AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE vs AMD Ryzen 5 4500 Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is the decisive performer in almost every measurable workload, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE, despite its architectural advantages, only secures wins in single-threaded PassMark tests. The Ryzen 5 4500's two extra cores and four extra threads provide a lead that the Zen 3 architecture of the 5355GE cannot overcome in multi-threaded scenarios. The choice is simple: for raw compute throughput, the Ryzen 5 4500 dominates; the 5355GE is only relevant for its integrated graphics and lower power envelope.

The Verdict

The data leads to a clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is the superior processor for virtually all compute-intensive tasks. It wins 15 out of 17 benchmark comparisons, including every Cinebench test. In multi-core workloads, its advantage is overwhelming, with a consistent 20.7% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This is a direct result of its 6 cores and 12 threads versus the 4 cores and 8 threads of the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE is not without merit, but its strengths are narrow. It wins only the PassMark single-thread test (3089 vs 2593, a 19.1% lead) and its duplicate, the PassMark singlethread test. This shows that its Zen 3 architecture provides superior per-core performance. However, this single-thread advantage does not translate into broader application wins. For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, encoding, or compilation, the Ryzen 5 4500 is the only choice from this data.

The Ryzen 5 4500 also edges out the 5355GE in overall average benchmark score (17333 vs 17482 is a 0.9% delta in favor of the 4500, per the rival data). While both CPUs sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, the 4500 achieves this with a lower average score, suggesting it is the more consistent performer. The 5355GE's only clear advantage is its integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, which the 4500 lacks, and its 35W TDP versus the 4500's 65W. For a system requiring a discrete GPU, the 4500 is the clear winner; for a compact, low-power build with integrated graphics, the 5355GE is the fallback option.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of AMD's design philosophy, though both are built on the same 7nm TSMC process node. The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE is a Zen 3 part from the Cezanne family, while the Ryzen 5 4500 is a Zen 2 part from the Renoir family. This generational gap is the primary driver of their performance characteristics.

The most significant difference is core count. The 5355GE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the 4500 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 50% increase in core and thread count is the decisive factor in multi-threaded benchmarks. Both CPUs feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but their L3 cache configurations differ. The 5355GE has 8 MB of L3 cache, while the 4500 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The exact allocation is not specified for the 4500, but the total capacity is the same.

Processor size and complexity also differ. The 5355GE has a die size of 180 mm² and contains 10,700 million transistors. The 4500 is smaller at 156 mm² with 9,800 million transistors. This suggests the 5355GE's Zen 3 design packs more logic into a larger area. The 5355GE also features integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the 4500 has no integrated graphics, a critical distinction for system builders. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, but only the 5355GE supports ECC memory. Both use the AM4 socket and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The performance gap is stark and consistent across all multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 4500 scores 13677 against the 5355GE's 10846, a 20.7% difference. This pattern repeats in R20 (5744 vs 4555) and R15 (1378 vs 1093), with identical 20.7% deltas. The 4500's advantage is not just in raw compute but also in memory-intensive tasks. In PassMark data compression, the 4500 scores 228741 versus 152885, a massive 33.2% lead. Data encryption shows a 29.7% gap (13597 vs 9564), and extended instructions show a 31.6% gap (15166 vs 10368).

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE's single-thread performance is its only saving grace. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3089 versus the 4500's 2593, a 19.1% lead. This is a significant margin, indicating that Zen 3's improved instruction pipeline delivers tangible benefits for lightly-threaded workloads. However, this advantage does not appear in Cinebench single-core tests, where the 4500 leads by 20.6-20.7%. This discrepancy suggests the 5355GE's single-thread win is specific to PassMark's methodology, not a universal trait.

Other notable wins for the 4500 include PassMark floating-point math (29405 vs 24115, an 18% lead) and integer math (49707 vs 44665, a 10.1% lead). The 4500 also wins in PassMark physics (726 vs 552, a 24% lead) and multithread (16091 vs 12761, a 20.7% lead). Even in the closest test, PassMark find prime numbers, the 4500 wins 34 vs 31, an 8.8% lead. The consistency of these results leaves no doubt about the 4500's superiority in almost every scenario.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is decisively better. It wins all Cinebench multi-core tests by 20.7% and PassMark multithread by 20.7%. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide a clear advantage over the 4 cores and 8 threads of the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE.

Q: Is the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE better at anything?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3089, which is 19.1% higher than the Ryzen 5 4500's 2593. It also has integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics and a lower 35W TDP, making it suitable for systems without a discrete GPU.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ryzen 5 4500 scores 13677 in multi-core, which is 20.7% higher than the 5355GE's 10846. In single-core, the 4500 scores 1930, which is 20.7% higher than the 5355GE's 1531.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 5 4500 does not. This is a key feature for users who require error-correcting memory for stability-critical workloads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the Ryzen 5 4500's 4.10 GHz. Both have the same base clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has an average benchmark score of 17482, while the Ryzen 5 4500 has an average score of 17333. The 5355GE has a 0.9% higher average score, according to the nearest rival data.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 4500 wins in nearly every category, making it the default choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its wins are most pronounced in data compression (33.2% lead) and extended instructions (31.6% lead), indicating a strong advantage in tasks that leverage parallel processing and complex instruction sets. It is the clear winner for video rendering, software compilation, and heavy multitasking. The 4500 also wins in all Cinebench tests, making it the better option for 3D modeling and animation workloads that rely on these benchmarks. Its larger core count makes it the superior choice for any task that can utilize more than 4 cores.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE's wins are confined to single-threaded PassMark tests. Its 19.1% lead in PassMark single-thread suggests it may offer snappier responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications like web browsing or office productivity. However, this advantage is not reflected in Cinebench single-core tests, where the 4500 wins. Therefore, the 5355GE's single-thread win is narrow and may not translate to real-world performance gains. Its primary utility is its integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, which allows for a complete system without a discrete GPU, and its 35W TDP, which enables lower power consumption and potentially quieter cooling solutions.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several fundamental specifications. The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 4500 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The 5355GE has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which is 0.10 GHz higher than the 4500's 4.10 GHz. The 5355GE has a TDP of 35W, while the 4500 has a TDP of 65W, a significant difference for thermal design.

The 5355GE is based on Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, while the 4500 is based on Zen 2 with the Renoir codename. The 5355GE has a larger die size of 180 mm² and more transistors (10,700 million) compared to the 4500's 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. The 5355GE features integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the 4500 has no integrated graphics. The 5355GE supports ECC memory, while the 4500 does not. The 4500 has an unlocked multiplier, while the 5355GE's multiplier is locked. The 4500 has a launch MSRP of $129, while the 5355GE has no listed launch MSRP. Both CPUs have 8 MB of L3 cache, but the 5355GE's is listed as 8 MB while the 4500's is 8 MB (shared).