AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U vs Intel Xeon E-2226GE Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2226GE and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U are both 48th-percentile processors, yet they represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Xeon is a 6-core, 6-thread server/workstation part built on Intel’s 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture, while the Ryzen is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile part on TSMC’s 7 nm Zen 2 process. Despite these differences, benchmark results show they are remarkably close in raw performance, with the AMD chip winning 5 of 6 head-to-head tests, albeit by margins of only 0.6% or less. The data indicates that the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U offers comparable compute capability in a dramatically lower power envelope, while the Xeon E-2226GE counters with ECC memory support and a desktop socket.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U is the superior performer in nearly every measured workload, but the margins are almost negligible. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 8230 versus the Xeon’s 8177, a 0.6% advantage. The single-core results tell the same story, with the Ryzen leading 1161 to 1154 in R23 single-core (0.6%) and 487 to 484 in R20 single-core (0.6%). The only test where the Xeon wins is Cinebench R15 single-core, where both chips score exactly 116, resulting in a 0% delta that is awarded to the Intel part.

Given this data, the choice hinges entirely on platform requirements rather than performance. The Xeon E-2226GE is the only option for systems requiring ECC memory support, as the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U does not support ECC. The Xeon also uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform, which is typical for workstation builds, whereas the Ryzen uses the AMD Socket FP6, a mobile socket. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $286, while the Ryzen has no listed launch MSRP, but pricing considerations aside, the data suggests the Ryzen delivers equivalent or slightly better performance in a 15W TDP package compared to the Xeon’s 80W TDP.

For a mobile or low-power embedded design, the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U is the clear choice based on its 15W TDP and active production status. For a workstation requiring ECC memory and a standard desktop socket, the Xeon E-2226GE is the only viable option, despite its lower benchmark scores. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active, which may influence long-term availability decisions.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Xeon E-2226GE is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It features 6 cores and 6 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging simultaneous multithreading to reach the higher thread count.

The transistor counts differ dramatically. The Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the Xeon’s transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 154 mm². This means the Zen 2 part packs roughly the same physical area with vastly more transistors, a direct result of the denser 7 nm process. Cache configurations also diverge: both share 64 KB L1 per core, but the Xeon has 256 KB L2 per core versus the Ryzen’s 512 KB per core. The L3 cache is a major differentiator, with the Xeon sporting 12 MB shared versus the Ryzen’s 4 MB shared.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Xeon includes UHD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen features Radeon Graphics 320SP. Memory bandwidth favors the AMD chip, with 68.3 GB/s compared to the Xeon’s 42.7 GB/s, even though both support dual-channel DDR4. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a critical feature for workstation reliability, while the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen lists simply Gen 3 without a lane count. The Xeon is classified as Server/Workstation, while the Ryzen is Mobile, and the Xeon is end-of-life while the Ryzen is active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U scoring 829 against the Xeon’s 824, a 0.6% edge for the AMD part. This is noteworthy because the Xeon has 6 physical cores versus the Ryzen’s 4, yet the Ryzen’s 8 threads compensate effectively. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors score exactly 116, resulting in a tie that is awarded to the Intel Xeon in the data, though the 0% delta indicates no measurable difference.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Ryzen wins multi-core with 3456 versus 3434, again by 0.6%. The single-core R20 result shows the Ryzen leading 487 to 484, another 0.6% margin. The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, where the Ryzen scores 8230 multi-core against the Xeon’s 8177 and 1161 single-core against 1154. Across all six head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD chip wins five, with the only Intel victory being the R15 single-core tie.

The average benchmark scores reflect this parity: the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U has an average score of 2413, while the Xeon E-2226GE averages 2365. The Ryzen’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 at 2409 (0.2% delta), while the Xeon’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X at 2361 (0.2% delta). The Ryzen also has additional Geekbench scores in the data, with 3840 multi-core and 1181 single-core, which are not available for the Xeon in the FACT PACK. These scores suggest the Ryzen maintains its slight edge across different benchmark suites, though direct comparison is impossible without Xeon Geekbench data.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Xeon E-2226GE has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for the Xeon versus 2.40 GHz for the Ryzen, and boost clocks are 4.60 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, respectively. The TDP is a major differentiator: the Xeon draws 80W, while the Ryzen is rated at just 15W.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the Xeon and AMD Socket FP6 for the Ryzen. The process node favors the Ryzen at 7 nm versus the Xeon’s 14 nm, and the foundry is TSMC for AMD versus Intel for the Xeon. The Ryzen has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the Xeon’s transistor count is not listed but its die is 154 mm². L2 cache is 256 KB per core for the Xeon versus 512 KB per core for the Ryzen, and L3 cache is 12 MB shared versus 4 MB shared.

Memory bandwidth favors the Ryzen at 68.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC memory support is present on the Xeon but absent on the Ryzen. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the Xeon, while the Ryzen lists simply Gen 3. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics P630 for Intel and Radeon Graphics 320SP for AMD. The market segments differ (Server/Workstation versus Mobile), as do production statuses (End-of-life versus Active). The Xeon’s part number is SRGQW, the Ryzen’s is 100-000000104, and the Xeon has a launch MSRP of $286 while the Ryzen has none listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U wins 5 of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench R20 and R23 tests. The Intel Xeon E-2226GE wins only the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where both score 116 and the delta is 0%.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two in multi-core workloads?

A: The gap is consistently 0.6% in favor of the Ryzen across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The specific scores are 829 vs 824 (R15), 3456 vs 3434 (R20), and 8230 vs 8177 (R23).

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2226GE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2226GE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U does not support ECC memory, making the Xeon the only choice for systems requiring error-correcting memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2226GE has a TDP of 80W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U has a TDP of 15W. This represents a significant power efficiency advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The Xeon E-2226GE uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U uses AMD Socket FP6. They are not interchangeable.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U has an average benchmark score of 2413, while the Xeon E-2226GE scores 2365. The Ryzen’s average is 48 points higher, which aligns with its consistent 0.6% lead in individual Cinebench tests.