AMD Ryzen 3 1300X vs Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X dominates in single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen scored 152 against 75 for the Xeon, a 102.7% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen scored 947 versus 750, a 26.3% advantage.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core workloads?

A: The results are split. The Ryzen 3 1300X wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 558 points versus 535 points for the Xeon E5-1428L v2, a 4.3% edge. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon wins decisively with 5316 points against 3486, a 34.4% lead for the Intel part.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 has 6 cores and 12 threads, giving it a substantial thread advantage in highly parallel workloads.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory. The Ryzen 3 1300X uses DDR4 memory, while the Xeon E5-1428L v2 uses DDR3 memory.

Q: Are these CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is listed as Active in production. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is listed as End-of-life.

The Verdict

The database comparison shows a clear split between two very different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is a modern desktop chip built for responsiveness and single-thread speed. The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 is a server/workstation processor engineered for parallel throughput and memory capacity.

For builders prioritizing gaming, everyday desktop use, or any application that leans on single-core performance, the Ryzen 3 1300X is the obvious pick. Its single-core margins are enormous: 102.7% in Cinebench R15 and 26.3% in Cinebench R23. It also wins the older multi-core test in Cinebench R15 by 4.3%. The unlocked multiplier is a bonus for enthusiasts who want to push clock speeds higher.

For workloads that scale across many threads, the Xeon E5-1428L v2 is the better choice. Its 6 cores and 12 threads deliver a 34.4% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The triple-channel DDR3 memory bus, while lower in raw bandwidth at 32.0 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, offers a different memory topology suited for server tasks. The Xeon also has more PCIe lanes at 24 versus 16, which matters for expansion-heavy server configurations.

The average benchmark scores are close: 1562 for the Ryzen versus 1537 for the Xeon. The percentile rankings are also similar, 39th percentile for the Ryzen and 38th for the Xeon. The decision ultimately comes down to workload type, not overall average performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows three wins for the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X and one decisive win for the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2.

Cinebench R15 Multi-Core: The Ryzen 3 1300X scores 558, beating the Xeon's 535 by 4.3%. This is a modest win, indicating that the Ryzen's higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.70 GHz boost) can compensate for the Xeon's extra cores in this older test.

Cinebench R15 Single-Core: This is the largest gap in the entire comparison. The Ryzen scores 152, more than double the Xeon's 75, a 102.7% difference. The Xeon's low 2.20 GHz base clock and 2.70 GHz boost clock severely limit its single-thread performance.

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core: The Xeon takes a commanding lead here. It scores 5316 against the Ryzen's 3486, a 34.4% margin. The Xeon's 6 cores and 12 threads are fully utilized in this modern rendering workload. The Ryzen's 4 cores and 4 threads cannot keep pace.

Cinebench R23 Single-Core: The Ryzen rebounds with a 947 score versus 750 for the Xeon, a 26.3% win. This confirms that the Ryzen's architecture is fundamentally faster per thread, even as the Xeon's parallel advantage grows in multi-core tests.

The pattern is consistent: the Ryzen excels at any single-threaded task, while the Xeon only wins when all its cores and threads are engaged.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification.

Core and Thread Count: The Ryzen 3 1300X has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon E5-1428L v2 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon offers 50% more cores and 200% more threads.

Clock Speeds: The Ryzen runs at 3.40 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Xeon runs at 2.20 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The Ryzen has a significant clock advantage at both ends.

Thermal Design Power: The Ryzen is rated at 65 W TDP. The Xeon is rated at 60 W TDP. Despite having fewer cores, the Ryzen draws slightly more power, likely due to its higher clock speeds.

Socket: The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1356. These are not interchangeable.

Memory Support: The Ryzen supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon supports DDR3 memory with a triple-channel bus and a bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s.

PCIe Lanes: The Ryzen provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

Market Segment: The Ryzen is a Desktop processor. The Xeon is a Server/Workstation processor.

Release Date: The Ryzen launched on 2017-07-26. The Xeon launched on 2014-01-08, making it over three years older.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial.

Process Node: The Ryzen 3 1300X is built on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The Xeon E5-1428L v2 is built on a 22 nm process by Intel. The smaller node gives the Ryzen a transistor density advantage.

Transistor Count and Die Size: The Ryzen packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Xeon has 1,860 million transistors on a 257 mm² die. The Ryzen fits more than twice as many transistors on a smaller die, a direct result of the newer process.

Architecture Generation: The Ryzen uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge. The Xeon uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, specifically Ivy Bridge-EN. Zen is a modern design with high single-thread efficiency, while Ivy Bridge is an older architecture optimized for server throughput.

Cache Hierarchy: The Ryzen has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a larger 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon's larger L3 cache benefits multi-threaded server workloads, while the Ryzen's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches support its single-thread advantage.

Multiplier Unlock: The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, allowing easy overclocking. The Xeon's multiplier is locked, limiting frequency tuning.

Integrated Graphics: Neither processor includes integrated graphics. Both require a discrete GPU.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1300X wins for: Single-threaded applications, older multi-threaded workloads, and any task that benefits from higher clock speeds. The data shows a 102.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 26.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its 4.3% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core also shows it can hold its own in less demanding parallel tasks. The unlocked multiplier makes it a better fit for enthusiasts who want to tune performance. Its DDR4 memory support offers higher bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s, which benefits memory-sensitive desktop applications.

The Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 wins for: Modern multi-threaded rendering and heavily parallel server workloads. The 34.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the strongest result in the entire comparison. The 6 cores and 12 threads allow it to process more simultaneous work. The 15 MB of shared L3 cache and 24 PCIe lanes make it suitable for server tasks that require large caches and extensive expansion. The triple-channel DDR3 memory bus provides a different memory architecture that can be advantageous in specific server configurations. Its lower 60 W TDP also means slightly less heat output in dense server environments.

The database clearly separates these two: the Ryzen 3 1300X is a responsive desktop part, while the Xeon E5-1428L v2 is a throughput-oriented server chip. Choose based on whether your workload favors single-thread speed or parallel scaling.