AMD Ryzen 7 2800H vs Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H and Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target different worlds: one is a mobile part, the other a server/workstation chip. The benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent, albeit narrow, advantage for the AMD processor across every single Cinebench test. The Ryzen 7 2800H wins all six head-to-head comparisons, yet the largest margin is a mere 1% in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. This is not a story of dominance, but of incremental edges that raise questions about clock speeds, architecture, and market positioning.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The sweep is unanimous. In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen 7 2800H scores 697 to the Xeon’s 693 in multi-core, a 0.6% lead, and 98 to 97 in single-core, a 1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds: the AMD part posts 2907 against 2888 in multi-core (0.7% ahead) and 410 versus 407 in single-core (also 0.7% ahead). The latest Cinebench R23 results continue the trend, with the Ryzen 7 2800H achieving 6922 multi-core and 977 single-core, compared to the Xeon’s 6878 and 971—again a 0.6% margin in both.

What do these margins mean? They are statistically small, almost within run-to-run variance. The average benchmark scores reinforce this: the Ryzen 7 2800H has an average score of 2002, while the Xeon E3-1585L v5 sits at 1989. The closest rivals to each chip further illustrate how tightly packed this performance tier is. The Ryzen 7 2800H’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-8400T, has an average score of 2001 with a 0% deltaPct, meaning they are virtual equals. Similarly, the Xeon’s nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4, scores 1991, just 0.1% behind. The data indicates that in raw rendering workloads, these two processors are effectively interchangeable, with the AMD chip holding a razor-thin edge that could be attributed to its slightly higher base and boost clocks.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs diverge significantly, even if the benchmark results do not. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is built on the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, fabricated on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. Its die size is 246 mm². The Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 uses the Skylake architecture (Skylake-H codename), also on a 14 nm process but at Intel, with a smaller die size of 171 mm² and a transistor count of 2,300 million.

Cache layouts differ notably. The Ryzen 7 2800H has 128 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The Xeon E3-1585L v5 has smaller 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but doubles the shared L3 to 8 MB. This is a classic trade-off: AMD prioritizes larger per-core caches, while Intel offers a larger pool of shared cache, which can be beneficial for certain multi-threaded workloads that share data.

Clock speeds favor AMD. The Ryzen 7 2800H has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost of 3.80 GHz. The Xeon E3-1585L v5 is slower on paper, with a 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. However, the Xeon counters with a much higher TDP of 45W, versus the Ryzen’s 15W. This is a dramatic difference, suggesting the Xeon has more thermal headroom but also indicating the Ryzen is designed for fanless or ultra-thin mobile devices. The Xeon also supports ECC memory and DDR3 alongside DDR4, while the Ryzen is limited to non-ECC DDR4. The Xeon’s memory bandwidth is listed as 34.1 GB/s, a figure not provided for the AMD chip. Integrated graphics also differ: the Ryzen 7 2800H features Radeon RX Vega 11, while the Xeon has Iris Pro Graphics P580.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins every single test. There is no test in the FACT PACK where the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 comes out ahead. Therefore, from a pure performance standpoint, the Ryzen 7 2800H is the pick for Cinebench workloads—both single and multi-threaded variations.

However, the data also points to other strengths for the Xeon. Its support for ECC memory is a critical feature for server/workstation stability, and its higher TDP (45W vs 15W) suggests it could sustain boost clocks for longer periods in a properly cooled chassis, even if the benchmarks here don’t show it. The Xeon’s larger 8 MB L3 cache could be a theoretical advantage in database or cache-sensitive workloads, though the provided Cinebench results do not demonstrate this. The Ryzen 7 2800H’s win is in efficiency: it achieves equal or better performance at a 15W TDP, which is a massive power efficiency advantage. For a mobile user, this means less heat and longer battery life. For a server administrator, the Xeon’s ECC and 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth might be more compelling than a 0.6% Cinebench delta.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H scores 6922, which is 0.6% higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5’s score of 6878.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H have a higher boost clock than the Xeon?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 7 2800H has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1585L v5 boosts up to 3.70 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 has a TDP of 45W, a threefold difference.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1585L v5 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has only 4 MB.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have in the head-to-head list?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins all 6 tests, and the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 wins 0.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification except core count and threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 has a 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. TDP is a major difference: 15W for AMD versus 45W for Intel. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP5, the Intel uses Intel BGA 1440. The Ryzen 7 2800H is built on the Zen architecture (Raven Ridge), while the Xeon uses Skylake (Skylake-H).

Cache hierarchies differ: the AMD has 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 4 MB shared L3; the Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB shared L3. The AMD’s die size is 246 mm², while the Intel’s is 171 mm² with 2,300 million transistors. Memory support also differs: the AMD only supports DDR4 in dual-channel, while the Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s and ECC support. The AMD has Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics, the Intel has Iris Pro Graphics P580. The AMD is a mobile part, still active, released in 2018; the Intel is a server/workstation part, end-of-life, released in 2016 with a launch MSRP of $445. The AMD does not have a listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear, if narrow, picture. For pure Cinebench performance, the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is the winner across the board. Its 0.6-1% margins are consistent, and its 15W TDP makes that performance significantly more efficient than the Xeon’s 45W envelope. Anyone building a low-power system or a mobile workstation should favor the Ryzen 7 2800H based on these benchmarks alone.

The Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5, however, is not without its reasons for existence. Its ECC memory support, dual memory type compatibility (DDR3 and DDR4), and larger 8 MB L3 cache are features that the Ryzen 7 2800H simply cannot offer. For a server or workstation environment where data integrity is paramount, the Xeon’s feature set may outweigh a 0.6% performance deficit. The Xeon also holds a higher TDP, which could be an advantage in a system designed for sustained loads, though the benchmarks do not reflect this. Ultimately, the Ryzen 7 2800H is the better performer in the provided tests, but the Xeon E3-1585L v5 is the more feature-rich platform for specific professional use cases. The choice depends on whether raw Cinebench scores or platform capabilities matter more.