AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench data is remarkably consistent: the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 wins every single head-to-head comparison, though by a narrow margin in each case. Across all six benchmark runs, the Intel part holds a 5% lead in multicore tests and a 5 to 5.3% edge in single-core tests. This is not a dramatic stomp, but it is a clean sweep.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 1137 against the Ryzen’s 1083, a 5% advantage. The single-core R15 result is 160 versus 152, a 5.3% lead. Moving to R20, the multicore gap stays at 5%: 4741 for Intel, 4515 for AMD. The single-core R20 numbers are 669 and 637, again a 5% delta. In R23, the pattern holds exactly: 11289 versus 10750 multicore, and 1593 versus 1517 single-core, both 5% apart.

What does this mean in practical terms? For any Cinebench workload, the Xeon E5-1680 v3 will finish roughly 5% sooner. That is a modest but measurable advantage. The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE never takes a single win in this benchmark suite, so if your workflow is heavily Cinebench-based, the Intel part is the clear pick. However, the Ryzen does have an additional Geekbench result in the database: 5311 multicore and 1779 single-core. The Xeon has no recorded Geekbench score, so that comparison cannot be made directly.

The overall average benchmark score tells a similar story. The Xeon averages 3265, while the Ryzen averages 3218. That is a 1.5% gap in the Intel’s favor. Both CPUs sit at the 53rd percentile of all recorded CPUs, meaning they are essentially peers in the broader performance distribution. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 at 3264 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 at 3277 (-0.4%), and the Intel Core i3-12100T at 3277 (-0.4%). The Ryzen’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U at 3218 (0% delta), the Intel Atom P5342 at 3217 (0%), and the Intel Core i5-1240P at 3202 (0.5% ahead). In both cases, the competition is tight, and neither chip is dramatically ahead of its immediate peers.

The key takeaway from the head-to-head data: the Xeon wins every recorded benchmark, but the margins are small enough that other factors, such as platform features and power characteristics, could easily tip a buying decision.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is a Haswell-EP part from 2014, built on Intel’s 22 nm process with a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE is a Zen 3 (Cezanne) part from 2021, fabricated on TSMC’s 7 nm node with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. The node difference is substantial: 22 nm versus 7 nm, which directly contributes to the Ryzen’s far lower power draw.

Core counts differ significantly. The Xeon has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon’s extra cores are its main weapon in multicore tests. The Ryzen compensates with higher clocks: 3.60 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, versus the Xeon’s 3.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Despite the core deficit, the Ryzen’s newer architecture and higher clocks keep it within 5% in Cinebench multicore.

Cache layouts also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache is 256 KB per core on the Xeon, but 512 KB per core on the Ryzen. The L3 cache is 20 MB shared on the Xeon, versus 8 MB total on the Ryzen. The Xeon’s larger L3 is a legacy of its server design, but the Ryzen’s larger per-core L2 helps with latency-sensitive single-threaded work.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the memory bus differs: the Xeon runs quad-channel, the Ryzen dual-channel. This gives the Xeon a memory bandwidth advantage of 68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes are another split: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon is clearly the workstation/server part here.

The Ryzen includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 6), while the Xeon has none. The Ryzen is a desktop part with an active production status, while the Xeon is end-of-life and was classified as a server/workstation part. The Xeon has an unlocked multiplier, the Ryzen does not. The Ryzen uses Socket AM4, the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The Ryzen’s TDP is 35 watts, the Xeon’s is 140 watts, a fourfold difference that has major implications for cooling and power delivery.

The Verdict

From the recorded data alone, the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the faster CPU in every Cinebench test, but the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE is the more efficient and modern part. If your priority is raw benchmark performance in Cinebench, the Xeon wins by 5% across the board. If your priority is power consumption, platform longevity, or integrated graphics, the Ryzen is the only choice.

The Xeon’s 8-core, 16-thread configuration gives it a structural advantage in heavily threaded workloads, and its quad-channel memory bus provides higher bandwidth. The Ryzen’s 4-core, 8-thread design is smaller, cooler, and far less power-hungry, but it cannot overcome the core deficit in the benchmarks recorded.

For a server or workstation environment where multicore throughput is king and power is not a constraint, the Xeon is the better pick based on the data. For a desktop build where the integrated GPU is useful, where the 35-watt TDP keeps cooling simple, and where the AM4 platform offers more modern options, the Ryzen is the sensible choice. The numbers do not support calling the Ryzen a performance winner, but they also do not support calling the Xeon a practical one.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 scores 1593, which is 5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE’s 1517.

Q: How much power does each CPU draw?

A: The Xeon has a TDP of 140 watts, while the Ryzen has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Does the Ryzen have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics. The Xeon has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The Xeon provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each part?

A: The Xeon has a quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth; the Ryzen has a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both CPUs still in production?

A: No, the Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is active.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon wins every recorded Cinebench test, so in pure CPU compute benchmarks, it is the winner. Its 8-core, 16-thread design and larger L3 cache make it better suited for multi-threaded rendering, simulation, or any workload that scales with core count. The quad-channel memory bus also gives it a bandwidth edge, which can matter for memory-bound server tasks.

The Ryzen wins in every non-benchmark category that matters for practical builds. Its 35-watt TDP is less than a quarter of the Xeon’s, so it requires much lighter cooling and can fit in small form factor desktops. The integrated Radeon Vega 6 GPU means it can drive a display without a discrete card. The AM4 socket is a mainstream platform with active production, while the Xeon’s LGA 2011-3 platform is end-of-life. The Ryzen’s 7 nm process and 10,700 million transistors in a 180 mm² die show a far more efficient design, even if that efficiency does not translate into benchmark wins.

There is no benchmark category in the recorded data where the Ryzen wins. The Xeon holds a 5% lead in all Cinebench tests, and its average benchmark score is 1.5% higher. The Ryzen’s advantages are architectural and platform-based, not performance-based in the measured tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 | 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 | Haswell-EP | Zen 3 (Cezanne) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 7 nm |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 180 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | 10,700 million |

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB shared | 8 MB total |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 lanes | Gen 3, 16 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | September 2014 | May 2021 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |