AMD Ryzen 7 4700U vs Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 and AMD Ryzen 7 4700U are separated by six years of silicon evolution, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, differing by only 0.1%. The Xeon, a 2014 server part with 10 cores and 20 threads, posts an average score of 2724, while the 2020 mobile Ryzen 7, with 8 cores and 8 threads, averages 2722. This statistical dead heat, however, masks radically different performance profiles: the Ryzen dominates older Cinebench R15 tests, while the Xeon wins the newer R23 workloads by a wide margin. Both sit at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, indicating mid-pack overall standing.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 scores 9417 against the Ryzen 7 4700U's 7378. That is a 27.6% advantage for the older server chip, a decisive win driven by its 10 cores and 20 threads versus the Ryzen's 8 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon also takes the R23 single-core test, scoring 1329 to the Ryzen's 1220.5, an 8.9% lead. This suggests that in the most modern rendering workload, the Xeon's architecture scales better per thread and across its additional cores.

The situation reverses sharply in Cinebench R15. The Ryzen 7 4700U scores 1094.5 in multi-core, beating the Xeon's 949 by 13.3%. The single-core gap is even larger: the Ryzen posts 180 versus the Xeon's 133, a 26.1% margin. These older tests appear to favor the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz and its Zen 2 architecture's superior instruction-level efficiency, whereas the Xeon's modest 2.50 GHz boost clock holds it back. The Ryzen's advantage in R15 is not marginal; it is a substantial deficit for the Intel part.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the Xeon has additional data points that the Ryzen lacks. In Cinebench R20, the Xeon scores 3955 multi-core and 558 single-core. The Ryzen has no R20 results, but its R23 scores suggest it would trail in multi-core while potentially competing in single-core. The Ryzen counters with Geekbench results—5189 multi-core and 1268 single-core—which the Xeon does not have entries for. The wins are split evenly at 2-2 across the shared tests, but the margins tell the real story: the Xeon wins big where it wins, and the Ryzen wins big where it wins.

Architecture Differences

The core design philosophies are fundamentally different. The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process, fabricated by Intel with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. It is a server/workstation part built for sustained multi-threaded throughput, featuring a 25 MB shared L3 cache and a quad-channel DDR4 memory bus delivering 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. It supports ECC memory and offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U is built on the Zen 2 architecture using TSMC's 7 nm process, packing 9,800 million transistors into a much smaller 156 mm² die. This transistor density advantage is a key enabler of its high 4.10 GHz boost clock despite a 15 W TDP. Its cache layout differs significantly: 512 KB of L2 per core (double the Xeon's 256 KB) but only 8 MB of shared L3, a quarter of the Xeon's capacity. Memory support is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and there is no ECC support. The Ryzen also integrates Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors, something the Xeon lacks entirely, and its PCIe implementation is Gen 3 without a specified lane count.

Process node and transistor counts explain much of the performance divergence. The 7 nm process allows the Ryzen to hit far higher clock speeds within a 15 W envelope, while the 22 nm Xeon is constrained to 2.50 GHz boost despite a 75 W TDP. The Xeon's larger L3 cache and quad-channel memory are classic server features aimed at data-heavy workloads, whereas the Ryzen's smaller cache and dual-channel bus prioritize lower latency for consumer applications. The Ryzen's 8 threads, equal to its core count, means no hyper-threading, while the Xeon doubles its 10 cores into 20 threads for parallel task handling.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multi-threading.

Q: Why does the Ryzen 7 4700U win Cinebench R15 but lose Cinebench R23?

A: The Ryzen wins R15 multi-core by 13.3% (1094.5 vs 949) and single-core by 26.1% (180 vs 133), likely due to its 4.10 GHz boost clock. However, the Xeon wins R23 multi-core by 27.6% (9417 vs 7378) and single-core by 8.9% (1329 vs 1220.5), indicating the newer benchmark rewards the Xeon's 20 threads and larger 25 MB L3 cache.

Q: What are the TDPs and process nodes?

A: The Xeon has a 75 W TDP on a 22 nm process from Intel. The Ryzen has a 15 W TDP on a 7 nm process from TSMC. The Ryzen uses fewer than a third of the Xeon's power budget.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U does not support ECC.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U has integrated graphics, featuring Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors. The Intel Xeon has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon averages 2724, while the Ryzen averages 2722. The delta is 0.1%, making them effectively tied on average, with the Xeon holding a razor-thin edge.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type and power constraints. The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 is the choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering in modern benchmarks. Its 27.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 8.9% lead in R23 single-core demonstrate that its 20 threads and 25 MB L3 cache are better suited for current software that scales with parallelism. It is a server part with ECC support, quad-channel memory, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, making it appropriate for workstation tasks that require memory integrity and high bandwidth.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U is the pick for power-sensitive mobile workloads and legacy benchmark performance. Its 26.1% single-core and 13.3% multi-core wins in Cinebench R15 show that its high boost clock delivers snappy responsiveness in older applications. The 15 W TDP, versus 75 W for the Xeon, makes it dramatically more efficient. Its integrated Radeon Graphics with 448 SP eliminates the need for a discrete GPU. The Ryzen is also an active product, while the Xeon is end-of-life.

Neither chip is a universal winner. The Xeon's R23 dominance suggests it will handle future multi-threaded software better, but its 2014 release date and lack of integrated graphics limit its appeal outside servers. The Ryzen's R15 wins and lower power draw make it superior for laptops and compact systems, but its 8 MB L3 cache and lack of ECC rule out certain enterprise use cases. The 50th percentile ranking for both indicates they are mid-range performers, not leaders, in the broader CPU landscape.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 8 |

| Boost Clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 75 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen 2 |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 156 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 25 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Graphics 448SP |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2014-09-07 | 2020-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $1364 | None |

Where Each One Wins

Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 wins in modern multi-threaded rendering. The 27.6% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core (9417 vs 7378) is the largest margin in any shared test. Its 20 threads and 25 MB L3 cache are the likely drivers. It also wins R23 single-core by 8.9%, showing that its older cores still hold up in current single-threaded tests. This makes it the better option for video rendering, scientific computing, and other workloads that use the latest Cinebench-style parallelism.

AMD Ryzen 7 4700U wins in legacy benchmark performance and power efficiency. The 26.1% lead in R15 single-core (180 vs 133) and 13.3% lead in R15 multi-core (1094.5 vs 949) are substantial. The 4.10 GHz boost clock is the standout spec, nearly double the Xeon's 2.50 GHz. At 15 W, it uses one-fifth the power of the Xeon's 75 W TDP. Its integrated Radeon Graphics with 448 SP provide a complete visual solution that the Xeon cannot offer.

The Xeon wins on memory bandwidth and capacity. Quad-channel DDR4 with 59.7 GB/s throughput versus dual-channel at 51.2 GB/s gives it a 16.6% bandwidth advantage. ECC support and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it suitable for storage arrays and memory-intensive server tasks.

The Ryzen wins on transistor density and die efficiency. It packs 9,800 million transistors into 156 mm², versus 2,600 million in 356 mm² for the Xeon. This 3.8x transistor count on a less-than-half-size die confirms the 7 nm process advantage. For mobile users prioritizing battery life and portability, the Ryzen is the only rational choice.