AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X vs Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X and Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 are both veteran processors, but they approach performance from opposite directions: the AMD chip uses higher clocks and newer architecture, while the Intel part leans on more cores and a wider memory bus. Benchmark data shows a clear, consistent winner across every tested workload, yet the Xeon still holds appeal for specific server-oriented tasks. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, based strictly on the available benchmark results and specification data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X wins all six benchmark comparisons, with margins that are small but remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15, the AMD part scores 1333 in multi-core versus 1274 for the Xeon, a 4.6% advantage. The single-core gap is slightly larger at 5%, with scores of 188 and 179 respectively. This pattern repeats in newer Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 5555 against 5311 (4.6% delta), and R20 single-core shows 784 versus 749 (4.7% delta). The R23 results follow the same script, with the AMD chip posting 13227 in multi-core and 1867 in single-core, versus 12647 and 1785 for the Intel part — again a 4.6% delta in both cases.

What is notable is the uniformity of the margin. Whether the workload is single-threaded or fully parallel, the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X maintains roughly a 4.6-5% lead over the Xeon E5-2658A v3. This suggests the AMD processor's advantage comes from fundamental architectural efficiency rather than any workload-specific strength. The Xeon, despite having 12 cores and 24 threads versus the Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads, cannot overcome the clock speed and IPC deficit.

For context, the average benchmark score for the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is 3673, placing it at the 56th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon E5-2658A v3 averages 3658, also at the 56th percentile. The delta between them is just 0.4% in the Ryzen's favor, meaning these are closely matched parts in aggregate, even though the Ryzen wins every individual head-to-head test. The nearest rival list for the AMD chip includes the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 with a deltaPct of 0.4, confirming that the two are near-neighbors in overall performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, using the Zen architecture (codename Summit Ridge). It packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 uses the older 22 nm process at Intel, with the Haswell-EP architecture, containing 2,600 million transistors on a much larger 356 mm² die. The process node difference explains why the AMD chip achieves higher clocks while using fewer transistors.

Clock speeds tell a clear story. The Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Xeon E5-2658A v3 operates at a base of 2.20 GHz and boosts to 2.90 GHz. This 0.7-0.9 GHz advantage in clock speed is the primary reason the AMD part wins every benchmark, despite having fewer cores. The Xeon compensates with more cores (12 versus 8) and threads (24 versus 16), but the per-core performance gap is too large to overcome.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The AMD part has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but a much larger 30 MB of shared L3. This larger L3 cache on the Xeon is typical of server processors designed for data-heavy workloads, but it does not translate into a benchmark win in the tested scenarios.

Memory support is another major divergence. Both support DDR4, but the Xeon E5-2658A v3 uses a quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X uses dual-channel with 42.7 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The Xeon also offers significantly more PCIe lanes: 40 Gen 3 lanes versus just 16 on the AMD part. These differences matter for server applications but do not appear in the CPU benchmark scores.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X wins every benchmark in the data set, so its strengths are clear. It is faster in single-threaded tasks by 5% in Cinebench R15 and 4.7% in R20, which translates to snappier response in lightly threaded applications. Its multi-threaded wins are also consistent at 4.6% across all Cinebench versions, meaning it handles parallel workloads better despite having fewer cores. The higher base and boost clocks (3.40/3.80 GHz versus 2.20/2.90 GHz) give it an edge in any task that is not perfectly scaled across many cores.

The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but it has structural advantages that the data does not directly measure. It has 12 cores and 24 threads versus 8 and 16, which would theoretically help in heavily multi-threaded server workloads that are not captured in these Cinebench and Geekbench results. Its quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth is nearly 60% higher than the AMD part's 42.7 GB/s, which matters for memory-bandwidth-intensive applications. The 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16 also make it far more suitable for systems with multiple GPUs or NVMe devices.

The market segments reflect this: the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon E5-2658A v3 is a server/workstation part with a locked multiplier. The Xeon's production status is end-of-life, whereas the AMD part is still active. For a desktop builder, the Ryzen is the obvious choice. For someone building a server with high memory bandwidth demands, the Xeon's architecture is more appropriate, even if its raw CPU scores are lower.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X scores 13227, which is 4.6% higher than the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3's 12647.

Q: How do the single-core Cinebench R15 scores compare?

A: The AMD part scores 188, beating the Xeon's 179 by 5%. This is the largest single-core margin in the head-to-head data.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 has a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X has a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to the Xeon's 2.20 GHz.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is listed as active, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are substantial. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X uses a 14 nm process, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 uses 22 nm. The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the Intel part has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.80 GHz versus 2.90 GHz. TDP is 95W for the AMD and 105W for the Intel part.

The cache layout differs: AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 30 MB shared L3. Memory buses are dual-channel (AMD, 42.7 GB/s) versus quad-channel (Intel, 68.3 GB/s). PCIe lanes are 16 for AMD and 40 for Intel. The AMD part uses the AM4 socket and has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part uses Socket 2011-3 and is locked. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $1832. Transistor counts are 4,800 million for AMD versus 2,600 million for Intel, with die sizes of 213 mm² and 356 mm² respectively.

The Verdict

The data is decisive: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 in every benchmark recorded. If your priority is raw CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the AMD part is the better choice. It delivers a consistent 4.6-5% lead across all Cinebench versions, which is impressive given that it does so with fewer cores. The Ryzen's higher clocks and newer 14 nm process make it the superior processor for general-purpose computing, desktop workloads, and even most multi-threaded tasks.

However, the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 is not without merit. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes, make it a more capable platform for server-specific applications that demand high memory bandwidth or many expansion cards. The Xeon's larger 30 MB L3 cache could also benefit certain cached workloads. The data shows these parts are near-equal in average score, with the Ryzen at 3673 and the Xeon at 3658.

For a desktop PC builder, the choice is clear: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is faster, more efficient, and still in production. For a server builder prioritizing memory bandwidth, PCIe capacity, and core count over benchmark wins, the Xeon E5-2658A v3 offers a different set of strengths — but in pure CPU performance, the AMD part wins outright.