AMD Ryzen 7 3700U vs Intel Xeon W3550 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U in the single available head-to-head comparison. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 7 3700U scored 672 points against 279 points for the Intel Xeon W3550. That is a delta of 140.9%, meaning the AMD part delivers more than twice the multi-core performance of the Intel part in this workload. The result is not close, and it establishes the Ryzen 7 3700U as the clear leader in raw computational throughput based on this measurement.

The wider benchmark database reinforces this outcome, though the two processors land in the same overall percentile. Both the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and the Intel Xeon W3550 sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs tracked. However, the average benchmark score tells a slightly different story. The Ryzen 7 3700U posts an average score of 968, while the Xeon W3550 posts 956. That is a 12-point gap, small but consistent with the direction of the head-to-head result.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip clarifies where they stand. The Ryzen 7 3700U is bracketed by the Intel Core i5-2400S at 968 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon X5570 at 967 (0.1% delta), and the Intel Celeron N5100 at 966 (0.2% delta). On the other side, the AMD PRO A8-9600 scores 971, putting it 0.3% ahead of the Ryzen part. The Xeon W3550 sits alongside the AMD Athlon X4 870K at 956 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-950 at 957 (0.1% ahead), and the Intel Celeron N5105 at 955 (0.1% behind). The Intel Xeon W3570 matches the W3550 at 955. Both CPUs are firmly in the same performance tier, but the Ryzen 7 3700U has the edge where direct comparison exists.

The absence of a shared Cinebench R20 or R23 result in the head-to-head data means the multi-core advantage cannot be cross-validated with other render workloads. The database does list a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 1166 and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2778 for the Xeon W3550, but no comparable Ryzen 7 3700U numbers are recorded for those tests. Similarly, the Ryzen 7 3700U has Geekbench multi-core and single-core scores of 2377 and 682 respectively, while the Xeon W3550 lacks corresponding Geekbench entries. As such, the only apples-to-apples measurement is the Cinebench R15 multi-core result, and it favors the AMD chip overwhelmingly.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U wins the only benchmark where both chips were measured under identical conditions. Cinebench R15 multi-core is a rendering workload that scales with thread count, and the Ryzen part's 672-point score versus 279 for the Xeon W3550 indicates a substantial advantage in multi-threaded throughput. For users running CPU-bound render tasks, video encoding, or compilation workloads that behave like Cinebench R15, the Ryzen 7 3700U is the stronger choice.

The Intel Xeon W3550 does not win any head-to-head benchmark in the recorded data. Its wins column is zero. However, the Xeon W3550 does have additional benchmark entries that the Ryzen 7 3700U lacks, including Cinebench R20 multi-core at 1166, Cinebench R20 single-core at 164, Cinebench R23 multi-core at 2778, and Cinebench R23 single-core at 392. These numbers cannot be compared directly because the Ryzen 7 3700U has no corresponding scores, but they do show that the Xeon is a functional processor for those workloads on its own terms.

The Ryzen 7 3700U also carries integrated graphics with Radeon Vega 10, while the Xeon W3550 has no integrated graphics at all. That makes the AMD part the only one of the two capable of driving a display without a separate graphics card. For systems that need a minimal footprint, the Ryzen 7 3700U is the practical option. The Xeon W3550 requires a discrete GPU, which is typical for its server and workstation market segment.

In terms of efficiency, the Ryzen 7 3700U has a thermal design power of 15 watts, whereas the Xeon W3550 is rated at 130 watts. The data does not include cooling requirements or power draw measurements, but the TDP figures alone indicate a stark difference in thermal envelope. A 15-watt part is suitable for thin-and-light mobile designs, while a 130-watt part belongs in a desktop workstation with substantial cooling. The Ryzen 7 3700U is therefore the winner for any scenario where power and heat are constraints.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is built on the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename, part of the 3000 series. It uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries and packs 4,940 million transistors into a die size of 210 mm². The Intel Xeon W3550 uses the older Nehalem architecture with the Bloomfield codename. It is fabricated on a 45 nm process at Intel with 731 million transistors and a die size of 263 mm². The process gap is significant: the Ryzen part uses a node roughly four generations newer, which explains its superior transistor density and power efficiency.

Core and thread counts are identical. Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 7 3700U has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Xeon W3550 has a higher base clock of 3.07 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.33 GHz. The Ryzen part's boost advantage is 0.67 GHz, which helps explain its multi-core lead despite the lower base frequency.

Cache hierarchies differ noticeably. The Ryzen 7 3700U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon W3550 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has twice the L3 capacity, but the AMD part has more L1 and L2 per core. The larger L3 on the Xeon may help in some workloads, but the benchmark data does not show it overcoming the Ryzen's other advantages.

Memory support also diverges. The Ryzen 7 3700U uses dual-channel DDR4 memory, while the Xeon W3550 uses triple-channel DDR3. The Xeon's triple-channel configuration gives it more memory channels, but DDR4 on the Ryzen part offers higher per-module bandwidth potential. Neither memory bandwidth figure is listed in the database, so a direct bandwidth comparison is not possible.

The Ryzen 7 3700U supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Xeon W3550 supports PCIe Gen 2. The newer PCIe standard doubles the per-lane bandwidth, which matters for NVMe storage and modern GPUs. The Ryzen part also has integrated Radeon Vega 10 graphics, whereas the Xeon W3550 has none. The Xeon does support ECC memory, a feature the Ryzen part lacks. The Ryzen 7 3700U uses AMD Socket FP5, and the Xeon W3550 uses Intel Socket 1366. The Ryzen part is an active production part, while the Xeon is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is significantly faster. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 672 against 279 for the Intel Xeon W3550, a 140.9% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes. Both the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and the Intel Xeon W3550 have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon W3550 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U does not.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon Vega 10 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon W3550 has no integrated graphics and requires a separate GPU.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is rated at 15 watts, while the Intel Xeon W3550 is rated at 130 watts.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is listed as active production. The Intel Xeon W3550 is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is the superior processor in the only direct benchmark comparison available. Its 140.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is decisive, and its average benchmark score of 968 exceeds the Xeon W3550's 956. The Ryzen part also offers integrated graphics, a modern 12 nm process, PCIe Gen 3, and a 15-watt TDP. The Xeon W3550 counters with ECC support, triple-channel DDR3 memory, and a larger 8 MB L3 cache, but none of those features translate into a benchmark win in the recorded data.

Users who prioritize multi-threaded performance, power efficiency, and integrated graphics should choose the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U. It is the only one of the two with a head-to-head victory, and its architectural advantages are substantial. The Xeon W3550 remains a functional quad-core, eight-thread part for legacy server or workstation builds where ECC memory and triple-channel DDR3 are required, but the benchmark data does not support it as a performance choice. The Ryzen 7 3700U wins this comparison outright.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 3700U | Intel Xeon W3550 |

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

| Series | 3000 series | null |

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.07 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.33 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 130 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| Architecture | Zen+ | Nehalem |

| Codename | Picasso | Bloomfield |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 45 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 731 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 263 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 10 | null |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2019-01-05 | 2009-08-08 |

| Part Number | YM370BC4T4MFG | SLBEY |