AMD Ryzen 3 2200G vs Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G are both four-core, four-thread processors, yet they target completely different segments of the market. The Xeon is a low-power server and workstation part built on Intel’s Skylake architecture, while the Ryzen is a desktop APU from AMD’s Raven Ridge family. The benchmark data in the database shows a clear performance gap between the two, with the Ryzen 3 2200G winning both recorded head-to-head tests, but the Xeon brings enterprise features like ECC memory support and a much lower power envelope. This analysis relies strictly on the recorded measurements and specification fields to determine which processor wins where and for whom.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records two direct comparisons between these processors, both from the Cinebench suite, and both are decisive wins for the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 577 points against the Xeon’s 429 points. That is a 25.6% advantage for the AMD part, a substantial margin for processors with the same core and thread count. The Xeon’s lower clock speeds are the obvious factor: it runs at a base of 2000 MHz and boosts to 3000 MHz, while the Ryzen runs at 3500 MHz base and 3700 MHz boost. The multi-core result reflects sustained throughput across all four cores, and the Ryzen’s higher clocks allow it to pull well ahead.

The single-core Cinebench R15 result is even more lopsided. The Ryzen 3 2200G scores 145.55 points, while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 scores only 60 points. That is a 58.8% deficit for the Intel part. This is a massive gap in single-threaded performance, far larger than the clock speed difference would suggest. The Xeon’s 3000 MHz boost clock versus the Ryzen’s 3700 MHz boost clock explains part of it, but the magnitude of the difference indicates the Xeon’s performance per clock is significantly lower in this workload, or the chip is heavily constrained by its 25 W thermal design power. The Ryzen, with a 65 W TDP, has far more thermal headroom to sustain high clocks under load.

The overall average benchmark score in the database tells a similar story. The Xeon E3-1235L v5 has an average score of 1232, while the Ryzen 3 2200G has an average of 1202. These are very close, but the Xeon actually edges ahead in this aggregate metric. However, this average includes a wider set of tests than the head-to-head comparisons, and the Ryzen’s recorded benchmark set includes Geekbench scores that are not present for the Xeon. The Xeon’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-8109U at 1235 (0.2% higher), the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 at 1235 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i5-2500 at 1220 (1% lower), and the Intel Core i7-3610QM at 1244 (1% higher). The Ryzen’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3330 at 1200 (0.2% lower), the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE at 1200 (0.2% lower), the Intel Xeon D-1527 at 1207 (0.4% higher), and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B at 1196 (0.5% lower). Both processors sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall standing despite the Ryzen’s decisive wins in the direct comparisons.

The head-to-head table shows the Ryzen winning 2 out of 2 tests, with no wins for the Xeon. The multi-core delta of 25.6% and single-core delta of 58.8% are the only direct measurements available, and they consistently favor the AMD part. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering, the Ryzen 3 2200G is clearly the faster processor.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is the significantly faster processor in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench workloads. The 58.8% single-core advantage is particularly striking and suggests that the Xeon E3-1235L v5 is heavily constrained, likely by its 25 W TDP and low clock speeds. Anyone choosing between these two strictly on benchmark performance should select the Ryzen.

However, the Xeon is not without a case. It supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not, and it is designed for the server and workstation market segment. Its 25 W TDP is less than half of the Ryzen’s 65 W, making it a better fit for power-constrained environments. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen supports only DDR4. The Xeon’s memory bandwidth is listed at 34.1 GB/s, compared to the Ryzen’s 46.9 GB/s, so the AMD part also wins on memory throughput. The Xeon’s launch MSRP was $250, while the Ryzen’s launch MSRP was $99, but pricing considerations are not part of this analysis.

For a desktop user building a system for general computing, rendering, or gaming, the Ryzen 3 2200G is the clear winner based on the recorded benchmarks. For a server or workstation deployment where ECC memory is required and power consumption is critical, the Xeon E3-1235L v5 has the feature set that matters, despite its lower performance. The Ryzen’s unlocked multiplier is another point in its favor for enthusiasts, while the Xeon is locked. The production status also differs: the Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is active.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 is built on Skylake, specifically the Skylake-DT codename, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename. Both are fabricated on a 14 nm process node, but the foundry differs: Intel produces its own chip, while GlobalFoundries produces the AMD part. The transistor counts are very different. The Xeon has 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die, while the Ryzen has 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Ryzen packs nearly three times the transistors into a die that is less than twice the size, which reflects the integrated Vega graphics and the larger cache structure.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Xeon has twice the L3 cache, but the Ryzen has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches. The Ryzen’s smaller L3 is a notable trade-off, but its higher clock speeds compensate in most workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Xeon includes HD Graphics P530, while the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 8. The database does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs, so no quantitative comparison is possible, but the Vega 8 is generally a more capable part in absolute terms. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the Ryzen does not. Memory support also differs: the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the Ryzen supports only DDR4. Both are dual-channel, but the Ryzen’s memory bandwidth is 46.9 GB/s versus the Xeon’s 34.1 GB/s.

PCIe lanes also differ. The Xeon provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. This is a meaningful difference for workstation tasks that require multiple expansion cards or high-bandwidth peripherals. The Xeon’s 16 lanes are a point in its favor for server workloads.

The market segments are clearly different. The Xeon is aimed at server and workstation use, while the Ryzen is a desktop part. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active. The Ryzen’s multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Xeon’s is not. The Ryzen’s release date is later in the database, which is consistent with its newer architecture generation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G scores 577 points in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 scores 429 points. The Ryzen leads by 25.6%.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The Ryzen 3 2200G scores 145.55 points in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the Xeon scores 60 points. That is a 58.8% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G does not.

Q: What are the power consumption figures?

A: The Xeon has a TDP of 25 W, while the Ryzen has a TDP of 65 W. The Xeon uses significantly less power.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Xeon provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each?

A: The Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon has twice the L3 capacity.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G wins in raw computational performance. The Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core tests both go to the Ryzen, with margins of 25.6% and 58.8% respectively. The Ryzen also has a higher memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s, larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.00 GHz. The Ryzen’s unlocked multiplier gives it additional flexibility for overclocking, and its integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics are present in the database as a feature. The Ryzen is the right choice for desktop workloads where processing speed is the priority, such as rendering, general productivity, and any task that benefits from higher clock speeds.

The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 wins in enterprise-oriented features. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for error-sensitive server and workstation applications, and it supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system design. The Xeon has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, twice the Ryzen’s 8 lanes, which matters for systems with multiple GPUs or high-bandwidth storage controllers. The Xeon also has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the Ryzen’s 4 MB, which can help in certain cache-sensitive workloads. The Xeon’s 25 W TDP is less than half of the Ryzen’s 65 W, making it the better choice for power-constrained deployments. The Xeon’s market segment is listed as server and workstation, and it is end-of-life, but for environments that need ECC, low power, and more PCIe lanes, the Xeon remains the appropriate part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Xeon has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3000 MHz, while the Ryzen has a base clock of 3500 MHz and a boost clock of 3700 MHz. The Xeon’s TDP is 25 W, the Ryzen’s is 65 W. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1151, the Ryzen uses the AMD Socket AM4. The Xeon’s architecture is Skylake with the Skylake-DT codename, while the Ryzen uses Zen with the Raven Ridge codename. The Xeon is manufactured by Intel on a 14 nm process with 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die; the Ryzen is made by GlobalFoundries on 14 nm with 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die.

Cache configurations differ: 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 4 MB shared L3. Memory support also differs: the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4, the Ryzen supports only DDR4. Memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s for the Xeon and 46.9 GB/s for the Ryzen. ECC memory support is present on the Xeon but absent on the Ryzen. The Xeon has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, the Ryzen has 8. Integrated graphics are HD Graphics P530 on the Xeon and Radeon Vega 8 on the Ryzen. The Xeon is a server and workstation part that is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is an active desktop part. The Xeon’s multiplier is locked, the Ryzen’s is unlocked. The Xeon’s launch MSRP was $250, the Ryzen’s was $99.