AMD Ryzen 3 5300G vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300G and Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 are two desktop processors separated by five years of release dates and fundamentally different design philosophies. The Ryzen 3 5300G is a modern 4-core, 8-thread part built on TSMC's 7 nm process with a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 is an 8-core, 16-thread server-derived chip on Intel's 14 nm process with a 140 W TDP. Benchmark data from the Cinebench suite shows that despite the Xeon’s core-count advantage, the gap in performance is remarkably narrow across every test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is surprisingly one-sided in favor of the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4, which wins all six recorded comparisons, but the margins are consistently tight. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 1137 against the Ryzen’s 1114, a delta of -2%. The single-core R15 test follows the same pattern: the Xeon’s 160 edges out the Ryzen’s 157, again by -1.9%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 4739 for the Xeon versus 4645 for the Ryzen, a -2% difference, while single-core shows 669 against 655, a -2.1% gap. The newest benchmark in the set, Cinebench R23, repeats the trend: the Xeon leads multicore with 11285 to 11060 (-2%) and single-core with 1593 to 1561 (-2%).

What this means in practice is that the Xeon’s 8-core, 16-thread configuration does overcome the Ryzen’s newer architecture, but only by a hair. The largest advantage the Xeon holds in any test is 2.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core, which is within run-to-run variance for most workloads. The Ryzen 3 5300G, with half the cores and threads, is never more than 2% behind in multicore tests, and actually posts a higher Geekbench multicore score (5467) than the Xeon’s average benchmark score would suggest, though Geekbench data is only provided for the AMD part. The Xeon’s percentile rank of 53 versus the Ryzen’s 54 places them in essentially the same performance tier among all CPUs, with the Ryzen holding a marginal edge in overall percentile standing despite losing every head-to-head test.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the Ryzen 3 5300G averages 3303, while the Xeon E5-1660 v4 averages 3264. This means the Ryzen’s overall score is actually 1.2% higher than the Xeon’s, despite losing every direct comparison. This discrepancy arises because the Ryzen’s Geekbench results (5467 multicore, 1768 single-core) are included in its average, while no Geekbench data exists for the Xeon, pulling its average down relative to the Cinebench-only head-to-head results. In the nearest rivals lists, both processors cluster around similar competitors: the Ryzen sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-11400T, Core i5-11500T, and Xeon E-2374G, while the Xeon is within 0.4% of the Xeon E5-1680 v3, AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516, and Core i3-12100T.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the head-to-head data?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore tests. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300G wins zero of these six direct matchups.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two in multicore workloads?

A: The Xeon leads by 2% in each multicore test: R15 (1137 vs 1114), R20 (4739 vs 4645), and R23 (11285 vs 11060). This is a consistent but small margin given the Xeon has twice the cores and threads.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 5300G have any performance advantage over the Xeon?

A: Yes, in aggregate. The Ryzen has a higher average benchmark score of 3303 versus the Xeon’s 3264, and a higher percentile rank of 54 versus 53. Its Geekbench multicore score of 5467 and single-core score of 1768 are not matched by any Xeon benchmark data.

Q: What is the core and thread difference between the two chips?

A: The Ryzen 3 5300G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Xeon also has a larger shared L3 cache of 20 MB versus the Ryzen’s 8 MB.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G does not. The Xeon also uses quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the Ryzen’s dual-channel 51.2 GB/s.

Q: What are the production status and release dates for these chips?

A: The Ryzen 3 5300G is listed as Active and was released on 2021-04-12. The Xeon E5-1660 v4 is listed as End-of-life and was released on 2016-06-19.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these processors is substantial. The Ryzen 3 5300G uses AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. The Xeon E5-1660 v4 uses Intel’s Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell-EP, fabricated on a 14 nm process at Intel. It contains 3,400 million transistors on a larger 246 mm² die. The transistor density difference is stark: the Ryzen crams over three times as many transistors into a smaller area, which explains its significantly lower 65 W TDP versus the Xeon’s 140 W.

Cache layouts also diverge. The Ryzen provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Xeon offers 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but compensates with a much larger 20 MB shared L3 cache. The Xeon’s larger L3 is typical of server-oriented parts designed for data-heavy workloads, while the Ryzen’s smaller, faster-per-core cache fits its desktop focus. The Ryzen’s integrated graphics are a Radeon Vega 6 GPU, giving it a full display output capability that the Xeon completely lacks, as it has no integrated graphics at all.

The memory controllers differ as well. The Ryzen supports dual-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and no ECC support. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and full ECC support. PCIe connectivity also favors the Xeon, which offers 40 lanes of Gen 3 versus the Ryzen’s 16 lanes of Gen 3. The Ryzen’s multiplier is unlocked for overclocking, while the Xeon’s is locked. Finally, the Ryzen’s socket is AMD Socket AM4, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, meaning they are not interchangeable in any motherboard.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 doubles both to 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz for the Ryzen versus 3.20 GHz for the Xeon, and boost clocks are 4.20 GHz versus 3.80 GHz, respectively. The Ryzen’s TDP is 65 W, less than half the Xeon’s 140 W. The process node is 7 nm for the Ryzen and 14 nm for the Xeon. Transistor counts are 10,700 million versus 3,400 million, and die sizes are 180 mm² versus 246 mm².

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: the Ryzen has 512 KB L2 per core and 8 MB L3, while the Xeon has 256 KB L2 per core and 20 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for the Ryzen (dual-channel) versus 76.8 GB/s for the Xeon (quad-channel). ECC memory is unsupported on the Ryzen but supported on the Xeon. PCIe lanes are 16 for the Ryzen and 40 for the Xeon, both Gen 3. The Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier and part number 100-000000253; the Xeon is locked with part number SR2PK. Production status is Active for the Ryzen and End-of-life for the Xeon.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. If the priority is raw multi-threaded throughput in Cinebench-style workloads, the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 is the winner on paper, taking all six head-to-head tests by a slim 2% margin. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with 20 MB of shared L3 and quad-channel memory bandwidth, make it the stronger choice for applications that scale across many threads. Its ECC memory support and 40 PCIe lanes also position it for workstation or server-adjacent tasks where data integrity and expansion are critical. However, the Xeon is end-of-life, carries a launch MSRP of $1113, and has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300G, despite losing every direct benchmark comparison, posts a higher average benchmark score (3303 vs 3264) and a higher percentile rank (54 vs 53). Its 7 nm process delivers a 65 W TDP, making it dramatically more power-efficient than the Xeon’s 140 W. It is an Active product with integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, an unlocked multiplier, and a newer release date of 2021-04-12. For a user building a compact, low-power desktop that does not need ECC memory or massive PCIe expansion, the Ryzen offers nearly identical Cinebench performance within 2% of the Xeon, but in a fraction of the power envelope and with onboard graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins in every measured benchmark category: Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multicore. Its consistent 2% lead across all six tests suggests it has a slight edge in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded scenarios, likely due to its larger L3 cache and higher core count. It also wins on platform features that are not benchmarked: ECC memory support, quad-channel memory bandwidth (76.8 GB/s), 40 PCIe lanes, and a 20 MB shared L3 cache. These make it the better choice for memory-intensive, multi-device, or reliability-focused builds where error-correcting memory and expansion capacity matter more than power efficiency.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300G wins on efficiency and overall standing. Its 65 W TDP versus 140 W means it delivers 95% of the Xeon’s Cinebench performance at less than half the power draw. Its higher average benchmark score (3303 vs 3264) and better percentile rank (54 vs 53) indicate that in the broader CPU landscape, it is marginally better positioned. It wins on integrated graphics, having Radeon Vega 6 while the Xeon has none, making it a self-contained solution for basic display needs. It also wins on modern process technology (7 nm vs 14 nm), unlocked multiplier, active production status, and a much lower transistor count on a smaller die, all pointing to a more efficient and future-proof design. For a system that prioritizes low power, silent operation, or casual gaming without a discrete GPU, the Ryzen is the clear winner.