AMD Ryzen 7 4700G vs Intel Xeon W-1290 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided picture. Across all six Cinebench comparisons in the head-to-head set, the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G records the higher score in every single test. The wins are consistent but narrow: the AMD part leads by 0.3% in multi-core tests and by 0.4% in single-core tests, with no test where the Intel Xeon W-1290 pulls ahead. This means the 4700G edges out the Xeon in every measured workload, from the older Cinebench R15 to the newer R23, across both multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering tasks.

Looking at the broader average benchmark score, the 4700G posts a 4949 average against the Xeon W-1290's 4932, a 0.3% margin that aligns perfectly with the head-to-head deltas. Both CPUs sit at the 59th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy essentially the same performance tier. The nearest rival list reinforces this: the Xeon W-1290 is the closest competitor to the 4700G, just 0.3% behind in average score, while the next nearest rivals (AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C48 at 4967, Intel Core i5-12600HE at 4980, Intel Core i7-1375PRE at 4985) are all within 1% of the AMD part's score.

The practical takeaway is that neither processor offers a meaningful performance advantage in raw compute. The 4700G wins every benchmark, but by margins so slim they fall within run-to-run variance territory. Where these CPUs diverge is in platform characteristics and target use cases, not in headline performance numbers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Xeon W-1290 uses the Comet Lake architecture, built on Intel's 14 nm process. This process gap explains several downstream differences: the AMD chip packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, while the Intel part uses a larger 206 mm² die with fewer transistors (the exact count is not listed for the Xeon).

Core counts differ, with the Xeon W-1290 offering 10 cores and 20 threads versus 8 cores and 16 threads on the 4700G. Clock speeds also favor Intel on paper: the Xeon boosts to 5.20 GHz from a 3.20 GHz base, while the 4700G boosts to 4.40 GHz from a 3.60 GHz base. The AMD part compensates with a lower 65 W TDP compared to the Xeon's 80 W, and the AMD multiplier is unlocked for overclocking while the Xeon's is locked.

Cache configurations reflect the architectural split. Both have 64 KB L1 per core, but the 4700G has 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB per core on the Xeon. The L3 cache tells a different story: the Xeon has 20 MB shared L3, while the 4700G has 8 MB. The AMD chip's smaller L3 is a consequence of its chiplet-free monolithic Renoir design, which integrates graphics and relies on faster per-core L2.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 4700G carries Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Xeon W-1290 has Intel UHD Graphics P630. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel on both, but the AMD part lists 51.2 GB/s bandwidth versus 46.9 GB/s on the Intel side. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon, reflecting its server/workstation positioning, while the 4700G does not support ECC. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and both use dual-channel memory buses. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket AM4 for the 4700G, Intel Socket 1200 for the Xeon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the AMD chip support ECC memory?

A: No. The 4700G does not list ECC memory support, while the Xeon W-1290 does support ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G wins all three single-core Cinebench tests: R15 single-core 243 vs 242, R20 single-core 1014 vs 1010, and R23 single-core 2415 vs 2407.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Xeon W-1290 has an 80 W TDP.

Q: Which processor was released first?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290 was released on May 12, 2020, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G was released on July 20, 2020.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G and the Intel Xeon W-1290 list their production status as "Active."

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 4700G | Intel Xeon W-1290 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 80 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Renoir | Comet Lake |

| Process node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 156 mm² | 206 mm² |

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

| L3 cache | 8 MB | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| ECC memory | false | true |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Intel UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | 2020-07-20 | 2020-05-12 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $498 |

| Multiplier unlocked | true | false |

| Part number | 100-000000146 | SRH94 |

The specification table highlights the core trade-off: the Xeon offers more cores, more threads, a higher boost clock, more L3 cache, ECC support, and a server/workstation market designation, while the AMD part counters with a smaller process node, lower TDP, higher base clock, more L2 per core, higher memory bandwidth, unlocked multiplier, and desktop positioning.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six head-to-head Cinebench results show a consistent pattern of AMD winning by a hair. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 4700G scores 1724 against the Xeon's 1718, a 0.3% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows 243 vs 242, a 0.4% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 7186 vs 7162 (0.3% delta), and single-core is 1014 vs 1010 (0.4% delta). The newest tests, Cinebench R23, follow the same shape: multi-core 17111 vs 17054 (0.3% delta) and single-core 2415 vs 2407 (0.3% delta).

The fact that the AMD part wins by nearly identical margins across all three Cinebench versions suggests the performance gap is consistent rather than workload-specific. The Xeon's extra two cores and four threads do not translate into a multi-core victory, likely because the 4700G's higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) and superior L2 cache configuration offset the core-count deficit in these particular rendering workloads. The Xeon's higher boost clock (5.20 GHz vs 4.40 GHz) similarly fails to produce a single-core win, with the AMD chip's per-core efficiency on the 7 nm process proving decisive.

The average benchmark scores tell the same story from a different angle: 4949 for the 4700G versus 4932 for the Xeon. The 0.3% delta in average score matches the head-to-head deltas exactly, confirming that these are two processors of nearly identical overall capability. The percentiles reinforce this: both sit at the 59th percentile among all CPUs, meaning neither is a performance outlier in either direction.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G wins every benchmark in the comparison, making it the technically faster processor in all tested workloads. However, the margins are so narrow—never exceeding 0.4%—that they are unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use. The decision between these two CPUs should therefore rest on platform features rather than raw benchmark scores.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G if you prioritize a lower 65 W TDP, an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, a smaller 7 nm process, higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, and a desktop-oriented feature set with Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The 4700G also offers more L2 cache per core at 512 KB versus 256 KB, and its 156 mm² die is substantially smaller than Intel's 206 mm² part.

Choose the Intel Xeon W-1290 if you need 10 cores and 20 threads, ECC memory support, or the server/workstation market segment designation. The Xeon also provides a larger 20 MB shared L3 cache versus 8 MB, a higher boost clock at 5.20 GHz, and Intel UHD Graphics P630. Its launch MSRP is listed at $498, and it was released earlier on May 12, 2020, compared to the 4700G's July 20, 2020 release.

For most desktop users, the AMD chip's combination of lower power draw, unlocked multiplier, and marginally better benchmark scores makes it the more attractive option. For workstation or server deployments requiring ECC memory and additional cores, the Xeon W-1290's feature set justifies its selection despite trailing in every measured benchmark. The 59th percentile ranking for both CPUs indicates they are mid-pack performers overall, so neither should be chosen for top-tier compute demands. The benchmark data shows a statistical tie in performance, with the AMD part taking a narrow edge across the board.