AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins every single one of the six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, but by a narrow margin in each case. The largest victory comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the Xeon scores 160 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE’s 152, a delta of 5.3%. Every other head-to-head test, from Cinebench R15 multicore through Cinebench R23 single-core, shows the Intel part ahead by exactly 5%. This uniformity suggests the Xeon’s advantage is structural, not workload-dependent.

In multicore workloads, the Xeon’s 8 cores and 16 threads give it a natural edge over the Ryzen’s 4 cores and 8 threads. The Cinebench R23 multicore result illustrates this: the Xeon scores 11285, the Ryzen 10750, a 5% gap. The same 5% delta appears in R15 multicore (1137 vs 1083) and R20 multicore (4739 vs 4515). These are not overwhelming victories, but they are consistent across three generations of the Cinebench test.

Single-core results follow the same pattern, which is more surprising given the Ryzen’s higher clock speeds. The Xeon’s 3.80 GHz boost clock is lower than the Ryzen’s 4.20 GHz, yet the Xeon still wins every single-core test. In R23 single-core, the Xeon posts 1593 versus 1517, a 5% margin. The R15 single-core test shows the widest gap at 5.3%, with scores of 160 and 152. This implies the Broadwell architecture’s per-core efficiency, despite the older 14 nm process, holds up well against Zen 3.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The Xeon averages 3264 across all recorded tests, while the Ryzen averages 3218. Both sit at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically peers. The Xeon’s nearest rivals include the Xeon E5-1680 v3 (average 3265, delta 0%), the Ryzen Embedded V2516 (3277, -0.4%), the Core i3-12100T (3277, -0.4%), and the Xeon E-2374G (3278, -0.4%). The Ryzen’s nearest rivals include the Ryzen 7 4800U (3218, delta 0%), the Atom P5342 (3217, 0%), the Core i5-1240P (3202, 0.5%), and the Core i3-13100T (3198, 0.6%). Both chips cluster tightly with their peers, but the Xeon holds a slight overall edge.

One notable asymmetry: the Ryzen has a Geekbench result (multicore 5311, singlecore 1779) that the Xeon lacks in this database. This means the Ryzen’s average is pulled from more data points, yet it still trails the Xeon’s average. The implication is that the Xeon’s Cinebench dominance is not an artifact of test selection; it reflects a real, if modest, performance lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Xeon E5-1660 v4 is built on Intel’s 14 nm Broadwell-EP architecture, manufactured by Intel, with 3,400 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Its thermal design power is 140 W, a figure that reflects its server-grade heritage. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE, by contrast, is a Zen 3 part from AMD’s Cezanne generation, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 10,700 million transistors into a smaller 180 mm² die, a feat of density that the older Intel process cannot match. The Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its TDP is just 35 W, a quarter of the Xeon’s. The cache hierarchy differs too: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and only 8 MB of L3.

The memory subsystem also diverges. The Xeon supports DDR4 in a quad-channel configuration, yielding a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, which is expected given their PRO and Xeon positioning. The Xeon offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics; the Xeon has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

The foundry difference is stark: Intel fabricates the Xeon on its own 14 nm line, while TSMC produces the Ryzen on 7 nm. The transistor count difference, 3,400 million versus 10,700 million, reflects both the process advantage and the Ryzen’s denser design. Despite this, the Xeon’s larger L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB) may compensate in some workloads, particularly those with high cache reuse.

The release dates also frame the comparison: the Xeon launched in June 2016, the Ryzen in May 2021. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active. The Xeon’s launch MSRP was $1113; the Ryzen’s launch MSRP is not recorded in the database. The Xeon’s part number is SR2PK, the Ryzen’s is 100-000000259. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data alone, the Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins all six head-to-head comparisons. That means it takes every Cinebench discipline: R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore modes. The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE does not win a single recorded head-to-head test. This is a clean sweep, but the margins are small enough that the practical difference in everyday use may be minimal.

The Xeon’s wins are most pronounced in single-core tests relative to its clock deficit. A 5.3% victory in R15 single-core, despite a 0.40 GHz boost clock disadvantage, suggests the Broadwell architecture extracts more instructions per clock than the Zen 3 part in this specific workload. The multicore wins, at a consistent 5%, are less surprising given the Xeon’s 2x core and thread advantage, but the fact that the gap is not larger indicates the Ryzen’s higher per-core throughput narrows the difference.

The Ryzen’s strengths lie outside the head-to-head Cinebench suite. Its Geekbench scores, which are not compared directly against the Xeon, show a singlecore result of 1779 and a multicore result of 5311. These are competitive numbers for a 35 W part, and they hint that in workloads not captured by Cinebench, the Ryzen could close the gap or even overtake the Xeon. The database does not include Geekbench results for the Xeon, so no direct comparison is possible from the recorded data.

The Ryzen’s 35 W TDP is its clearest advantage in a system-level sense. It enables smaller cooling solutions, lower power bills, and less heat output. The Xeon’s 140 W TDP demands robust cooling and a power supply capable of sustained high draw. For users prioritizing energy efficiency or compact builds, the Ryzen’s lower power envelope is a decisive practical factor, even if the raw benchmark scores favor the Xeon.

The integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics in the Ryzen also gives it a functional edge for systems without a discrete GPU. The Xeon has no iGPU, meaning it cannot output display without a separate graphics card. This makes the Ryzen a more flexible option for basic desktop use, media playback, or office workloads where a dedicated GPU is overkill.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced conclusion. If the decision rests solely on the recorded Cinebench scores, the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 is the faster processor. It wins every head-to-head test, with deltas ranging from 5% to 5.3%. Its higher core count and larger L3 cache contribute to consistent multicore advantages, while its single-core performance, despite lower clocks, still edges out the Ryzen. The Xeon’s average benchmark score of 3264 also beats the Ryzen’s 3218.

However, the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE is not a straightforward loser. Its 35 W TDP makes it dramatically more efficient, a fact that no benchmark score captures directly. The Ryzen also includes integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks, and its Geekbench results suggest strong performance outside the Cinebench suite. The Ryzen is an active product, while the Xeon is end-of-life, meaning the Ryzen has a longer expected support horizon.

For a user building a high-throughput workstation with a dedicated GPU and ample cooling, the Xeon’s benchmark wins make it the logical choice. For a user prioritizing energy efficiency, compact form factor, or integrated graphics, the Ryzen is the better fit, even though it trails in every recorded head-to-head test. The percentile ranking, identical at 53 for both, reinforces that these are closely matched parts overall.

The Xeon’s launch MSRP of $1113, noted once here, reflects its original server-class positioning. The Ryzen’s pricing is not recorded in the database, so no direct cost comparison is possible. Neither processor is unlocked, so overclocking is not a differentiator.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE wins zero.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 160 versus the Ryzen’s 152, a delta of 5.3%. All other head-to-head deltas are exactly 5%.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 3264, while the Ryzen averages 3218. Both processors sit at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Xeon E5-1660 v4 and the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The Xeon has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Broadwell-EP | Cezanne |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 3,400 million | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 180 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 8 MB |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 6 |

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

| Release Date | 2016-06-19 | 2021-05-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $1113 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR2PK | 100-000000259 |