AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X vs Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 Comparison

The benchmark data is unequivocal: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 in every single head-to-head test, despite the Intel part having twice the core count and four times the thread count. Across six Cinebench benchmarks, the AMD chip consistently delivers a 4.1% performance advantage in both single-core and multi-core workloads, making it the outright winner for raw computational throughput. The Intel Xeon, while competitive, cannot overcome the architectural and clock-speed deficits that plague its older Haswell design.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X wins every benchmark category outright, with no exceptions. In multi-core tests, the AMD chip scores 1452 in Cinebench R15, 6054 in R20, and 14415 in R23, compared to the Intel Xeon’s 1395, 5814, and 13843 respectively. The single-core results follow the same pattern: AMD leads with 204 in R15, 854 in R20, and 2035 in R23, while Intel trails at 196, 820, and 1954. The data shows a consistent 4.1% deltaPct favoring AMD across all six tests.

The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 does not secure a single win, but its multi-core scores remain respectable. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon posts 13843, which is only 4.1% behind the AMD’s 14415. This indicates that the Xeon’s 16 cores and 32 threads allow it to remain competitive in heavily threaded workloads, even if the per-core performance is inferior. However, the AMD chip’s higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus the Xeon’s 3.40 GHz provides a decisive edge in every scenario, from lightly threaded tasks to fully saturated multi-core renders.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 uses Intel’s older 22 nm process. This process advantage contributes directly to the AMD chip’s efficiency and clock speeds. The AMD processor features 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge) architecture, whereas the Intel Xeon offers 16 cores and 32 threads from the Haswell-EP design.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Xeon counters with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a much larger 40 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache on the Xeon helps mitigate memory latency in multi-threaded workloads, though it does not translate into a benchmark victory. The transistor counts also differ: AMD packs 4,800 million transistors into a 192 mm² die, while Intel fits 2,600 million transistors into a larger 356 mm² die.

Memory support further differentiates the two. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory, but the Intel Xeon operates on a quad-channel memory bus with a rated bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, whereas the AMD chip uses a dual-channel bus with no listed bandwidth figure. The Xeon also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD processor’s PCIe configuration is not specified in the data. The AMD chip is unlocked for overclocking, while the Intel Xeon is locked.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is the superior processor for all tested workloads. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with a consistent 4.1% margin, meaning any user prioritizing Cinebench performance should choose AMD. The AMD chip’s higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz and newer 12 nm process give it a decisive per-core advantage that the Intel Xeon’s extra cores cannot overcome in these tests.

The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 is not without merit. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 40 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel memory support, make it a capable server or workstation part. However, the benchmark results show that this hardware advantage does not translate into higher scores. The Xeon’s 57th percentile ranking against all CPUs matches the AMD chip’s percentile, but its average benchmark score of 4004 falls short of the AMD’s 4114.

For buyers who need maximum Cinebench performance, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is the only choice. For those who require the Intel Xeon’s specific server features—quad-channel memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, or the locked multiplier for stability in enterprise environments—the Xeon remains a viable option, but not a performance winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the benchmark score difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X scores 14415, while the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 scores 13843, giving AMD a 4.1% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X and the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3’s 3.40 GHz.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has an average benchmark score of 4114, while the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 has an average score of 4004.

Q: Is the AMD processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the consistency of the AMD victory. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X scores 1452 against the Intel Xeon’s 1395, a 4.1% win. The single-core R15 test shows the same margin: 204 for AMD versus 196 for Intel. Moving to Cinebench R20, AMD’s multi-core score of 6054 beats Intel’s 5814, and the single-core score of 854 beats 820. In Cinebench R23, the AMD chip continues its dominance with 14415 multi-core and 2035 single-core, versus Intel’s 13843 and 1954.

The largest absolute margin is in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD leads by 240 points. In percentage terms, every single test shows exactly 4.1% deltaPct, indicating a uniform performance advantage across all rendering workloads. This uniformity suggests the AMD chip’s architectural efficiency and higher clock speeds provide a consistent edge, rather than a workload-specific benefit.

Notably, the Intel Xeon’s 16 cores do not help it close the gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon’s 13843 is just 572 points behind AMD’s 14415, but the percentage gap remains 4.1%. This implies that the AMD chip’s per-core performance is so superior that the Xeon’s extra cores cannot compensate. For users considering Geekbench, the AMD chip also holds the advantage with a multi-core score of 6645 and single-core score of 1256, though no head-to-head Geekbench comparison is available for the Xeon.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X is manufactured by AMD on a 12 nm process with 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 is made by Intel on a 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Xeon has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 40 MB of shared L3. The memory bus is dual-channel on AMD versus quad-channel on Intel, with the Intel part rated at 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The AMD chip is from the 2000 series with a Zen architecture, while the Xeon is from the Haswell-EP generation.

The market segments also differ: AMD targets desktop users with an active production status, while Intel targets server and workstation users with an end-of-life production status. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Xeon is locked. The Intel Xeon has a part number of SR21T, while the AMD chip’s part number is not listed. The AMD processor was released on 2018-09-18, while the Intel Xeon’s release date is not provided.