AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE vs Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data presents a clean sweep: AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE wins every single benchmark in this comparison, taking all six head-to-head tests. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 does not register a single win across Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, whether in single-core or multi-core workloads.

The AMD processor's advantages are consistent but narrow, ranging from 1.6% to 2.1% depending on the test. This suggests that in purely computational throughput terms, the two chips are closely matched. However, the use-case split is much wider than the benchmark deltas imply.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE holds a slight edge. Its boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.80 GHz helps explain its superior single-core scores. Applications that rely on one or two threads, such as legacy software, spreadsheet recalculation, or lightly threaded productivity tools, will favor the AMD part.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Xeon has more physical hardware: 6 cores and 12 threads versus the Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads. Yet the data shows the Ryzen still wins multi-core tests, albeit by about 2%. This indicates the AMD chip's architectural efficiency per core outweighs the Xeon's core-count advantage. The Ryzen's Zen 2 architecture delivers more work per clock, which is visible in the R23 multi-core score of 8975 versus 8800.

The Xeon does have structural advantages that matter outside Cinebench. It offers quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth versus the Ryzen's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s. It also provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16. For memory-bound workloads or systems with many expansion cards, the Xeon platform provides more headroom, even if the raw CPU scores favor AMD.

The power envelope is a decisive differentiator. The Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE operates at 35 W TDP, while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 consumes 140 W. That is a fourfold difference in thermal design power. The Ryzen is an active production part, while the Xeon is end-of-life. The data indicates the AMD processor delivers comparable or better benchmark results at a fraction of the power draw.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE belongs to the 4000 series, built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename. It is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node, packing 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses the Haswell architecture with the Haswell-EP codename, built on Intel's 22 nm process, with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die.

The process node difference is stark: 7 nm versus 22 nm. This explains the transistor density disparity, with the AMD chip cramming nearly four times more transistors into less than half the die area. The newer process also contributes to the Ryzen's dramatically lower power consumption.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 cache is 512 KB per core on the Ryzen versus 256 KB per core on the Xeon. The L3 cache is the major divergence: the Ryzen has 4 MB shared, while the Xeon carries 15 MB shared. Despite the Xeon's larger L3, the Ryzen's higher per-core L2 and newer architecture keep it competitive in memory-sensitive workloads.

Memory support shows both support DDR4 and ECC memory, but the memory bus differs. The Ryzen runs dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon runs quad-channel with 68.3 GB/s. The Xeon's 33% bandwidth advantage could matter in specific server-style workloads that stream large datasets.

PCIe connectivity also favors the Xeon with 40 Gen 3 lanes versus the Ryzen's 16. The Xeon targets the server/workstation market segment, while the Ryzen is a desktop part. The Xeon has an unlocked multiplier, useful for overclocking scenarios, whereas the Ryzen's multiplier is locked. The Xeon lacks integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 6.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results paint a consistent picture of narrow AMD superiority. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 904 versus the Xeon's 887, a 1.9% delta. The single-core R15 run shows 127 versus 125, a 1.6% advantage for AMD.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the gap widens slightly. Multi-core scores are 3769 for the Ryzen and 3696 for the Xeon, a 2% difference. Single-core R20 shows 532 versus 521, with a 2.1% delta, the largest margin in any test.

Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern. Multi-core results are 8975 for AMD and 8800 for Intel, a 2% gap. Single-core R23 records 1267 against 1242, again a 2% difference.

The consistency is notable. Across six tests, the delta ranges only from 1.6% to 2.1%. There is no test where the Xeon comes within a point, nor any where AMD extends beyond a couple of percent. This indicates the two chips are fundamentally similar in single-threaded and lightly threaded performance, with the Ryzen's architectural advantages just enough to edge out the Xeon's extra cores.

The Xeon's six cores and 12 threads should theoretically excel in multi-core rendering. Yet the Ryzen's four cores and 8 threads, built on a much newer process with higher IPC, manage to beat it. The R23 multi-core score of 8975 versus 8800 suggests the Ryzen's per-core efficiency more than compensates for the two missing physical cores.

Average benchmark scores confirm the overall picture. The Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE holds an average score of 2596, while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 averages 2545. Both sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the mid-range of recorded processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Xeon ever win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE wins all six head-to-head benchmarks. The Xeon's best result is a 2% deficit in Cinebench R20 single-core.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE has a 35 W TDP, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 has a 140 W TDP. The Ryzen uses a quarter of the power budget.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The Xeon E5-1650 v3 supports quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE supports dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE and the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 have ECC memory support enabled.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The benchmark data favors the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE in every measured test. For users prioritizing raw CPU benchmark scores, the choice is unambiguous: the Ryzen wins all six Cinebench runs, with margins between 1.6% and 2.1%. Its lower 35 W TDP makes it suitable for compact systems, low-power builds, or environments where heat dissipation is a concern. The integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios, and its active production status ensures ongoing availability.

The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3, despite being end-of-life, retains advantages in platform-level features. Its quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and unlocked multiplier make it attractive for workstation builds that need extensive I/O expansion or memory throughput beyond what the Ryzen's dual-channel 16-lane setup provides. The extra two physical cores could also help in workloads that scale better with core count than with per-core IPC, even though Cinebench does not show that benefit.

The data indicates both processors occupy the same performance tier, both sitting at the 49th percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen's average benchmark score of 2596 is 2% higher than the Xeon's 2545. For most desktop workloads, the Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE is the better choice based on benchmark results alone. For server-style applications that leverage quad-channel memory, high lane counts, or require an unlocked multiplier, the Xeon E5-1650 v3 retains platform-specific value despite its lower benchmark scores and higher power draw.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE uses 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are identical at 3.50 GHz, but boost clocks differ: 4.00 GHz for AMD versus 3.80 GHz for Intel.

TDP is the largest divergence, with the Ryzen at 35 W and the Xeon at 140 W. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3. Architecture differs with Zen 2 (Renoir) versus Haswell (Haswell-EP). Process nodes are 7 nm (TSMC) versus 22 nm (Intel). Transistor counts are 9,800 million versus 2,600 million, and die sizes are 156 mm² versus 356 mm².

Cache configurations show L1 identical at 64 KB per core, L2 at 512 KB per core for AMD versus 256 KB per core for Intel, and L3 at 4 MB shared versus 15 MB shared. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory, but memory buses are dual-channel versus quad-channel, with bandwidths of 51.2 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 16 versus 40, both Gen 3. The Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none. Market segments are Desktop versus Server/Workstation. Production status is Active versus End-of-life. Release dates are November 2022 versus September 2014. The multiplier is locked on AMD and unlocked on Intel.