CPU Comparison

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E5645 dominates the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE in every benchmark test recorded here, winning all five head-to-head comparisons with a consistent performance advantage of roughly 29%. The Athlon PRO 200GE does not win a single benchmark in this comparison, yet both processors occupy the same 34th percentile among all CPUs, indicating that while the Xeon leads this pairing, neither chip is positioned as a performance leader in the broader market. The Xeon's average benchmark score of 1211 places it exactly on par with the Intel Core i3-7300T, while the Athlon's 1200 average matches the Intel Core i5-3330, highlighting that these are comparable mid-range performers despite the Xeon's clear edge in this direct matchup.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon E5645 wins every recorded benchmark, and the margins are remarkably uniform across both multi-core and single-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 421 against the Athlon's 326, a 29.1% advantage. That exact 29.1% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 1758 versus 1362, and again in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon reaches 4187 compared to 3243. This consistent 29.1% multi-core lead suggests the Xeon's six-core, twelve-thread configuration provides a steady throughput advantage over the Athlon's two-core, four-thread design across all Cinebench versions.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the deltas are slightly larger. The Xeon leads by 29.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core, scoring 248 against 191, and by 29.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core with 591 versus 457. The R15 single-core test is absent from the head-to-head data, but the pattern is clear: the Xeon's 2.40 GHz base clock and 2.67 GHz boost clock outperform the Athlon's 3.20 GHz base clock in single-threaded workloads. This is notable because the Athlon has a substantially higher base clock, yet the older Westmere architecture still delivers superior single-core performance in these benchmarks.

The Athlon PRO 200GE does not appear in the head-to-head Cinebench R15 single-core comparison, nor does it have a Geekbench result in the head-to-head table, despite having Geekbench scores available in its full benchmark list. The available data shows the Athlon's Geekbench multi-core score of 1887 and single-core score of 932, but no Xeon equivalent exists for direct comparison. The wins tally is decisive: 5 wins for the Xeon, 0 for the Athlon. Even the Athlon's strongest benchmark result, its Geekbench multi-core score of 1887, cannot be contextualized against the Xeon because no matching test was recorded for the Intel part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5645 uses the Westmere architecture, specifically the Westmere-EP codename, built on Intel's 32 nm process node with 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. It is a six-core, twelve-thread server and workstation part released in March 2010, now end-of-life, and designed for the Intel Socket 1366 platform. The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, built on GlobalFoundries' 14 nm process with 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die. It is a two-core, four-thread server and workstation part released in September 2018, also end-of-life, and designed for the AMD Socket AM4 platform.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a substantial 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Athlon provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon's triple-channel DDR3 memory bus contrasts with the Athlon's dual-channel DDR4 support, and the Athlon explicitly lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s while the Xeon's bandwidth is not specified. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Athlon does not.

PCIe capabilities also diverge. The Xeon runs PCIe Gen 2, while the Athlon supports PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes on the CPU. The Athlon integrates Radeon Vega 3 graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Athlon's base clock of 3.20 GHz is higher than the Xeon's 2.40 GHz, but the Xeon has a boost clock of 2.67 GHz while the Athlon has no boost clock listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are locked to their respective socket platforms.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's 3x core advantage and 3x thread advantage are reflected in its consistent 29.1% multi-core benchmark lead.

Q: Does the Athlon PRO 200GE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5645 has no integrated graphics, meaning the Xeon requires a discrete GPU while the Athlon can output video without one.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 supports DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, and it supports ECC memory. The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a stated memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, but it does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 wins in single-core tests despite its lower base clock. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 248 versus the Athlon's 191, a 29.8% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 591 versus 457, a 29.3% lead.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No, both processors are end-of-life. The Intel Xeon E5645 was released in March 2010, and the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE was released in September 2018. Neither is currently in production.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 has an average benchmark score of 1211, exactly matching the Intel Core i3-7300T with a 0% delta, and it is 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3. The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE has an average score of 1200, exactly matching the Intel Core i5-3330, and it is 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5645 | AMD Athlon PRO 200GE |

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

| Cores | 6 | 2 |

| Threads | 12 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.67 GHz | None |

| TDP | 80 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Westmere | Zen |

| Codename | Westmere-EP | Zen (Raven Ridge) |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,170 million | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 239 mm² | 192 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 3 |

| Release Date | March 2010 | September 2018 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5645 wins in every benchmark category recorded. It is superior in multi-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with scores of 421, 1758, and 4187 respectively, all beating the Athlon's 326, 1362, and 3243 by exactly 29.1%. It also wins single-core tests, posting 248 in Cinebench R20 and 591 in Cinebench R23, against the Athlon's 191 and 457. The Xeon's 12 MB of shared L3 cache, triple-channel DDR3 memory, and ECC support make it suitable for memory-intensive server workloads, while its six physical cores provide robust parallel processing capability.

The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but it has distinct architectural advantages that matter outside the Cinebench suite. Its integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, making it a complete system-on-chip solution. Its 35 W TDP is less than half the Xeon's 80 W, indicating significantly lower power consumption. The Athlon's 14 nm process node is more modern than the Xeon's 32 nm, and its 4,800 million transistors dwarf the Xeon's 1,170 million, though they are spread across a smaller 192 mm² die. The Athlon supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, both newer standards than the Xeon's DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2.

For raw compute performance, the Xeon is the clear winner. For a compact system requiring integrated graphics, low power draw, modern memory standards, and a newer socket with upgrade potential, the Athlon offers advantages that benchmarks do not capture. The Athlon's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus the Xeon's 2.40 GHz suggests better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks, though the benchmark data contradicts this, as the Xeon wins all recorded single-core tests.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate the Intel Xeon E5645 is the superior processor for raw performance. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons with a consistent 29.1% advantage in multi-core tests and slightly larger 29.3-29.8% leads in single-core tests. The Xeon's six cores, twelve threads, and 12 MB of L3 cache provide a substantial throughput advantage that the Athlon's two cores and four threads cannot match. For users running Cinebench-style workloads or any multithreaded applications, the Xeon is the only choice in this pairing.

The AMD Athlon PRO 200GE should be selected when its unique features matter more than benchmark scores. Its integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, 35 W TDP, DDR4 memory support, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity make it a more modern, power-efficient platform. It also has a much higher transistor count at 4,800 million versus 1,170 million, reflecting its more advanced 14 nm manufacturing process. The Athlon's 3.20 GHz base clock is higher than the Xeon's 2.40 GHz, and its dual-channel memory bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth suits lighter workloads.

The data shows both processors land at the 34th percentile, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical at 1211 for the Xeon and 1200 for the Athlon. This parity in overall standing, despite the Xeon's dominance in this direct comparison, suggests that the Athlon's strengths lie outside the Cinebench suite, likely in its integrated graphics and platform features. Users needing server-grade ECC memory support and maximum multi-core performance should choose the Xeon. Users prioritizing an all-in-one solution with modern connectivity standards and minimal power draw should choose the Athlon. Neither processor is unlocked, so overclocking is not a differentiator. The verdict is straightforward: pick the Xeon for compute, pick the Athlon for platform features.