AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE across every Cinebench workload in the comparison suite. In the six benchmark runs, the AMD part wins all six, with the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 failing to claim a single test. The margins are remarkably uniform, hovering around 2.5% in every discipline, which suggests the advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 3 5300GE scores 1101 against the Xeon's 1074, a 2.5% lead. The single-core R15 run tells a similar story: 155 versus 151, a 2.6% edge for AMD. Moving to R20, the multicore result shows 4589 for AMD and 4475 for Intel, again a 2.5% gap, while the single-core test lands at 647 versus 631, another 2.5% margin. The R23 suite repeats the pattern with a multicore score of 10927 against 10656, and a single-core score of 1542 against 1504, both at 2.5% deltas.

What stands out here is not the size of the win, but its consistency. The Xeon has twice the core count and twice the thread count, yet it cannot convert that resource advantage into a multicore victory. The Ryzen 3 5300GE, with only 4 cores and 8 threads, stays ahead by a small but unwavering margin in every test. This points to a substantial per-thread efficiency gap that fully compensates for the Xeon's extra hardware.

The average benchmark score reinforces the picture, though the gap narrows. The Ryzen 3 5300GE posts an average of 3160, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 sits at 3082, a difference of roughly 2.5% as well. The percentile rankings are close too: the AMD chip lands in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs, the Intel part in the 52nd. These are not dramatically different positions, but the head-to-head results show the AMD part ahead in every direct comparison.

For context, the Ryzen 3 5300GE's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U with an average score of 3159 (a 0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U at 3162 (a -0.1% delta), and the Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 at 3163 (also -0.1%). The Xeon E5-1660 v3, meanwhile, sits near the Intel Core i7-6850K at 3079 (a 0.1% delta), the Intel Core i7-8700B at 3086 (a -0.1% delta), and the Intel Xeon W-2133 at 3087 (a -0.2% delta). These clusters show both processors are in the same performance tier, but the AMD part sits slightly higher within that tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 wins none. The AMD part takes R15 multicore and single-core, R20 multicore and single-core, and R23 multicore and single-core.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE leads by 2.5% in all three multicore tests: R15 (1101 versus 1074), R20 (4589 versus 4475), and R23 (10927 versus 10656). The margin is consistent across all three.

Q: Does the Xeon's higher core count help it in any benchmark?

A: No. Despite having 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 trails in every multicore test by the same 2.5% margin. The extra cores do not translate into a win.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE has an average benchmark score of 3160, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 averages 3082. This is a difference of 78 points, or roughly 2.5%.

Q: How do the two processors rank against all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE is in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is in the 52nd percentile. Both are close to the median, with the AMD part ranked one percentile higher.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE scores 1542, compared to the Xeon's 1504, a 2.5% advantage. The same pattern holds in R15 (155 versus 151, a 2.6% lead) and R20 (647 versus 631, a 2.5% lead).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-EP, on a 22 nm process at Intel. The node difference is substantial, with the AMD part using a far more advanced manufacturing process.

Die size and transistor counts reflect this gap. The Ryzen 3 5300GE packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 contains only 2,600 million transistors on a larger 356 mm² die. This means the AMD chip fits more than four times the transistors onto roughly half the silicon area, which explains much of its per-thread efficiency advantage.

Cache layouts differ as well. The Ryzen 3 5300GE has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with an 8 MB L3 cache. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 also has 64 KB of L1 per core, but only 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 20 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD part's larger per-core L2 likely contributes to its strong single-thread performance, while the Xeon's larger L3 helps with shared workloads but cannot overcome its older core design.

Memory support shows a notable divergence. Both support DDR4, but the Ryzen 3 5300GE uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, a 33% advantage in theoretical memory throughput. However, this does not translate into a benchmark win for the Xeon, as the Ryzen's faster cores and lower latency appear to compensate.

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 3 5300GE does not. This reflects their intended markets: the Xeon is a server and workstation part, while the Ryzen is aimed at desktop use. The Xeon also offers far more PCIe connectivity, with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides 16 lanes, both at Gen 3 speeds.

Integrated graphics mark another difference. The Ryzen 3 5300GE includes Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the AMD part a self-contained solution, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious specification gap. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, exactly double. Clock speeds favor the AMD part: the Ryzen has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Xeon runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The AMD chip is both faster per clock and clocked higher.

Thermal design power shows a massive difference. The Ryzen 3 5300GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 draws 140 watts. This is a fourfold difference in thermal envelope, meaning the AMD part delivers comparable or better performance at a fraction of the power draw.

Sockets differ entirely. The Ryzen 3 5300GE uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. These are not interchangeable platforms, and the surrounding motherboards, chipsets, and memory layouts are completely different.

The process node, as noted, is 7 nm for AMD and 22 nm for Intel. The transistor counts are 10,700 million versus 2,600 million, and the die sizes are 180 mm² versus 356 mm². Memory channels differ, with dual-channel on the AMD part and quad-channel on the Intel part. Bandwidth figures are 51.2 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the AMD part and present on the Intel part.

PCIe lanes differ as well: 16 for the Ryzen, 40 for the Xeon. Integrated graphics are present on the AMD part (Radeon Vega 6) and absent on the Intel part. The Ryzen 3 5300GE has a release date of April 2021 and is still in active production, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 dates to September 2014 and is end-of-life. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, and both lack a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, which makes the use-case split straightforward. For single-threaded workloads, the AMD part is the clear choice. Its R23 single-core score of 1542 versus the Xeon's 1504, and its R20 single-core score of 647 versus 631, show a consistent 2.5% advantage that would carry over to lightly threaded applications, older games, and everyday desktop tasks that rely on one or two strong cores.

For multicore workloads, the result is counterintuitive. Despite the Xeon's 8 cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen 3 5300GE still wins by 2.5% in R15, R20, and R23 multicore. This means the AMD part is the better choice for most rendering and encoding tasks as well, at least within the Cinebench family. The Xeon's extra cores simply do not compensate for its older, slower architecture and lower clock speeds.

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 does have areas where its specifications suggest advantages, even if the benchmarks do not confirm them. Its quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, versus the Ryzen's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s, could benefit memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads that are not captured by Cinebench. Its 40 PCIe lanes, versus 16 on the AMD part, make it better suited for systems with multiple GPUs, NVMe drives, or other high-bandwidth expansion cards. Its ECC memory support is a requirement for certain workstation and server environments where data integrity is critical.

The Xeon also offers a much larger 20 MB shared L3 cache, which could help in workloads that repeatedly access a large working set. However, the benchmark data shows that for the tested Cinebench workloads, this cache advantage does not translate into a win.

For power-constrained or compact builds, the Ryzen 3 5300GE is the obvious pick. Its 35 watt TDP versus the Xeon's 140 watts means it can be cooled with a modest air cooler and used in small form factor systems. Its integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display or media playback scenarios. The Xeon requires a discrete GPU and a robust cooling solution, plus a motherboard with a 2011-3 socket, which typically comes with a larger power delivery system.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE wins all six recorded benchmarks and offers the better power efficiency, newer architecture, and integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 counters with more cores, more memory bandwidth, more PCIe lanes, and ECC support, but none of these advantages show up in the Cinebench results. For workloads that fit the benchmark suite, the AMD part is the winner. For specialized server or workstation tasks that leverage the Xeon's memory channels, PCIe lanes, or ECC capabilities, the Intel part retains a role, but the recorded data does not demonstrate any performance win for it.