AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS vs Intel Xeon D-2733NT Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-2733NT and AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they serve entirely different purposes. The data shows a split decision: the Xeon wins multi-core and single-core in Cinebench R23, while the Ryzen dominates in Cinebench R15 and offers a lower TDP. The Verdict is straightforward: choose the Xeon D-2733NT for sustained, high-throughput server workloads where raw R23 performance matters most; choose the Ryzen 9 5900HS for mobile or power-sensitive builds where the R15 wins and the 35W TDP are critical.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate a clear trade-off between these two CPUs. The Intel Xeon D-2733NT is the stronger choice for compute-heavy, server-oriented tasks. It leads in the more modern Cinebench R23 tests, scoring 8.1% higher in multi-core and a massive 31.8% higher in single-core compared to the AMD part. This makes it the pick for workloads that scale with sustained performance and per-thread efficiency in newer rendering engines.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is the winner for mobile and compact systems. It beats the Xeon by 32% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 17.5% in R15 single-core, showing its strength in legacy applications and lighter, bursty workloads. Its 35W TDP, versus the Xeon's 80W, makes it the only viable option for thin-and-light laptops or passively cooled industrial PCs, where heat dissipation is a primary constraint. The Xeon, with its 80W TDP and quad-channel memory, is designed for always-on server racks, not a desk drawer.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon D-2733NT is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, using the Ice Lake-D architecture (codename Ice Lake-D). It is a server-grade part, as evidenced by its support for ECC memory, quad-channel DDR4, and PCIe Gen 4 with 32 CPU lanes. Its cache layout is 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 15 MB of shared L3.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is a mobile part using TSMC's 7 nm process with the Zen 3 (Cezanne) architecture. It has a smaller per-core cache footprint (64 KB L1, 512 KB L2) but a larger shared L3 pool at 16 MB. It uses dual-channel DDR4 memory, lacks ECC support, and is limited to PCIe Gen 3. The AMD chip also integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated GPU listed. The Ryzen's transistor count is 10,700 million on a 180 mm² die, whereas the Xeon's transistor count and die size are not provided. The core counts are identical, but the supporting infrastructure—memory channels, PCIe generation, and process node—are where the differences lie.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins in scenarios that demand maximum throughput in modern benchmarks. Its 31.8% lead over the Ryzen in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest margin of any test, indicating superior per-thread performance in current software. The 8.1% lead in R23 multi-core further solidifies its position for rendering, compilation, or virtualization workloads that use the latest instruction sets and optimizations. Its quad-channel memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s) and ECC support make it the only choice for memory-intensive, error-sensitive server tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS wins in legacy and power-constrained environments. Its 32% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 17.5% in R15 single-core suggests it excels in older applications that do not scale with the Xeon's newer architecture. More importantly, the 35W TDP is a decisive factor. It allows the Ryzen to be deployed in systems where the Xeon's 80W TDP would require massive cooling and power delivery, such as ultrabooks, mini-PCs, or fanless embedded systems. The Ryzen’s integrated graphics also give it a win for basic display output without a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon D-2733NT's 3.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-2733NT supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon offers 85.3 GB/s via a quad-channel memory bus, while the Ryzen provides 68.3 GB/s through a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which CPU is better for Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2733NT wins with a score of 13775, which is 8.1% higher than the Ryzen's 12745.5.

Q: Which CPU has the lower power draw?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a TDP of 35W, significantly lower than the Intel Xeon D-2733NT's 80W.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a perfect 2-2 split, but the margins tell a nuanced story. The most significant win for the Intel Xeon D-2733NT is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 1944 against the Ryzen's 1475.5. That is a 31.8% delta, a massive gap that indicates the Xeon's Ice Lake architecture is far more efficient per clock in the newest rendering tests. The Xeon also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 13775 versus 12745.5, an 8.1% advantage that confirms its sustained performance lead in modern multi-threaded workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS counters with decisive wins in the older Cinebench R15 suite. In multi-core, it scores 2041 against the Xeon's 1388, a 32% delta that flips the result entirely. This suggests the Ryzen's Zen 3 cores are significantly faster in legacy instruction paths. The Ryzen also wins R15 single-core with 236.5 versus 195, a 17.5% margin. These are not small differences; they indicate that software optimized for older APIs will run considerably faster on the AMD chip.

The overall average benchmark scores are close—the Xeon averages 3984 versus the Ryzen's 3924—but this hides the divergent performance profiles. The Xeon sits in the 57th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen is in the 56th, making them peers in overall standing. However, the Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2336 (0% delta) and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G (0.2% delta), while the Ryzen 9's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U (-0.9% delta). This shows the Ryzen's average is pulled down by its weaker R15 performance, despite its wins there.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark and define their respective use cases. The Intel Xeon D-2733NT uses an Intel BGA 2579 socket, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS uses an AMD Socket FP6. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz, whereas the Ryzen has a base of 3.00 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz. The TDP is a major divider: 80W for the Xeon versus 35W for the Ryzen.

Memory support differs significantly. The Xeon runs DDR4 in quad-channel mode with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC. The Ryzen runs DDR4 in dual-channel mode with 68.3 GB/s and no ECC. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the Xeon provides Gen 4 with 32 CPU lanes, while the Ryzen is limited to Gen 3. The cache structures are distinct, with the Xeon having 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core plus 15 MB shared L3, versus the Ryzen's 64 KB L1, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Xeon has none. The market segments confirm this: the Xeon is a Server/Workstation part, while the Ryzen is a Mobile processor. Finally, the process nodes differ—Intel's 10 nm for the Xeon versus TSMC's 7 nm for the Ryzen—and the release dates are roughly a year apart, with the Ryzen launching in January 2021 and the Xeon in February 2022.