AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents an unusually consistent picture in the benchmark comparisons between the Intel Xeon W-2104 and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD processor takes the win. The margins are narrow but uniform, with the AMD part leading by approximately 2.1% in most workloads. The only exception is the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the AMD advantage shrinks to 1.5%.

Starting with multi-core performance, the Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Intel Xeon W-2104 scoring 470 points against the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200's 480 points. That 2.1% deficit for the Intel part is mirrored in the Cinebench R20 multi-core run, where the scores are 1960 and 2002 respectively. The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD chip scores 4767 versus the Intel's 4669, a difference of 98 points that still translates to the same 2.1% relative margin.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel Xeon W-2104 records 66 points, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 posts 67 points. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows 276 against 282, and the Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 659 against 673. In each case, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 holds a small but measurable lead.

The aggregate benchmark score reinforces this narrative. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has an average benchmark score of 1350, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 reaches 1379. That 29-point difference in the database's composite metric places the AMD part ahead by roughly the same margin seen in the individual Cinebench runs. The win count is decisive: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 wins all 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 wins none.

When placed against their nearest rivals, both processors sit in a tightly packed cluster of comparable chips. The Intel Xeon W-2104's nearest competitors include the Intel Core i5-7400T with an average score of 1348 (a 0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 (0.2% delta), the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 1357 (-0.5% delta), and the Intel Core i5-4590T at 1340 (0.8% delta). The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U at 1379 (0% delta), the AMD Opteron 6366 HE at 1379 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-3740QM at 1378 (0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i7-3615QE at 1381 (-0.1% delta). Both processors occupy the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating that neither is a standout performer in the broader landscape, but the AMD part consistently edges out the Intel part within their shared performance tier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the faster processor in every measured workload. The performance advantage is consistent across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. The margins are not dramatic, ranging from 1.5% to 2.1%, but they are uniform and never favor the Intel Xeon W-2104.

For buyers prioritizing raw compute throughput in Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the clear choice from this data set. It holds a higher average benchmark score (1379 versus 1350) and wins every head-to-head comparison. The Intel Xeon W-2104 does not offer any benchmark victory to lean on; its strengths lie elsewhere, outside the measured Cinebench suite.

The Intel part does carry a launch MSRP of $255, but the database does not contain equivalent pricing for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, so no direct comparison can be drawn. Within the measured metrics, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the superior performer. The selection between these two is therefore straightforward: the AMD part wins on performance in every test the database records.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 wins in every category covered by the benchmark suite. It takes the single-core tests in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, which indicates a slight advantage in lightly threaded workloads. It also wins the multi-core tests in the same three Cinebench versions, meaning it maintains its lead even when all four cores are active. The uniformity of the 2.1% margin in five of the six tests suggests a consistent architectural efficiency across both single-threaded and multi-threaded execution.

The Intel Xeon W-2104 does not win any benchmark in the recorded data. Its only relative strength comes from the closest margin, the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it trails by just 1.5%. That is the narrowest gap between the two processors, but it is still a loss. The database shows zero wins for the Intel part across all six head-to-head comparisons.

For use-case planning, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the better fit for any scenario that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or compute performance. The Intel Xeon W-2104's value proposition would need to come from features not captured in these benchmarks, such as its quad-channel memory bus, 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, or larger L3 cache. Those specifications may matter in workstation or server contexts, but they do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has an average benchmark score of 1379, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 scores 1350. The AMD part is ahead by 29 points in the database's composite metric.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 scores 4767 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 scores 4669. The AMD part is 2.1% ahead in this test.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2104 win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The database records 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 wins all of them. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has 0 wins.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 leads in all three single-core tests. It scores 67 versus 66 in Cinebench R15, 282 versus 276 in Cinebench R20, and 673 versus 659 in Cinebench R23. The margins are between 1.5% and 2.1%.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2104's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-7400T, Intel Core i5-4670, Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3, and Intel Core i5-4590T. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U, AMD Opteron 6366 HE, Intel Core i7-3740QM, and Intel Core i7-3615QE.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Xeon W-2104 and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 have ECC memory support in their specifications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their underlying platform designs, even though both are 14 nm parts with 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Xeon W-2104 uses the Skylake-W architecture and is built on the Intel Socket 2066 platform. It has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock listed. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on the AMD Socket AM4 platform, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The AMD part offers a boost capability that the Intel part lacks in the database.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8.25 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has a larger L2 cache per core and a slightly larger L3 cache overall, while the AMD part has a larger L1 cache per core.

Memory support also separates the two. The Intel Xeon W-2104 supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 also supports DDR4 but over a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 4256 MB/s. The Intel part offers substantially higher memory bandwidth on paper, which could matter in memory-intensive workloads not captured by the Cinebench suite.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The Intel Xeon W-2104 provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Intel part is clearly positioned for workstation or server configurations requiring many expansion devices. The AMD part's 16 lanes are typical for a desktop-oriented processor.

The process node is the same at 14 nm, but the foundries differ: Intel for the Xeon W-2104 and GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200. The die sizes are notably different, with the Intel part measuring 484 mm² and the AMD part measuring 213 mm². The AMD processor integrates 4,800 million transistors, while the database does not list a transistor count for the Intel part.

Production status and release timing also differ. The Intel Xeon W-2104 is marked as end-of-life and was released in August 2017. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is still active and was released in June 2017. The Intel part is classified as a Server/Workstation segment product, while the AMD part is classified as Desktop. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has a locked multiplier, whereas the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. Both processors lack integrated graphics and both support ECC memory.