AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U across every Cinebench test in the database. The Intel Xeon W-2104 trails by roughly 1.5% to 2.1% depending on the workload, which makes this one of the tighter head-to-head matchups in the database. Neither chip can claim a blowout victory; the margin is close enough that platform-level considerations will likely decide the purchase.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U scores 480 against the Xeon's 470, a 2.1% deficit for Intel. The single-core R15 result is equally tight: 67 for AMD versus 66 for Intel, a 1.5% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The AMD part posts 2002 in multi-core and 282 in single-core, while the Xeon manages 1960 and 276 respectively. Both deltas sit at 2.1% in AMD's favor. Cinebench R23 repeats the story: AMD leads 4769 to 4669 in multi-core and 673 to 659 in single-core, again a 2.1% difference.

The aggregate average benchmark score places the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U at 1379, with the Xeon W-2104 at 1350. That is a 29-point gap, roughly 2.1% overall. Both processors occupy the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database, so they land in the same performance tier. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 at 1357 (a 0.5% deficit). The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U's closest neighbors are the AMD Opteron 6366 HE and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, both at exactly 1379 with a 0% delta, plus the Intel Core i7-3740QM at 1378 (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i7-3615QE at 1381 (0.1% behind). This clustering shows both parts are firmly in the same league as older quad-core desktop and mobile processors.

What matters here is not the raw margin but the consistency. Across six test runs, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U wins every single one, even if the margin never exceeds 2.1%. That means the AMD chip delivers a small but repeatable performance edge in Cinebench workloads. The Xeon W-2104, despite its workstation pedigree and much higher power envelope, cannot overcome the architectural efficiency of the Zen-based mobile part in these specific tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U has an average benchmark score of 1379, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 scores 1350. That places the AMD part 2.1% higher overall.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W-2104 win any Cinebench tests in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The database records zero wins for the Xeon W-2104. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 1.5% to 2.1%.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each processor in the database?

A: For the Intel Xeon W-2104, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-7400T (1348, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-4670 (1347, 0.2% delta). For the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U, the closest rivals are the AMD Opteron 6366 HE and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, both matching its 1379 score exactly.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth differ between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2104 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U uses dual-channel DDR4 with a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon has more than double the memory bandwidth on paper.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 has a TDP of 120 watts. The AMD part consumes significantly less power by specification.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U wins on raw benchmark performance in every recorded Cinebench test. In multi-core workloads, the margin is 2.1% across R15, R20, and R23. In single-core workloads, the margin is 1.5% in R15 and 2.1% in R20 and R23. If your priority is the highest possible Cinebench scores from these two options, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U is the clear choice, even though the absolute difference is modest.

The Intel Xeon W-2104 wins on platform capability. Its quad-channel memory bus provides a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, compared to 38.4 GB/s for the Ryzen part. It also supports ECC memory, which the AMD processor does not. The Xeon exposes 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, versus 8 lanes on the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U. For workloads that depend on high memory throughput, large amounts of RAM, or many expansion cards, the Xeon's platform advantages are substantial, even if its Cinebench scores lag.

The Xeon also carries a workstation/server market segment designation and an Intel Socket 2066 platform. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U is a mobile part with an AMD Socket FP5, targeting thin-and-light laptops. If you are building a stationary workstation with multiple GPUs or high-capacity ECC memory, the Xeon is the only viable option. If you need a chip for a portable system or a low-power compact build, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U wins by default.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads. The base clock differs significantly. The Intel Xeon W-2104 runs at 3.20 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Ryzen part can raise its frequency higher under load, which helps explain its benchmark edge.

Cache layouts diverge. The Xeon W-2104 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8.25 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Xeon offers more L2 and L3 cache, but the Ryzen part has a larger L1.

Memory support differs on bus width. The Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth and supports ECC. The Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s and lacks ECC support. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the Xeon provides 48 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides only 8 lanes.

TDP is a major differentiator. The Xeon is rated at 120 watts, the Ryzen at 15 watts. That is an eightfold difference in power draw. The Xeon has a die size of 484 mm², while the Ryzen measures 210 mm². The Ryzen integrates Radeon Vega 6 graphics; the Xeon has none. The Xeon was released in 2017 and is end-of-life, while the Ryzen launched in 2019 and remains active.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W-2104 is built on the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-W, using Intel's 14 nm process. Its die size is 484 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, also on a 14 nm process but manufactured by GlobalFoundries. Its die size is 210 mm² and it packs 4,950 million transistors.

The Xeon's Skylake-W design targets server and workstation sockets, emphasizing memory bandwidth and PCIe expansion. The Ryzen's Raven Ridge design is a mobile APU that combines Zen CPU cores with Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics on a single die. That integration explains the smaller die size despite the transistor count, since the graphics and memory controller share the package.

Cache architecture differs between the two. The Xeon allocates 1 MB of L2 per core, which is double the Ryzen's 512 KB per core. The Xeon's shared L3 is 8.25 MB, more than double the Ryzen's 4 MB. However, the Ryzen's larger L1 (96 KB per core versus 64 KB) partially compensates in latency-sensitive workloads. The Xeon's larger caches and quad-channel memory interface reflect its workstation role, while the Ryzen's compact cache and dual-channel bus suit its low-power mobile design.

The manufacturing processes are both 14 nm, but the foundries differ: Intel for the Xeon, GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen. The Xeon's 484 mm² die is one of the larger workstation parts, while the Ryzen's 210 mm² die is typical for a mobile APU. The transistor count for the Xeon is not recorded in the database, so a direct comparison there is not possible.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: choose the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U if your priority is Cinebench performance or low power consumption. It wins all six benchmark tests in the head-to-head comparison, holds a 2.1% higher average score, and operates at 15 watts versus the Xeon's 120 watts. For mobile systems, compact builds, or anything where heat and battery life matter, the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U is the superior part on every metric the database records.

Choose the Intel Xeon W-2104 if your workload depends on platform features rather than raw Cinebench numbers. The Xeon offers quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, ECC support, and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. These are capabilities the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U simply does not have. If you are building a workstation that needs large ECC memory pools, multiple high-speed expansion cards, or maximum memory throughput, the Xeon's 2.1% benchmark deficit becomes irrelevant. Its 120-watt TDP is a cost you accept for that platform access.

Both processors sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a performance outlier. The Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U is the faster chip in the tests recorded, but the Xeon W-2104 is the more capable platform. For most users, the Ryzen's combination of better benchmark scores, integrated graphics, and dramatically lower power draw makes it the practical recommendation. For workstation builders who need ECC memory or quad-channel bandwidth, the Xeon remains the only option between these two. The database records no scenario where the Xeon wins on performance, so its value lies entirely in its platform capabilities.