AMD Ryzen 3 5425U vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U and the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 represent two very different approaches to computing: a modern, efficient mobile processor versus a legacy high-core-count workstation part. While both land at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, their benchmark profiles reveal that the Xeon holds a decisive edge in raw throughput, whereas the Ryzen counters with architectural modernity and efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clear winner in the only two directly comparable tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 10,656, versus 5,954.5 for the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U. That is a 44.1% deficit for the Ryzen, a massive gap that reflects the Xeon’s doubling of cores and threads (8 cores/16 threads versus 4 cores/8 threads). The Xeon’s multi-core advantage is not marginal; it is the difference between a processor that can chew through heavily threaded workloads and one that will struggle.

Single-core performance is closer but still favors the Intel part. The Xeon E5-1660 v3 posts 1,504 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Ryzen 3 5425U manages 1,332. That is an 11.4% lead for the Xeon, a notable result given the Ryzen’s much newer Zen 3 architecture and higher 4.10 GHz boost clock. The Xeon’s 3.50 GHz boost is lower, yet its older Haswell design still wins this head-to-head, suggesting that raw clock-for-clock efficiency is not enough to overcome the Xeon’s higher base frequency and larger cache hierarchy in this specific test.

Looking at broader averages, the two processors are effectively tied. The Ryzen 3 5425U has an average benchmark score of 3,124, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 sits at 3,082. That is a difference of only 1.4% in favor of the AMD chip, which aligns with both parts occupying the same 52nd percentile. However, this aggregate number masks the divergent strengths: the Ryzen’s scores come from Geekbench results (3,880 multi-core, 1,328 single-core) and Cinebench R23, whereas the Xeon’s average is buoyed by its dominant Cinebench R23 result and respectable Cinebench R20 scores (4,475 multi-core, 631 single-core).

The head-to-head table only lists two comparable benchmarks, and the Xeon wins both. This is not a close contest in direct comparison. Yet the Ryzen’s nearest rivals tell a different story. The Ryzen 3 5425U sits just 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS (3,122 average) and 0.9% above the Ryzen 5 5625U (3,096), placing it firmly in the mid-range mobile tier. Meanwhile, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 is 0.1% above the Intel Core i7-6850K (3,079) and 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X (3,068), showing it competes with desktop-class parts from its era.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3, with a score of 10,656 versus the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U’s 5,954.5. The Xeon leads by 44.1%.

Q: Is the Ryzen 3 5425U competitive in single-core performance?

A: It trails the Xeon E5-1660 v3 by 11.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,332 versus 1,504). This is a smaller gap than multi-core, but the Xeon still wins.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Ryzen 3 5425U averages 3,124, slightly ahead of the Xeon E5-1660 v3’s 3,082. Both sit at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each?

A: The Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U and the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U boosts to 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 boosts to 3.50 GHz.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing multi-threaded performance. Its 44.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core over the Ryzen 3 5425U is decisive, and its 11.4% single-core advantage in the same test suite means it wins every direct comparison. For workloads that scale across cores—rendering, compilation, simulation—the Xeon’s 8 cores and 16 threads provide double the parallel capacity of the Ryzen.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U, however, is not without merit. Its average benchmark score is slightly higher (3,124 versus 3,082), and its 15W TDP makes it a fundamentally different class of processor. The Xeon’s 140W TDP is nearly ten times higher, which means the Ryzen is designed for laptops and compact systems where power draw is a constraint. The Ryzen also offers a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.50 GHz) and a modern 7nm process, which explains its competitive average despite losing head-to-head.

Pick the Xeon E5-1660 v3 if you need raw compute throughput and have the power budget and server/workstation platform to support it. Pick the Ryzen 3 5425U if you need a mobile-capable chip with integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 6) and drastically lower power consumption, accepting a significant multi-thread penalty. There is no scenario in the benchmark data where the Ryzen outperforms the Xeon in a direct test, so the decision hinges entirely on platform and efficiency priorities.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets highlight fundamental divergence. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 doubles the core count (8 versus 4) and threads (16 versus 8). It also has a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.70 GHz), though the Ryzen’s boost is higher (4.10 GHz versus 3.50 GHz). The Xeon’s TDP is 140W, compared to the Ryzen’s 15W—a 9.3x difference.

Memory configurations differ significantly. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC. The Xeon also offers more PCIe lanes: 40 Gen 3 lanes versus the Ryzen’s 16 Gen 3 lanes.

The Xeon has a larger L3 cache (20 MB shared versus 8 MB shared) and more L2 cache per core (256 KB versus 512 KB per core, though the Ryzen has more per core). The Xeon’s die size is larger (356 mm² versus 180 mm²), and it uses an Intel Socket 2011-3, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6.

The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics; the Xeon has none. The Xeon has an unlocked multiplier; the Ryzen is locked. The Ryzen’s production status is Active, while the Xeon is End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is generational. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is built on Zen 3 architecture with the Barcelo codename, fabricated on TSMC’s 7nm process. It contains 10,700 million transistors in a 180 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell architecture with the Haswell-EP codename, on Intel’s 22nm process, with 2,600 million transistors in a 356 mm² die. The transistor density difference is stark: the Ryzen packs over four times more transistors into roughly half the die area.

Cache architecture reflects each design’s philosophy. The Ryzen uses 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB shared L3. The Xeon uses 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 20 MB shared L3. The Xeon’s larger L3 is a benefit for its server/workstation role, while the Ryzen’s per-core L2 is larger.

The Ryzen’s integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics mean it requires no discrete GPU for basic display output, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon. The Xeon compensates with 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, enabling multiple GPUs or high-bandwidth peripherals. Both support ECC memory, but the Xeon’s quad-channel bus provides 33.5% more theoretical bandwidth (68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s). The Ryzen’s Zen 3 architecture is a major IPC improvement over Haswell, as evidenced by its competitive single-core score despite a lower base clock, yet the Xeon’s higher core count and cache win the day in multi-threaded tests.