CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5645 and AMD Ryzen 3 2200G represent two vastly different eras of processor design, separated by eight years of architectural evolution. The data shows a clear generational shift: the older Westmere-based Xeon offers more cores and threads, while the newer Raven Ridge Ryzen counters with dramatically higher single-thread performance, a modern platform, and integrated graphics. This comparison is not merely about core counts but about how architectural priorities have shifted from multi-threaded server throughput to efficient, high-frequency desktop responsiveness.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G dominates in single-core workloads. In the Cinebench R15 single-core test, it scores 145.55 compared to the Xeon E5645's 59, a difference of 59.5%. This massive gap reflects the Ryzen's much higher base and boost clocks of 3.50 GHz and 3.70 GHz, respectively, versus the Xeon's 2.40 GHz and 2.67 GHz.

Q: Does the older Xeon E5645 have any multi-core advantage?

A: No, the benchmark data contradicts this expectation. Despite having 6 cores and 12 threads versus the Ryzen's 4 cores and 4 threads, the Xeon E5645 loses the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. The Ryzen 3 2200G scores 577, while the Xeon scores 421, a 27% deficit for the Intel part. The newer Zen architecture's efficiency overcomes the core count disadvantage.

Q: What are the platform differences regarding memory support?

A: The platforms are entirely different. The Intel Xeon E5645 uses DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G uses DDR4 memory in a dual-channel setup. The Ryzen also has a specified memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Xeon. Furthermore, the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, this is a critical difference. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G features Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5645 has no integrated graphics listed in the data. This makes the Ryzen a complete solution for basic display output without a dedicated GPU.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical overall. The Intel Xeon E5645 has an average benchmark score of 1211, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G has an average score of 1202. Both processors sit in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are closely matched in overall performance, despite their very different strengths and weaknesses.

Q: What are the production statuses of these chips?

A: The Intel Xeon E5645 is marked as end-of-life, having been released in March 2010. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is listed as active in production, with a release date of February 2018. This confirms that the Ryzen is a much more modern and supported product.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors is vast. The Intel Xeon E5645 is built on the Westmere-EP architecture using a 32 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. Its die is 239 mm² in size and contains 1,170 million transistors. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is based on the Zen architecture (codenamed Raven Ridge) and uses a more advanced 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs a significantly higher 4,950 million transistors into a slightly smaller die of 210 mm². This transistor density is a key enabler of the Ryzen's higher clock speeds and efficiency.

The memory architectures also differ fundamentally. The Xeon E5645 supports DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, a hallmark of the older server platform. The Ryzen 3 2200G supports DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, which offers higher bandwidth per module and lower latency. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a feature crucial for server reliability but absent on the Ryzen, which targets the desktop market. The PCIe support also differs, with the Xeon using Gen 2 and the Ryzen using Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. Finally, the Ryzen 3 2200G integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics directly on the die, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon, which relies on a discrete graphics card.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous, with the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G winning both recorded tests. The most striking victory is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the Ryzen scores 145.55 against the Xeon's 59. This 59.5% delta is a stark illustration of IPC (instructions per clock) improvements over the eight years separating these designs. The Ryzen's higher clock speed and much more efficient Zen core architecture simply overpower the older Westmere design in single-threaded tasks.

In the multi-core test, the results are more nuanced but still favor the Ryzen. The Ryzen 3 2200G scores 577, which is 27% higher than the Xeon E5645's 421. This is particularly telling because the Xeon has a 50% core advantage (6 vs 4) and a 200% thread advantage (12 vs 4). The data implies that the Ryzen's per-core efficiency is so high that it not only compensates for the missing cores but also delivers a substantial net win. The Xeon's older architecture, with its lower clock speeds and less efficient pipeline, cannot leverage its additional threads effectively enough to overcome the Ryzen's modern design.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark and define each processor's identity.

• Cores & Threads: The Xeon E5645 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen 3 2200G has 4 cores and 4 threads.
• Clock Speeds: The Xeon E5645 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 2.67 GHz. The Ryzen 3 2200G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.
• Process Node & Foundry: The Xeon E5645 uses a 32 nm process from Intel. The Ryzen 3 2200G uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries.
• Transistors & Die Size: The Xeon E5645 has 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The Ryzen 3 2200G has 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die.
• Cache: The Xeon E5645 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with a 12 MB shared L3. The Ryzen 3 2200G has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with a smaller 4 MB shared L3.
• Memory Support: The Xeon E5645 uses DDR3 in a triple-channel configuration and supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 3 2200G uses DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s and does not support ECC.
• PCIe & Graphics: The Xeon E5645 has Gen 2 PCIe and no integrated graphics. The Ryzen 3 2200G has Gen 3 PCIe with 8 lanes and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics.
• Socket & Market: The Xeon E5645 uses Intel Socket 1366 and targets the Server/Workstation segment. The Ryzen 3 2200G uses AMD Socket AM4 and targets the Desktop segment.
• Other: The Xeon E5645 has a TDP of 80 W and a locked multiplier, while the Ryzen 3 2200G has a TDP of 65 W and an unlocked multiplier. The Ryzen also has a launch MSRP of $99.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear verdict for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is the superior processor for nearly all modern, desktop-centric workloads. Its 59.5% lead in single-core performance and 27% lead in multi-core performance, despite having fewer cores, demonstrates that architectural efficiency trumps raw core counts. The inclusion of Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics also makes it a complete, self-contained platform for a basic PC.

The Intel Xeon E5645, on the other hand, holds appeal only in a very specific legacy context. Its support for ECC memory and triple-channel DDR3 points to its server-grade heritage. However, its end-of-life status, lower clock speeds, and inferior architecture make it a poor choice for general-purpose computing. The data suggests that the Ryzen 3 2200G is the definitive winner for anyone building a new system or upgrading from an older platform.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G wins in all benchmark scenarios recorded. Its victory is most pronounced in single-threaded applications such as older games, everyday productivity tasks, and lightly-threaded software, where its 59.5% performance advantage is decisive. It is also the winner in multi-threaded workloads within the tested Cinebench R15 benchmark, proving its Zen architecture can handle parallel tasks more efficiently than the Xeon's older Westmere design. Furthermore, it is the only one of the two with integrated graphics, making it the clear winner for systems without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Xeon E5645's theoretical wins are not reflected in the benchmark data but can be inferred from its specifications. Its 12 threads and ECC memory support imply it could be considered for legacy server applications that require high thread counts and error-correcting memory. Its triple-channel DDR3 memory bus is another server-oriented feature. However, the data shows that these features do not translate into superior performance in the tested Cinebench workloads, and the Ryzen 3 2200G remains the performance leader across the board.