AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U vs Intel Xeon E-2146G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U and the Intel Xeon E-2146G occupy different corners of the processor market: one is a mobile-focused, power-efficient part, while the other is a workstation-class chip for fixed systems. The benchmark data reveals a surprising split: each processor wins exactly three of the six head-to-head tests, and the overall average scores are remarkably close. The Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U averages 3456 across its recorded benchmarks, while the Xeon E-2146G averages 3410, a difference of roughly 1.3%. Both sit at the 54th percentile among all CPUs in the database, suggesting they deliver similar overall performance despite their architectural and market differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result comes from the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U posts a score of 1756 against the Xeon E-2146G’s 1130. That is a 55.4% advantage for AMD, a massive gap driven by the Ryzen’s 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Xeon’s 6 cores and 12 threads. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story, with the Ryzen scoring 229 versus 159, a 44% lead. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they indicate that in this older rendering workload, the Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is decisively faster in both threaded and single-threaded execution.

However, the tables turn completely in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. Here, the Intel Xeon E-2146G takes the multicore crown with 11214 points against the Ryzen’s 10095, a 10% lead. The single-core R23 result also favors Intel, with 1583 versus 1441, a 9% advantage. This reversal is curious: the R15 and R23 tests are both Cinebench renderings, yet the relative performance flips. The data suggests that the Xeon’s higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) and its Coffee Lake architecture may respond better to the R23 workload’s characteristics, possibly due to differences in how the two processors sustain boost clocks under sustained rendering loads. The Ryzen’s boost clock is identical at 4.50 GHz, but its power envelope is far lower (15W TDP versus 80W), which may limit sustained performance in longer, more demanding tasks.

The Geekbench results further complicate the picture. In Geekbench multicore, the Xeon wins again, scoring 6283 against the Ryzen’s 5661, a 9.9% margin. This aligns with the R23 multicore trend, suggesting the Intel part handles multi-threaded integer and floating-point workloads more effectively in these newer benchmarks. Yet in Geekbench single-core, the Ryzen edges ahead with 1551 versus 1540, a slim 0.7% win. That margin is tiny, but it shows that the AMD core is not outclassed in single-threaded performance; the two are essentially tied in that metric.

Overall, the head-to-head tally is 3 wins for each, but the magnitude of the wins differs sharply. AMD’s victories in R15 are lopsided (55.4% and 44%), while Intel’s wins in R23 and Geekbench multicore are more modest (9-10%). The Ryzen’s single-core Geekbench win is negligible, but its R15 single-core win is substantial. This pattern suggests that the Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U excels in workloads similar to Cinebench R15, while the Xeon E-2146G is stronger in newer, more complex rendering and general-purpose multi-core tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to distinct use-case strengths. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is clearly dominant in legacy rendering workloads, as evidenced by its 55.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 44% lead in R15 single-core. That sort of performance would benefit applications that rely on older OpenGL or DirectX-based rendering pipelines, or software that has not been updated to take advantage of newer instruction sets. The Ryzen’s 8 cores and 16 threads give it a raw thread count advantage, and its Zen 3 architecture appears to handle these older workloads with exceptional efficiency. For users running legacy CAD, 3D modeling, or video encoding tools that are optimized for older Cinebench-style rendering, the Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is the clear choice.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G, on the other hand, wins in the most current rendering benchmark, Cinebench R23, with a 10% multicore lead and a 9% single-core lead. It also wins Geekbench multicore by 9.9%. This suggests that for modern multi-threaded workloads, such as contemporary video editing, 3D rendering with current software, or scientific computing, the Xeon is the stronger performer. The Geekbench multicore result is particularly telling, as it covers a broad range of tasks including encryption, compression, and image processing. The Xeon’s higher base clock likely helps in short bursts, and its 80W TDP allows it to sustain high frequencies for longer periods, which is critical in modern multi-threaded applications that scale with sustained throughput.

In single-threaded tasks, the two are nearly tied in Geekbench (0.7% difference), but the Ryzen wins big in R15 single-core. For everyday productivity, office applications, and light multitasking, either processor would suffice, but the Ryzen’s lower power draw (15W versus 80W) makes it far more suitable for laptops and compact devices. The Xeon’s strength is in fixed workstations where power consumption is less of a concern and sustained multi-core performance is paramount.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two is wide. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. It uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Barcelo-R, and is part of the 7000 series. The processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its TDP is just 15W, a hallmark of mobile efficiency. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache, combined with the 7 nm process, allows the Ryzen to excel in bandwidth-sensitive workloads, as reflected in its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G is a completely different beast. It is built on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 154 mm², and it uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-S WS. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its TDP is 80W, a significant power draw but still manageable for a workstation. The cache is smaller: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory bandwidth is rated at 42.7 GB/s, lower than the Ryzen’s 51.2 GB/s. Both processors support DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode and both support ECC memory, which is crucial for workstation reliability. Both also use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The most consequential difference is the process node and core count. The Ryzen’s 7 nm process allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, while the Xeon’s 14 nm process is older and less efficient. The Ryzen’s 8 cores versus 6 cores gives it a thread advantage, but the Xeon’s higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) compensates in scenarios where clock speed matters more than core count. The Ryzen’s larger L3 cache (16 MB versus 12 MB) and higher memory bandwidth suggest it can feed its cores more effectively, yet the benchmark data shows the Xeon winning in modern multi-threaded tests, indicating that raw clock speed and sustained boost behavior may outweigh cache and bandwidth advantages.

Another notable difference is the integrated graphics. The Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U includes Radeon Graphics (Vega 8), while the Xeon E-2146G includes HD Graphics P630. For systems that rely on integrated graphics, the Ryzen’s Vega 8 is likely more capable, though the database does not provide specific graphics benchmarks. The market segments also differ: the Ryzen is designed for mobile, while the Xeon is for server/workstation. This is reflected in the Ryzen’s socket (AMD Socket FP6) versus the Xeon’s Intel Socket 1151.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a nuanced picture. If your workload involves legacy rendering applications similar to Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is the overwhelming winner, offering 55.4% more multicore performance and 44% more single-core performance than the Xeon. This is a massive advantage that cannot be ignored for older software stacks. Additionally, the Ryzen’s 15W TDP makes it ideal for portable or power-constrained systems, and its 8 cores provide a thread count advantage that benefits heavily threaded legacy tasks.

On the other hand, for modern rendering, general multi-threaded computing, and Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Xeon E-2146G is the better choice. It leads by 10% in Cinebench R23 multicore, 9% in R23 single-core, and 9.9% in Geekbench multicore. These are consistent, meaningful margins that indicate the Xeon is better suited for current-generation software. Its higher base clock and 80W TDP allow it to sustain performance where the Ryzen’s mobile design may throttle or run out of thermal headroom.

The choice depends entirely on the software environment. For a fixed workstation running modern tools, the Xeon E-2146G is the data-backed pick. For a mobile device, or for workloads that rely on older rendering engines, the Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U is superior. The two processors are closely matched in overall average score (3456 versus 3410), but their performance profiles diverge sharply across benchmark generations. Users should match the processor to the specific applications they intend to run, rather than relying on a single aggregate score.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U has an average benchmark score of 3456, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G averages 3410. The difference is roughly 1.3% in favor of AMD.

Q: How do the core counts differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives AMD a 33% advantage in core count.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins with a score of 11214 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U’s 10095, a 10% lead for Intel.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80W. The Ryzen is far more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. They also both use DDR4 in dual-channel mode.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U was released on 2023-01-03, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G was released on 2018-07-11. The Ryzen is several years newer and is still in active production, whereas the Xeon is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U | Intel Xeon E-2146G |

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

| Series | 7000 series | Xeon E-2100 series |

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15W | 80W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Barcelo-R | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Generation | Ryzen 7 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 154 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics (Vega 8) | HD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2018-07-11 |

| Part Number | 100-000000948 | SR3WT |