no integrated graphics. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $294; the Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H boosts to 3.80 GHz. The Intel part holds a 0.10 GHz advantage in boost frequency.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H support ECC memory?

A: No. The recorded data shows ECC memory support as false for the Ryzen 7 2800H. The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 supports ECC memory, which is true.

Q: Which chip has a smaller die size?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 has a die size of 122 mm², while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has a die size of 246 mm². The Intel die is roughly half the physical size.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 is marked as end-of-life in the database. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is marked as active in production.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 has a TDP of 45 W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has a TDP of 15 W. The Ryzen consumes one-third the thermal design power of the Xeon.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip offers double the L3 capacity.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 | AMD Ryzen 7 2800H |

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

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Base clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake-DT | Raven Ridge |

| Generation | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) | Ryzen 7 (Zen, Raven Ridge) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 122 mm² | 246 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 128 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 | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | True | False |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Integrated graphics | None | Radeon RX Vega 11 |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2015-10-18 | 2018-05-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $294 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SR2LH | Not recorded |

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, use dual-channel memory, are built on 14 nm processes, and have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a narrow but consistent victory for the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 across all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 707 against the Ryzen's 697, a 1.4% lead. In single-core R15, the Xeon scores 99 versus 98, a 1.0% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon records 2946 in multi-core compared to the Ryzen's 2907, a 1.3% margin, and 415 versus 410 in single-core, a 1.2% lead. In Cinebench R23, the Xeon posts 7015 multi-core against 6922, again 1.3% ahead, and 990 single-core versus 977, a 1.3% edge.

The largest percentage win for the Intel chip is in Cinebench R15 multi-core at 1.4%, while the smallest is in R15 single-core at 1.0%. The Ryzen 7 2800H records no benchmark wins in this comparison. In absolute terms, the Xeon's multi-core advantage grows slightly with newer benchmark versions: the R15 gap is 10 points, the R20 gap is 39 points, and the R23 gap is 93 points. Single-core gaps remain smaller, ranging from 1 to 13 points. The average benchmark score reinforces this pattern, with the Xeon at 2029 and the Ryzen at 2002.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 wins in every measured compute benchmark. Its strengths are consistent across both single-core and multi-core workloads, with margins between 1.0% and 1.4%. The chip also offers ECC memory support, which is absent on the Ryzen, making it the appropriate choice for error-sensitive server and workstation tasks. Its 8 MB of L3 cache, double the Ryzen's capacity, may benefit workloads with large data sets that fit within the shared cache. The Xeon's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz contributes to its single-core wins.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins in platform-specific attributes rather than benchmark scores. Its 15 W TDP is one-third of the Xeon's 45 W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops and other power-constrained mobile devices. It includes integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely, allowing for a simpler system build without a discrete GPU. The Ryzen also has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 2.90 GHz, which may help in scenarios where sustained boost clocks are not achievable. Its larger L1 and L2 caches per core could aid latency-sensitive workloads, though the recorded benchmarks do not show an advantage. The Ryzen's active production status means it remains available for new designs, while the Xeon is end-of-life. For a mobile system where power efficiency and integrated graphics matter more than the last few percent of Cinebench score, the Ryzen is the sensible pick. For a stationary workstation where maximum compute performance and ECC support are priorities, the Xeon is the data-backed winner.