AMD Ryzen 7 2700 vs Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 and AMD Ryzen 7 2700 occupy the same percentile tier (48th) among all CPUs, yet their benchmark profiles could hardly be more different. The data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 7 2700 dominates the shared multi-threaded workload, while the Xeon counters with a higher clock ceiling and a compact 4-core design aimed at specialized server tasks. This head-to-head comparison draws on only two overlapping Cinebench tests, but the margins in those tests are decisive.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only shared benchmarks between these two processors are Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core tests, and in both, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 takes the win. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 2700 scores 1551 against the Xeon E3-1285 v6’s 818. That is a 47.3% deficit for the Intel part, a massive gap that reflects the core-count disparity: the AMD chip fields 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Xeon offers just 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen’s multi-core score is nearly double the Xeon’s, and this single result explains why the AMD part claims both wins in the head-to-head set.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though with a smaller margin. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 7 2700 scores 161, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 scores 115. That is a 28.6% advantage for AMD. This result is surprising given the Xeon’s higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus the Ryzen’s 4.10 GHz. The benchmark data suggests that the Ryzen’s Zen architecture extracts more instructions per clock in this workload, despite the clock disadvantage. The Xeon’s 4.10 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost do not translate into single-thread superiority in the measured test.

Looking beyond the shared tests, each processor has its own benchmark suite that reflects its intended market. The Xeon E3-1285 v6 posts Cinebench R20 scores of 3409 multi-core and 481 single-core, plus Cinebench R23 scores of 8119 multi-core and 1146 single-core. The Ryzen 7 2700, meanwhile, shows Geekbench results of 6475 multi-core and 1094 single-core. These numbers are not directly comparable across different test suites, but they do indicate that the Ryzen’s multi-threaded advantage is consistent, while the Xeon’s single-core numbers are more modest than its clock speeds would suggest.

The average benchmark scores place the two chips nearly level: the Xeon E3-1285 v6 averages 2348, while the Ryzen 7 2700 averages 2320. The nearest rival data reinforces this parity. The Xeon’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-9600 at 2354 (a -0.3% delta), while the Ryzen 7 2700’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2134 at 2319 (a 0% delta). Interestingly, each processor appears in the other’s nearest rival list: the Ryzen 7 2700 is 1.2% behind the Xeon E3-1285 v6 in average score, while the Xeon is 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X. This indicates that despite the Ryzen’s crushing win in the shared Cinebench tests, the broader benchmark picture is far more balanced.

The Verdict

For multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 is the clear choice. The data shows a 47.3% lead over the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, and the 8-core/16-thread configuration provides double the logical processors. Any application that scales across cores will favor the AMD part, and its 65W TDP delivers that performance at a lower power envelope than the Xeon’s 79W.

For single-threaded tasks, the Ryzen 7 2700 also wins the only shared test, posting a 28.6% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core. However, the Xeon E3-1285 v6 does have a higher boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 4.10 GHz), and its Kaby Lake architecture may excel in workloads not captured by the shared benchmarks. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature the Ryzen 7 2700 lacks, which makes it the appropriate pick for server or workstation builds where data integrity is paramount.

The Ryzen 7 2700 is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, targeting enthusiasts and content creators. The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is a server/workstation part with integrated HD Graphics P630, targeting professional environments. If the workload is heavily threaded and ECC is not required, the Ryzen 7 2700 wins outright. If the use case demands ECC memory or relies on the integrated graphics, the Xeon E3-1285 v6 is the only option of the two, despite its lower raw performance in the shared tests. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, so the decision hinges on the specific workload rather than overall capability.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700 uses the Zen architecture (specifically Zen+ Pinnacle Ridge) on a 12 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It contains 4,800 million transistors across a 213 mm² die.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 2700 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The cache hierarchy also differs: the Xeon offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 2700 provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache—double the L3 capacity of the Intel part.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon in raw terms. The Intel chip runs at a 4.10 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the AMD chip runs at 3.20 GHz base and boosts to 4.10 GHz. The TDP ratings flip the expected order: the Xeon draws 79W despite having fewer cores, while the Ryzen 7 2700 draws 65W with double the cores. This suggests the Ryzen’s 12 nm process is more efficient per core, or that the Xeon’s high clock speeds carry a power cost.

Memory support is another dividing line. Both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, but the Ryzen 7 2700 lists a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the Xeon does not specify a bandwidth figure. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen 7 2700 does not. The Xeon also includes integrated HD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen 7 2700 has no integrated graphics at all.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core count is the most obvious: 4 cores for the Xeon versus 8 for the Ryzen. Thread count follows suit, with 8 threads for Intel and 16 for AMD. Base clock speeds differ by 0.90 GHz, with the Xeon at 4.10 GHz and the Ryzen at 3.20 GHz. Boost clocks differ by 0.40 GHz, with the Xeon at 4.50 GHz and the Ryzen at 4.10 GHz.

TDP is a point of differentiation, with the Xeon rated at 79W and the Ryzen at 65W. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4. The process nodes differ by 2 nm, with Intel at 14 nm and AMD at 12 nm. The foundries are Intel and GlobalFoundries, respectively.

Cache allocations are not just different in size but in structure. The Xeon has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The Ryzen has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Transistor counts are starkly different: 1,400 million for Intel versus 4,800 million for AMD. Die sizes are 160 mm² versus 213 mm².

Memory bandwidth is listed only for the Ryzen at 46.9 GB/s. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon. Integrated graphics are present only on the Xeon via the HD Graphics P630. The market segments differ, with the Xeon targeting Server/Workstation and the Ryzen targeting Desktop. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier; the Xeon does not. The Ryzen 7 2700 has a launch MSRP of $299, while the Xeon has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance according to the shared benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700 wins decisively, scoring 1551 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6’s 818, a 47.3% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 have a higher clock speed than the AMD Ryzen 7 2700?

A: Yes, the Xeon has a 4.10 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock, compared to the Ryzen’s 3.20 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700 does not list ECC support.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: They are nearly identical. The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 averages 2348, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 averages 2320, a difference of just 28 points.

Q: What is the core and thread count for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Ryzen 7 2700 has no integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 includes HD Graphics P630.