AMD Ryzen 7 4980U vs Intel Xeon E-2334 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a split decision between the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U and the Intel Xeon E-2334, with each processor claiming two benchmark wins. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U posts a score of 1658 against the Intel Xeon E-2334's 1041. That is a 59.3% advantage for the AMD part, a commanding lead in a test that scales heavily with thread count. The Xeon E-2334's 4 cores and 8 threads are simply outmatched by the Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads in this older render workload.

The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U scores 182, while the Intel Xeon E-2334 scores 146. The delta is 24.7% in favor of AMD. It is notable that the Xeon E-2334 has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to the Ryzen's 4.40 GHz, yet the data shows AMD winning this particular single-threaded test. The architectural efficiency of the Zen 2 design appears to offset the raw clock disadvantage in this workload.

The tables turn when looking at the newer Cinebench R23 suite. In the multi-core R23 test, the Intel Xeon E-2334 scores 10333, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U scores 9164. The Xeon leads by 11.3%. This is a significant reversal from the R15 multi-core result. The gap suggests that the Intel part's newer architecture and higher sustained clocks matter more in this more demanding render workload, despite having half the cores and threads.

The single-core R23 result also favors Intel. The Xeon E-2334 scores 1458, while the Ryzen 7 4980U scores 1260. The delta is 13.6% in favor of Intel. This is another reversal, as AMD had won the R15 single-core test. The Xeon's 4.80 GHz boost clock and Rocket Lake architecture clearly deliver stronger per-thread performance in the R23 benchmark. The average benchmark score, which combines all recorded tests, shows the AMD part at 3066 and the Intel part at 2988. The AMD chip holds a slight edge overall, but each processor demonstrates clear strengths in specific scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U wins decisively in workloads that resemble the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. Its 59.3% advantage in that benchmark indicates a substantial lead in older, heavily threaded applications that do not fully utilize the newer instruction sets and memory optimizations present in R23. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration provides a raw parallelism advantage that the Intel part cannot counter in this context. The R15 single-core win, by 24.7%, also suggests that the AMD chip handles legacy single-threaded tasks better than its clock speed would imply.

The Intel Xeon E-2334 wins in modern rendering workloads as represented by Cinebench R23. Its 11.3% lead in multi-core R23 shows that when the workload is current and demanding, the Xeon's architecture extracts more performance per thread. The 13.6% lead in single-core R23 further confirms that the Intel part is the stronger choice for contemporary single-threaded tasks. The Xeon's higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus the AMD's 34.1 GB/s likely contributes to this advantage in data-intensive render tests. Additionally, the Xeon supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for server and workstation environments. The AMD part does not support ECC, making the Xeon the only option here for users who require error-correcting memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, using a 7 nm process node at TSMC. It packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E-2334 uses the Rocket Lake architecture, codenamed Rocket Lake-E, on Intel's 14 nm process. Its die size is 276 mm², and the database records no transistor count for this part. The smaller, denser AMD process node allows for more cores in a smaller physical footprint.

The core configurations differ sharply. The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD chip's L1 cache is 64 KB per core, while the Intel chip has 80 KB per core. Both have 512 KB of L2 cache per core and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support also diverges: the AMD chip uses LPDDR4 memory, while the Intel chip uses DDR4. Both are dual-channel, but the Intel part's memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s compared to the AMD part's 34.1 GB/s.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U includes integrated Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors, making it a complete APU solution. The Intel Xeon E-2334 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server-focused processor. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel part uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Intel chip supports ECC memory, the AMD chip does not. The AMD part is a mobile processor on the AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel part is a server or workstation processor on Intel Socket 1200. The AMD part was released in April 2021 and is end-of-life, while the Intel part was released in September 2021 and remains active.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice based on workload. For users running older multi-threaded applications, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the stronger performer. Its 59.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 24.7% lead in R15 single-core demonstrate that it dominates the Intel Xeon E-2334 in legacy software. The AMD part's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a significant advantage in these scenarios, and its lower 15 W TDP suggests it would be a more efficient choice for such tasks.

For modern rendering workloads, the Intel Xeon E-2334 is the better option. Its 11.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 13.6% lead in R23 single-core show that it outperforms the AMD part in current software. The Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, larger memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, and ECC memory support make it the more appropriate choice for a server or workstation environment. The Xeon also has a launch MSRP of $250, which is the only pricing data recorded.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U suits a mobile or compact system where integrated graphics and lower power consumption are priorities. The Intel Xeon E-2334 suits a dedicated server or workstation where ECC memory, PCIe Gen 4, and modern render performance are required. The average benchmark score slightly favors AMD at 3066 versus 2988, but the specific workload determines the correct pick.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U wins with a score of 1658 against the Intel Xeon E-2334's 1041, a 59.3% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2334 wins with a score of 10333 against the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U's 9164, an 11.3% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U does not support ECC memory. The Intel Xeon E-2334 supports ECC memory.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2334 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Intel Xeon E-2334 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors. The Intel Xeon E-2334 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 4980U | Intel Xeon E-2334 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 276 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 512SP | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2021-04-12 | 2021-09-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $250 |