AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X vs Intel Xeon E-2278GE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear, consistent picture. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Xeon E-2278GE. The wins range from 4.8% to 5.2% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. This is a uniform performance advantage, not a workload-specific quirk.

The Threadripper 1900X is the pick for raw compute performance. It delivers higher scores in every recorded test, and its average benchmark score of 4073 sits above the Xeon's 3939. The data indicates a roughly 3.4% advantage in the aggregate average score. The Threadripper also carries a higher launch MSRP of $549, while the Xeon launched at $519. The Xeon E-2278GE is the pick for specific platform requirements: it supports ECC memory, includes integrated graphics, and operates at a much lower TDP of 80 watts compared to the Threadripper's 180 watts. The Xeon also targets the server/workstation segment, while the Threadripper is a desktop part. Both processors share the same core and thread count of 8 cores and 16 threads, and both use a 14 nm process node.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X. It wins all three multi-core tests: Cinebench R15 (1440 vs 1372), R20 (6000 vs 5719), and R23 (14286 vs 13619). The deltas are 5%, 4.9%, and 4.9% respectively.

Q: Are these two CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes. Both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X and the Intel Xeon E-2278GE have a percentile rank of 57 against all CPUs in the database. Despite the Threadripper winning every head-to-head test, their overall standing among all recorded processors is identical.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2278GE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2278GE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X does not list ECC memory support in its specifications.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GE includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics P630. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: How do their single-core scores compare in the latest Cinebench version?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X scores 2016, which is 4.9% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2278GE's score of 1922.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X has a production status of Active. The Intel Xeon E-2278GE is listed as End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X uses the Zen architecture, specifically from the Whitehaven generation, built on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It has a die size of 2x 213 mm² and contains 9,600 million transistors. The Intel Xeon E-2278GE uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, built on a 14 nm process by Intel. Its die size is 180 mm², and no transistor count is listed in the database.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Threadripper provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a total of 32 MB of L3 cache. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Threadripper has twice the L3 cache capacity, which can benefit workloads with larger working sets.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The Threadripper supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Xeon supports dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Threadripper's memory bandwidth is double the Xeon's, which can matter for memory-intensive tasks.

PCIe connectivity differs significantly. The Threadripper provides 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This gives the Threadripper far more expansion headroom for multiple GPUs or high-speed storage devices.

The Xeon includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), a feature absent from the Threadripper. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, whereas the Threadripper does not. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon's multiplier is locked.

The sockets are incompatible. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. The market segments also differ: the Threadripper is classified as Desktop, and the Xeon is classified as Server/Workstation.

Specification Differences

The two processors share 8 cores and 16 threads, but their clock speeds differ. The Threadripper has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Xeon has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Xeon boosts higher, but the Threadripper has a higher base clock. The TDP difference is substantial: the Threadripper is rated at 180 watts, while the Xeon is rated at 80 watts.

Memory support differs in channel count and bandwidth. The Threadripper uses quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon.

PCIe lanes differ: the Threadripper offers 60 Gen 3 lanes, the Xeon offers 16 Gen 3 lanes. Integrated graphics are present only on the Xeon. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier; the Xeon does not.

The sockets are different: SP3r2 for the Threadripper, Socket 1151 for the Xeon. The production status differs as well: the Threadripper is Active, the Xeon is End-of-life. The release dates are different, with the Threadripper released earlier. The launch MSRP for the Threadripper is $549, and for the Xeon it is $519.

The process node is identical at 14 nm, but the foundries differ: GlobalFoundries for the Threadripper, Intel for the Xeon. The cache hierarchy differs in both per-core and shared capacities, as detailed in the architecture section.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 1440 against the Xeon's 1372, a 5% advantage. In R15 single-core, the Threadripper scores 203 against 193, a 5.2% advantage. This is the largest single-core delta in the dataset.

Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern. The Threadripper scores 6000 in multi-core against 5719, a 4.9% lead. In single-core, the Threadripper scores 846 against 807, a 4.8% lead. That 4.8% delta is the smallest margin recorded between the two.

Cinebench R23 results follow the trend. The Threadripper scores 14286 in multi-core against 13619, a 4.9% lead. In single-core, the Threadripper scores 2016 against 1922, also a 4.9% lead. The consistency of the delta across R15, R20, and R23 suggests the performance gap is stable regardless of the benchmark version or workload intensity.

The Geekbench results are only recorded for the Threadripper, with a multi-core score of 6588 and a single-core score of 1205. No Geekbench scores are listed for the Xeon, so no direct comparison is possible for that test suite.

The average benchmark score reinforces the head-to-head results. The Threadripper has an average score of 4073, while the Xeon has an average score of 3939. The nearest rivals for the Threadripper include the Intel Xeon E-2278G with an average score of 4052 and a delta of 0.5%, the Intel Core i5-12500TE with 4083 and a delta of -0.3%, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X with 4114 and a delta of -1%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS with 4121 and a delta of -1.2%. The Xeon E-2278GE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS with 3924 and a delta of 0.4%, the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U with 3958 and a delta of -0.5%, the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 with 3959 and a delta of -0.5%, and the Intel Core i7-6900K with 3970 and a delta of -0.8%.

The data shows that the Xeon E-2278GE sits very close to the Threadripper in the aggregate database standings, with both at the 57th percentile. The Xeon's nearest rivals cluster within a narrow band from 3924 to 3970, while the Threadripper's nearest rivals cluster from 4052 to 4121. This places the Threadripper in a slightly higher-performing neighborhood, even though both CPUs occupy the same overall percentile. The Xeon E-2278GE, despite its lower raw scores, competes in a similar performance tier, but the Threadripper's consistent wins in every Cinebench test make it the stronger choice for compute-bound applications.