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

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data presents a clear, if narrow, hierarchy. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with its margins ranging from 3.2% to 3.4% over the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE. For users who prioritize raw multi-threaded throughput in applications like video encoding or 3D rendering, the Xeon is the statistically superior choice, even if by a slim margin. It also holds a slight edge in single-core performance, making it the more consistently quick processor across the board.

However, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE is not without its own advantages. It achieves this near-parity with a drastically lower power envelope and a much more modern platform. The data shows the Xeon has a TDP of 140, while the Ryzen sips at 35. This makes the Ryzen the obvious pick for compact, power-efficient, or thermally constrained builds where the 140-watt requirement of the Xeon is a non-starter. Furthermore, the Ryzen 3 5300GE includes integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, allowing for a fully functional system without a discrete GPU, a feature completely absent from the Xeon part.

The 53rd percentile ranking for both CPUs in the database underscores their similarity in overall performance. The Xeon E5-1660 v4 is the choice for legacy, high-core-count-capable workstations on the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform that can handle its power and cooling demands. The Ryzen 3 5300GE is the clear winner for modern, efficient, and flexible system builds on the AMD Socket AM4 platform, particularly when an iGPU is a requirement.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by more than just a generation; they represent fundamentally different design philosophies and platform ecosystems.

The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 is a Broadwell-EP part, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a large 20 MB shared L3 cache. The Xeon supports DDR4 memory across a quad-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory and offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. This is a high-end workstation processor, evidenced by its launch MSRP of $1113 and a power draw of 140 W.

In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE is a Zen 3 part from the Cezanne generation, built on TSMC's 7 nm process node. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache configuration is different: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a smaller 8 MB of L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4, but over a dual-channel bus, yielding a lower peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. It does not support ECC memory and provides only 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Critically, it integrates Radeon Vega 6 graphics, and its TDP is a mere 35 W.

The architectural contrast is stark. The Xeon relies on a higher core count and a massive L3 cache to drive performance, while the Ryzen uses a more efficient process node and higher clocks to close the gap with half the cores. The Ryzen's transistor count of 10,700 million on a 180 mm² die versus the Xeon's 3,400 million on a 246 mm² die illustrates the density advantage of the 7 nm process, but the Xeon's larger L3 cache and quad-channel memory controller are designed for server-like workloads that benefit from high data throughput.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the data, the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins in every single benchmark test recorded. Its victories are consistent, with a 3.3% margin in multi-core tests and a 3.2% to 3.4% margin in single-core tests. This indicates a slight but universal performance advantage in CPU-bound tasks. The Xeon's 8-core, 16-thread configuration and 20 MB of L3 cache give it an edge in heavily threaded workloads, while its 3.80 GHz boost clock keeps it competitive even in lightly threaded tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE, despite losing every benchmark, wins in the broader context of system design. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for small form factor PCs and always-on systems where heat and power are primary concerns. The presence of the Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics means it can power a full desktop experience without the need for a separate graphics card. Its active production status and more modern Socket AM4 platform also make it a more forward-looking choice for new system builds. The Xeon, by contrast, is end-of-life and requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Therefore, the Xeon wins on pure computational performance, while the Ryzen wins on platform flexibility, power efficiency, and overall system integration.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering tasks?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 is faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scored 11285 compared to the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE's 10927, a 3.3% advantage. This pattern holds for Cinebench R20 and R15 multi-core tests as well.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE better for a small, quiet PC build?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 3 5300GE has a TDP of 35, which is significantly lower than the Xeon's 140 TDP. This makes it much easier to cool quietly and requires less power, which is ideal for compact systems. It also has integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE does not have ECC memory support in its specifications.

Q: How do their single-core performances compare?

A: The Xeon has a slight edge. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scored 1593 versus the Ryzen's 1542, a 3.3% difference. The Xeon also leads in Cinebench R20 and R15 single-core tests by margins of 3.4% and 3.2%, respectively.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4's boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: What are the platform differences?

A: The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform with quad-channel DDR4 memory and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Ryzen uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform with dual-channel DDR4 memory and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is remarkably consistent, showing a uniform performance advantage for the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 across all six Cinebench tests. The margins never exceed 3.4%, indicating a tightly contested comparison despite the architectural differences.

In the multi-core tests, the Xeon's advantage is steady. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scored 1137 against the Ryzen's 1101, a 3.3% lead. This result is almost exactly replicated in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon's 4739 outpaces the Ryzen's 4589, again by 3.3%. The trend continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with the Xeon scoring 11285 and the Ryzen 10927, a 3.3% difference. These results show that the Xeon's extra cores and larger cache provide a consistent, if modest, throughput advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

The single-core results tell a similar story. The Xeon wins Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 160 versus the Ryzen's 155, a 3.2% margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon's 669 beats the Ryzen's 647 by 3.4%. Finally, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 1593 against the Ryzen's 1542, a 3.3% advantage. Interestingly, the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz does not translate into a single-core victory, suggesting that the Xeon's architecture and memory subsystem compensate for its lower 3.80 GHz boost clock.

The largest single margin for either CPU is the Xeon's 3.4% win in Cinebench R20 single-core. The smallest is its 3.2% win in Cinebench R15 single-core. With the Xeon winning all 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the data points to a processor that is slightly better in every measured scenario, making the choice between the two dependent on factors beyond raw CPU performance, such as platform features and power efficiency.