AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U vs Intel Xeon E-2126G Comparison

The data presents a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Intel Xeon E-2126G leads in Geekbench tests. Despite having fewer cores (4 vs 6) and a lower TDP (15W vs 80W), the AMD chip posts higher scores across every Cinebench iteration, from R15 to R23. However, the Intel part counters with a decisive 19.9% win in Geekbench multi-core and a smaller 2.5% edge in single-core. With an average benchmark score of 2842 versus 2829, the two are nearly identical overall, differing by only 0.5%. The choice comes down to which benchmark suite better reflects your target applications.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U is the pick for anyone running Cinebench-heavy workloads, which typically means 3D rendering, animation, or other tasks that scale well with thread count. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with a consistent 5.4% advantage over the Intel Xeon E-2126G in both single-core and multi-core runs. This is notable because the Ryzen achieves it with only 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Zen 3 architecture's efficiency shows: a 15W part outpaces an 80W part in these specific rendering benchmarks.

The Intel Xeon E-2126G is the better choice if Geekbench is your reference point. Its 5743 multi-core score beats the Ryzen's 4788 by a substantial 19.9%, and its single-core score of 1565 edges out the AMD's 1527 by 2.5%. This suggests the Xeon may be better suited for general productivity, office suites, and software that relies on the older Geekbench benchmark's workload patterns. The Xeon also brings server-grade features like ECC memory support, which the Ryzen lacks.

For a mixed workload, the data shows a near-tie. The average scores are 2842 for the Xeon and 2829 for the Ryzen, a difference of just 0.5%. Both sit at the 51st percentile of all CPUs. If you are building a workstation and cannot decide, the Xeon's ECC support and 16 PCIe lanes (versus 8) may tip the scales for reliability and expandability, while the Ryzen's active production status and 7nm process suggest better long-term availability and power efficiency. The Xeon is end-of-life, which is a consideration for new builds.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U scores 9403, which is 5.4% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2126G's 8891. This pattern holds across all Cinebench versions tested.

Q: Which CPU scores higher in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2126G wins decisively with a score of 5743, beating the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U's 4788 by a margin of 19.9%.

Q: Do these CPUs have the same number of cores?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2126G has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD chip uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2126G supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2126G has a TDP of 80W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U has a TDP of just 15W. The AMD chip is far more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which CPU is still in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U is marked as "Active" in production status, while the Intel Xeon E-2126G is listed as "End-of-life."

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E-2126G is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, using a 14nm process node fabricated by Intel. It has a die size of 154 mm². The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne-U codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 7nm process. This more advanced process node helps explain the AMD chip's efficiency, despite its larger die size of 180 mm². The AMD chip also contains 10,700 million transistors, a figure not listed for the Intel part.

Cache layouts differ significantly as well. Both share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core. However, the L2 cache doubles on the AMD side: 512 KB per core versus 256 KB per core on the Intel. The shared L3 cache also favors the Intel part in total size, with 12 MB shared, while the AMD offers 8 MB shared. This means the Xeon has more total cache (6 cores × 256 KB L2 + 12 MB L3 = 13.5 MB) versus the Ryzen (4 cores × 512 KB L2 + 8 MB L3 = 10 MB). The Intel part also features integrated graphics as HD Graphics P630, while the AMD includes Radeon Vega 6.

The market segments tell a story: the Xeon is aimed at Server/Workstation use, while the Ryzen is a Mobile part. This is reflected in their sockets (Intel Socket 1151 vs AMD Socket FP6) and PCIe lane counts. The Xeon offers Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen provides Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only). Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but memory bandwidth differs: the Xeon reaches 42.7 GB/s, while the Ryzen achieves 51.2 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the key specifications where these two CPUs diverge:

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2126G | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 80W | 15W |

| Process Node | 14nm | 7nm |

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Support | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 8 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P630 | Radeon Vega 6 |

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

| Release Date | 2018-07-11 | 2021-03-15 |

The launch MSRP for the Intel Xeon E-2126G is $255. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a stark split between the two test suites. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U wins every Cinebench test, while the Intel Xeon E-2126G wins every Geekbench test.

In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen scores 947 multi-core versus the Xeon's 896, a 5.4% difference. The single-core results follow the same pattern: 133 for the Ryzen versus 126 for the Xeon, also a 5.3% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Ryzen maintains its advantage with 3949 multi-core and 557 single-core, compared to the Xeon's 3734 and 527. This is again a 5.4% edge in both tests. The most recent Cinebench R23 shows the same story: the Ryzen hits 9403 multi-core and 1327 single-core, while the Xeon manages 8891 and 1255, respectively. Each of these six tests shows the AMD winning by exactly 5.4% (or 5.3% in one case).

Geekbench flips the script. In the multi-core test, the Xeon scores 5743, which is 19.9% higher than the Ryzen's 4788. This is the largest margin of any comparison in the dataset. The single-core Geekbench test is much closer: the Xeon's 1565 beats the Ryzen's 1527 by just 2.5%. This suggests the Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz (versus 4.00 GHz) and additional physical cores give it an edge in Geekbench's specific workload mix.

Overall, the AMD wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel wins 2. However, the magnitude of Intel's Geekbench multi-core win (19.9%) partially offsets AMD's consistent but smaller Cinebench margins (5.4%).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads. If your workflow involves 3D rendering, animation, or video encoding that uses Cinebench's rendering engine, the Ryzen's consistent 5.4% advantage across all three Cinebench versions is the deciding factor. It achieves this with a 15W TDP, making it suitable for compact, power-efficient builds or laptops where thermal headroom is limited. The Ryzen's 8 threads (versus 6 on the Xeon) likely contribute to its multi-core Cinebench performance, despite having fewer physical cores.

The Intel Xeon E-2126G wins in Geekbench scenarios. For general-purpose computing, office productivity, and software that aligns with Geekbench's test patterns, the Xeon's 19.9% multi-core lead is substantial. This is a meaningful advantage for tasks like code compilation, spreadsheet calculations, or database work that may not use Cinebench's rendering paths. The Xeon's 16 PCIe lanes (double the Ryzen's 8) also make it more suitable for workstation builds with multiple expansion cards, and its ECC memory support is critical for mission-critical servers where data integrity is paramount. The Xeon's higher base and boost clocks (3.30/4.50 GHz vs 2.60/4.00 GHz) help in lightly-threaded tasks where clock speed matters more than core count.

For everything else, the data shows a near-tie. The average benchmark scores differ by only 0.5%, placing both CPUs at the same 51st percentile. The Ryzen's active production status is a practical advantage for new system builders, as the Xeon is end-of-life. If you need a drop-in replacement for an existing Socket 1151 workstation, the Xeon is the obvious choice; if you are designing a new, efficient system and value rendering performance, the Ryzen's benchmark wins make it the data-backed recommendation.