AMD Ryzen 3 2200U vs Intel Xeon X5482 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data places these two processors at identical average scores of 805, with the Intel Xeon X5482 and AMD Ryzen 3 2200U each occupying the 22nd percentile among all CPUs. This statistical tie, however, masks fundamentally different strengths. The Ryzen 3 2200U wins the only directly comparable head-to-head benchmark, the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, scoring 312 against the Xeon's 235 — a 24.7% advantage. For anyone running modern, lightly-threaded workloads or needing an integrated GPU, the Ryzen 3 2200U is the clear choice from the data. The Xeon X5482, despite being end-of-life since its 2007 release, remains competitive in older multi-threaded tests like Cinebench R20 and R23, where its four physical cores and four threads produce scores of 983 and 2341 respectively. The Ryzen 3 2200U, with two cores and four threads, does not have comparable R20 or R23 results in the dataset, so those benchmarks cannot be directly compared. The verdict hinges on workload: the Ryzen 3 2200U is the better all-around performer in the shared benchmark, while the Xeon X5482 offers a legacy server platform with ECC memory support and a 150 W TDP that suggests a workstation context. The Ryzen's 15 W TDP and active production status make it the more sensible pick for mobile or energy-conscious builds, whereas the Xeon's 150 W TDP and server segment point to stationary, high-throughput environments where power efficiency is secondary.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core performance in the shared benchmark?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U scores 312 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon X5482 scores 235. The Ryzen leads by 24.7%.

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

A: Both the Intel Xeon X5482 and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U have an identical average benchmark score of 805. Their percentile ranking among all CPUs is also the same at 22.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Xeon X5482 supports DDR2 and DDR3 depending on the motherboard, with dual-channel memory bus. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U supports DDR4 with dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU includes an integrated graphics processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U includes the Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon X5482 has no integrated graphics.

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

A: The Intel Xeon X5482 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Is ECC memory supported by both processors?

A: No. The Intel Xeon X5482 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon X5482 uses the Core 2 architecture with the codename Harpertown, built on a 45 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It integrates 820 million transistors across a die size of two 107 mm² dies. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U uses the Zen architecture with the codename Raven Ridge, built on a 14 nm process node at GlobalFoundries. This newer process packs 4,950 million transistors into a single 210 mm² die. The transistor count difference is stark: the Ryzen 3 2200U contains over six times as many transistors as the Xeon X5482, despite being a mobile part.

Cache hierarchies also diverge significantly. The Intel Xeon X5482 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 6 MB of L2 cache per die, with no L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The presence of L3 cache in the Ryzen is a notable architectural advancement, as it allows more efficient data sharing between cores. The Xeon's lack of L3 cache is compensated by a larger L2 allocation per die, but the overall cache strategy reflects its older design.

Memory architecture differs as well. The Xeon X5482 supports DDR2 and DDR3 memory dependent on the motherboard, while the Ryzen 3 2200U exclusively supports DDR4 with a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Ryzen also uses PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2. The Ryzen includes the Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon, which relies on a discrete GPU in its server/workstation role.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors differ in nearly every field. The Intel Xeon X5482 has 4 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 3.20 GHz, and no boost clock. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U has 2 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Thermal design power is dramatically different: the Xeon draws 150 W, while the Ryzen draws just 15 W — a tenfold difference.

Sockets differ completely: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 771, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP5. The Xeon is a server/workstation part released in 2007 and is now end-of-life, with a launch MSRP of $1279. The Ryzen is a mobile part from the 2000 series, released in 2018, and remains active in production. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 3. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon but not the Ryzen. The Xeon's memory bus is dual-channel with DDR2/DDR3 support, while the Ryzen's is dual-channel with DDR4 and a specified bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon is not multiplier-unlocked, and neither is the Ryzen. Part numbers are SLANZSLBBG for the Xeon and YM2200C4T2OFB for the Ryzen.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single head-to-head benchmark in the dataset is Cinebench R15 multi-core. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U scores 312, while the Intel Xeon X5482 scores 235. This gives the Ryzen a 24.7% lead. The deltaPct value of -24.7 is expressed from the perspective of the Xeon, indicating it trails the Ryzen by that margin. This is a substantial win for a 15 W mobile processor against a 150 W server part.

Looking at the broader benchmark sets, the Xeon X5482 has results in Cinebench R20 multi-core (983), R20 single-core (138), R23 multi-core (2341), and R23 single-core (330). The Ryzen 3 2200U has results in Cinebench R15 single-core (117), Geekbench multi-core (1880), and Geekbench single-core (911). These benchmarks do not overlap except for Cinebench R15 multi-core, so direct comparisons are limited. However, the Xeon's R20 and R23 scores, while not comparable to the Ryzen, indicate its sustained multi-threaded capability. The Ryzen's Geekbench scores of 1880 multi-core and 911 single-core demonstrate its modern architecture's efficiency in both single and multi-threaded tasks.

The nearest rivals for both processors are identical, which reinforces their close overall standing. The AMD Athlon X4 850 scores 806 with a deltaPct of -0.1 relative to the average of 805. The Intel Core i5-3320M scores 803 with a deltaPct of 0.3. The Intel Core i7-870S scores 809 with a deltaPct of -0.4. These rivals bracket the two processors within a narrow 6-point range, from 803 to 809, confirming that the Xeon X5482 and Ryzen 3 2200U sit in a tightly contested performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200U wins in the only directly comparable benchmark, Cinebench R15 multi-core, with a 24.7% advantage. This makes it the stronger choice for applications that resemble this workload — moderately threaded, modern rendering tasks. The Ryzen also offers integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely, making it the only option for systems without a discrete GPU. Its 15 W TDP, active production status, and DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth further favor it in mobile or compact builds where power consumption and modern memory standards matter. The Ryzen's 4 MB of L3 cache and per-core L2 cache provide a modern cache hierarchy that benefits contemporary software.

The Intel Xeon X5482 wins in the context of legacy server and workstation environments. Its 4 cores and 4 threads provide raw multi-threaded throughput in older Cinebench versions, with R20 multi-core scoring 983 and R23 multi-core scoring 2341. These scores, while not directly comparable to the Ryzen due to missing data, show the Xeon can still handle multi-threaded rendering tasks. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a critical feature for data integrity in server workloads, and its dual-die design with 6 MB of L2 per die offers substantial cache capacity for its era. The Xeon's launch MSRP of $1279 reflects its original positioning as a high-end server part, and its Socket 771 platform is suited for multi-socket configurations. For workloads that rely on older software optimized for high clock speeds without boost behavior, the Xeon's 3.20 GHz base clock provides consistent performance. End-of-life status means it is no longer produced, but for existing server infrastructure, the Xeon remains a capable part.