AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 vs Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 are both 4-core, 4-thread processors, but they target different platforms and use different architectures. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear, if narrow, sweep: the Intel part wins all six Cinebench head-to-head tests, with margins between 1.5% and 1.8%. The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 had a launch MSRP of $203. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, by contrast, offers a lower TDP, an unlocked multiplier, and an active production status, making it a more flexible choice for desktop builders despite trailing in raw performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core tests, the Intel processor posts higher scores. The largest advantage is 1.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core, where Intel scores 287 against AMD's 282. The smallest margin is 1.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, with Intel at 68 and AMD at 67. In multi-core tests, the Intel lead is consistent at 1.6% to 1.7%. The average benchmark score reinforces this: Intel averages 1401, while AMD averages 1379. The Intel part also sits at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, one point above AMD's 36th percentile.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 does not win any benchmark, but it holds advantages outside raw performance. Its TDP is 65 watts versus Intel's 80 watts, making it more power-efficient on paper. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. AMD's production status is active, whereas Intel's is end-of-life. For a user prioritizing upgradeability and tuning, the AMD platform offers a different kind of win, even if the benchmark scores favor Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses the Skylake-DT architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses the Zen architecture, also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The transistor counts differ substantially: Intel packs 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die, while AMD uses 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. This reflects a denser but smaller Intel design versus a larger, more transistor-heavy AMD chip.

Cache layouts also differ. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. AMD offers 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the AMD side may help in certain workloads, but the benchmark results do not show a corresponding performance advantage.

Memory support is another split. The Intel Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the AMD Ryzen supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The recorded memory bandwidth figures are 34.1 GB/s for Intel and 4256 MB/s for AMD. Both processors support ECC memory, and both provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part is classified as a Server/Workstation product, while the AMD is a Desktop part. The Intel processor was released on 2015-10-18, the AMD on 2017-06-28.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 488 against AMD's 480, a 1.7% lead. In R15 single-core, Intel scores 68 versus 67, a 1.5% lead. Moving to R20, Intel leads 2034 to 2002 in multi-core (1.6%) and 287 to 282 in single-core (1.8%). In R23, Intel scores 4845 to AMD's 4767 in multi-core (1.6%) and 684 to 673 in single-core (1.6%). Every test shows the same pattern: Intel ahead, but by a small margin.

These margins are consistent across all three Cinebench versions, suggesting a stable performance gap rather than a workload-specific anomaly. The single-core advantage is slightly larger in R20, but the overall picture is one of near parity. The average benchmark score difference, 1401 versus 1379, works out to roughly a 1.6% gap, matching the head-to-head deltas. The nearest rivals for each CPU also cluster tightly: Intel's closest competitor, the Xeon E-2104G, scores 1402 with a 0% delta, while AMD's closest, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U, scores 1379 with a 0% delta. This indicates both CPUs sit in a crowded performance band.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. Anyone seeking maximum Cinebench performance from these two options should choose the Intel part. The margins are small, but they are consistent and favor Intel across all six tests.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, however, is not without merit. Its 65 watt TDP is lower than Intel's 80 watts, which can translate to easier cooling and lower system power draw. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, a feature the Intel part lacks. AMD's active production status means the chip is still available for new builds, while the Intel Xeon is end-of-life. For a desktop user who values tuning headroom and current availability over a 1.5% to 1.8% performance edge, the AMD part is the more practical choice. The benchmark data does not show AMD winning any test, but the platform advantages are real and may outweigh the performance deficit in specific use cases.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins from 1.5% to 1.8% over the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 support overclocking?

A: Yes, the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has a TDP of 80 watts.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 support ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has more cache per core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both have 8 MB of shared L3.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is active.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 |

|-------|------------------------|----------------------|

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake-DT | Zen (Summit Ridge) |

| Generation | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) | Ryzen 3 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 64 KB | 96 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 256 KB | 512 KB |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 4256 MB/s |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2017-06-28 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR2LG | YD120BBBM4KAE |

| Series | (none) | 1000 series |