AMD Ryzen 3 2200U vs Intel Xeon X3440 Comparison

The Intel Xeon X3440 and AMD Ryzen 3 2200U represent two vastly different eras of processor design, yet their aggregate benchmark scores place them in a surprisingly close contest. The Xeon X3440, a server/workstation part from the Nehalem generation, posts an average benchmark score of 815, while the mobile-focused Ryzen 3 2200U scores 805. This places both chips at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are entry-level performers by modern standards. The data shows a single head-to-head comparison in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U decisively wins with a score of 312 against the Intel Xeon X3440's 238, a delta of -23.7% from the perspective of the Intel part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark in the data is Cinebench R15 multi-core, and the results are one-sided. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U scores 312, which is 31.1% higher than the Intel Xeon X3440's 238. This is a significant margin, especially considering the fundamental design differences between the two processors. The Ryzen 3 2200U achieves this with only 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon X3440 has double the core count at 4 cores and 8 threads. The benchmark results indicate that the newer Zen architecture, despite its lower core and thread count, delivers superior multi-threaded performance in this specific test. The deltaPct of -23.7 confirms the scale of the defeat for the Xeon.

Looking at other benchmark results from the broader data set, a more nuanced picture emerges. The Intel Xeon X3440 has results for multiple Cinebench versions, including a R20 multi-core score of 994 and a R23 multi-core score of 2368. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U does not have matching results for these specific tests, so a direct comparison is not possible. However, the Ryzen 3 2200U shows its strength in Geekbench, scoring 1880 in multi-core and 911 in single-core. The Xeon X3440 lacks Geekbench results, so its performance in that suite is unknown. In the available single-core data, the Xeon X3440 scores 140 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 334 in R23 single-core, while the Ryzen 3 2200U scores 117 in Cinebench R15 single-core. These are different benchmark versions, so direct numerical comparison is not valid, but the Xeon's higher scores in the newer R20 and R23 tests suggest it has competitive single-thread performance despite its age.

The nearest rivals for each chip provide additional context for their performance tiers. The Intel Xeon X3440's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-L16G7, with an average score of 816, a delta of -0.1%. It also trades blows with the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 and Intel Core i7-5550U, both at 813, and the Intel Xeon E5540 at 820. This places the Xeon X3440 in a cluster of older and low-power processors. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon X5482, with an identical average score of 805. It also matches the AMD Athlon X4 850 at 806 and the Intel Core i5-3320M at 803, while the Intel Core i7-870S is slightly ahead at 809. These rival clusters show that both chips operate in the same performance envelope, despite their different architectures and intended markets.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U wins in the single direct comparison available, the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. This is its clear victory condition. The data suggests that for workloads that are similar to this benchmark—typically 3D rendering or other heavily threaded tasks—the Ryzen 3 2200U has a distinct advantage. Its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to the Xeon's 2.93 GHz, likely contributes to its performance in this test, as does the more efficient Zen architecture. The Ryzen 3 2200U also has the benefit of integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, which the Xeon X3440 lacks entirely, giving it a win in any scenario requiring basic graphics output without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Xeon X3440 wins in scenarios where its higher core and thread count can be utilized, though the benchmark data does not show a direct win. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 994 and R23 multi-core score of 2368 are strong indicators of sustained multi-threaded performance, but without a matching Ryzen 3 2200U result, this remains an inference. The Xeon also has a higher base clock of 2.53 GHz versus the Ryzen's 2.50 GHz, though the Ryzen's boost clock is significantly higher. The Xeon's support for ECC memory is a definitive win for server and workstation reliability use cases, as the Ryzen 3 2200U does not support ECC. Its larger 8 MB shared L3 cache, compared to the Ryzen's 4 MB, may also provide an advantage in certain data-intensive workloads where cache locality is critical.

The data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 3 2200U wins where modern architecture and clock speed matter most in lightly threaded or moderately threaded tasks, while the Xeon X3440 has theoretical advantages in core count and server-specific features. For a user running modern, well-optimized software, the Ryzen 3 2200U is likely the better performer. For legacy applications that scale with core count, the Xeon X3440 might hold its own, but the single head-to-head result suggests the Ryzen's architectural efficiency overcomes the core count disadvantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is faster, scoring 312 compared to the Intel Xeon X3440's 238, a difference of 31.1%.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon X3440 have more cores than the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U?

A: Yes. The Intel Xeon X3440 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon X3440 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon X3440 has an average benchmark score of 815, and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has an average score of 805.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics. The Intel Xeon X3440 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon X3440 supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The core specifications of the two processors diverge significantly. The Intel Xeon X3440 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 2.93 GHz; the Ryzen has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Xeon has a TDP of 95 watts, while the Ryzen is rated at 15 watts. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1156, while the Ryzen uses the AMD Socket FP5. The Xeon's market segment is Server/Workstation, and the Ryzen's is Mobile. The Xeon supports DDR3 memory, while the Ryzen supports DDR4. The Xeon has a memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, and the Ryzen has 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, and the Ryzen does not. The Xeon has PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the Ryzen has PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, and the Ryzen has Radeon Vega 3. Finally, the Xeon was released in 2009 and is end-of-life, while the Ryzen was released in 2018 and is active.

Architecture Differences

The architectural differences between the two chips are profound, reflecting nearly a decade of processor evolution. The Intel Xeon X3440 is built on the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfiled codename, using a 45 nm process node from Intel. It contains 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is built on the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, using a 14 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It contains 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen's process node is three generations ahead, allowing for a much higher transistor count in a smaller die size. The Ryzen also features integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, a capability entirely absent from the Xeon. The Xeon's larger 8 MB L3 cache is a notable advantage for its era, but the Ryzen's newer architecture and higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 21.3 GB/s) help offset this. The Ryzen's PCIe Gen 3 support is also newer than the Xeon's Gen 2, though the Xeon offers more CPU-only lanes at 16 versus 8.