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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear and consistent result: the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Xeon W-1290E. Across six Cinebench tests, spanning three different renderer versions and both single-core and multi-core workloads, the Ryzen 7 4700G holds a lead in every instance. The margins are narrow but uniform, which suggests a systematic advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 4700G scores 1724 against the Xeon W-1290E's 1664, a 3.5% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 243 for the AMD part versus 234 for the Intel part, a 3.7% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the Ryzen 7 4700G at 7186 and the Xeon W-1290E at 6934, again a 3.5% difference. The R20 single-core test records 1014 for AMD and 978 for Intel, a 3.6% gap.

The newest renderer in the set, Cinebench R23, repeats the story. Multi-core scores are 17111 for the Ryzen 7 4700G and 16510 for the Xeon W-1290E, a 3.5% delta. Single-core R23 results are 2415 versus 2330, another 3.5% margin. The consistency of these deltas, all falling between 3.5% and 3.7%, indicates that the AMD processor's advantage is stable across both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads.

The average benchmark score reinforces the head-to-head picture. The Ryzen 7 4700G posts an average score of 4949, while the Xeon W-1290E averages 4775. That is a roughly 3.6% gap in the AMD part's favor, matching the per-test deltas closely.

Context from the nearest rivals helps frame these numbers. The Xeon W-1290E's average score of 4775 places it essentially level with the Intel Core i5-1350P, which scores 4776, and the AMD EPYC 7252 at 4772. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X sits slightly ahead at 4807, a 0.7% margin over the Xeon. For the Ryzen 7 4700G, the nearest rival is the Intel Xeon W-1290 at 4932, with the AMD part ahead by 0.3%. The Intel Core i5-12600HE scores 4980, a 0.6% gap, and the Intel Core i7-1375PRE scores 4985, a 0.7% gap.

Both processors land at the 59th percentile among all CPUs in the database. This means that while the Ryzen 7 4700G is the faster chip in this direct comparison, neither part is a top-tier performer in the broader market context. The percentile ranking is identical, so the overall performance tier is the same; the difference is in the details of where each sits within that tier.

The Verdict

The data points to one straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G is the faster processor in every measured workload. Buyers choosing purely on benchmark performance should select the Ryzen 7 4700G. It wins all six Cinebench tests, all by margins between 3.5% and 3.7%, and it carries a higher average benchmark score of 4949 versus 4775.

The Intel Xeon W-1290E does not win a single recorded benchmark in this comparison. Its zero wins against six for the AMD part is a decisive outcome. However, the Xeon W-1290E is not without reason to exist. Its market segment is Server/Workstation, and it supports ECC memory, a feature the Ryzen 7 4700G lacks. For workloads that require error-correcting memory, the Xeon W-1290E is the only option of the two, regardless of the raw performance deficit.

The Intel part also carries a higher launch MSRP of $552, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Ryzen 7 4700G comes with a lower TDP of 65 watts against the Xeon's 95 watts, and it offers an unlocked multiplier, which the Xeon does not. The Xeon W-1290E is built on a 14 nm process from Intel, while the Ryzen 7 4700G uses TSMC's 7 nm node. The AMD chip also has a larger transistor count at 9,800 million versus no figure recorded for Intel, and a smaller die size at 156 mm² compared to 206 mm².

For a workstation or server build that demands ECC memory, the Xeon W-1290E is the correct pick, accepting its lower benchmark scores. For desktop use where raw Cinebench performance is the priority, the Ryzen 7 4700G wins outright. The data does not support choosing the Xeon on performance grounds alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G scores 17111, while the Intel Xeon W-1290E scores 16510, giving AMD a 3.5% lead.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: The Ryzen 7 4700G scores 1014 and the Xeon W-1290E scores 978, a 3.6% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-1290E support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon W-1290E supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G has an average benchmark score of 4949, and the Intel Xeon W-1290E has an average benchmark score of 4775.

Q: How do the two processors compare in core and thread counts?

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

Q: Are both processors at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 59th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Xeon W-1290E uses 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G uses 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite the core deficit, the AMD part wins all benchmarks, indicating its per-core efficiency is superior.

Base clock speeds are close: the Xeon W-1290E runs at 3.50 GHz and the Ryzen 7 4700G at 3.60 GHz. Boost clocks differ more substantially, with the Xeon reaching 4.80 GHz and the Ryzen 7 4700G topping out at 4.40 GHz. The higher boost clock on the Intel part does not translate into benchmark wins.

Thermal design power differs notably. The Xeon W-1290E is rated at 95 watts, while the Ryzen 7 4700G is rated at 65 watts. This gives the AMD part a power efficiency advantage on paper. Sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1200, and the Ryzen 7 4700G uses AMD Socket AM4.

Memory bandwidth figures favor the AMD part. The Ryzen 7 4700G records 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon W-1290E records 46.9 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory and use a dual-channel memory bus.

The Xeon W-1290E supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 7 4700G does not. This is a critical differentiation for server and workstation buyers. The Xeon also has a launch MSRP of $552, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Ryzen 7 4700G.

The multiplier is locked on the Xeon W-1290E and unlocked on the Ryzen 7 4700G. The integrated graphics differ: the Xeon uses Intel UHD Graphics P630, and the Ryzen 7 4700G uses Radeon Vega 8. The Xeon is classified in the Server/Workstation market segment, while the Ryzen 7 4700G is classified as Desktop.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is significant. The Intel Xeon W-1290E is built on the Comet Lake architecture, which uses a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm process node.

The process node difference is substantial: 14 nm versus 7 nm. The smaller node contributes to the AMD part's lower 65 watt TDP and its transistor density advantages. The Ryzen 7 4700G contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the Xeon W-1290E has a 206 mm² die with no transistor count recorded.

Cache layouts differ meaningfully. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. L2 cache is 256 KB per core on the Xeon W-1290E and 512 KB per core on the Ryzen 7 4700G, giving AMD a per-core L2 advantage. L3 cache is a major differentiator: the Xeon W-1290E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 7 4700G has 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part's larger L3 pool does not overcome the AMD part's performance lead in the recorded benchmarks.

The generation identifiers place the Xeon W-1290E in the Xeon Comet Lake generation, while the Ryzen 7 4700G sits in the Ryzen 7 Zen 2 Renoir generation. The Ryzen 7 4700G belongs to the 4000 series. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel UHD Graphics P630 on the Xeon W-1290E versus Radeon Vega 8 on the Ryzen 7 4700G. The Ryzen 7 4700G also has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Xeon W-1290E does not. The release dates place the Xeon W-1290E in May 2020 and the Ryzen 7 4700G in July 2020, a gap of about two months.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G wins every recorded performance benchmark. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 3.5% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. In single-core workloads, it leads by 3.5% to 3.7% across the same three tests. For anyone running Cinebench-style render workloads, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the Ryzen 7 4700G is the stronger choice.

The Ryzen 7 4700G also wins on power efficiency. Its 65 watt TDP is significantly lower than the Xeon W-1290E's 95 watts. It also offers an unlocked multiplier, giving users overclocking headroom that the Xeon lacks. The smaller 7 nm process node and higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s reinforce the AMD part's efficiency story.

The Intel Xeon W-1290E has no benchmark wins, but it wins on feature set for specific use cases. ECC memory support is the defining advantage. Workstations and servers that require error-correcting memory must use the Xeon W-1290E, as the Ryzen 7 4700G does not support ECC. The Xeon also has more L3 cache at 20 MB versus 8 MB, which could benefit workloads with large, repeatedly accessed datasets, though this advantage does not appear in the recorded Cinebench results.

The Xeon W-1290E also has more cores and threads: 10 cores and 20 threads versus 8 cores and 16 threads. In theory, this favors heavily parallel workloads that scale beyond 16 threads. The recorded benchmarks do not show this advantage materializing, as the Ryzen 7 4700G wins even the multi-core tests despite its lower core count.

The market segment split is clear. The Xeon W-1290E targets Server/Workstation buyers, with ECC support and a higher TDP, while the Ryzen 7 4700G targets Desktop users, with lower power draw and an unlocked multiplier. The database shows the Ryzen 7 4700G as the faster chip in every measured category, but the Xeon W-1290E remains the only choice for ECC-mandatory environments.