CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear, if nuanced, picture of these two 4-core processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 decisively wins the majority of the head-to-head comparisons, but the Intel Xeon E-2104G secures the most important victory in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test. This results in a split recommendation: the Ryzen is the better all-rounder for general and single-threaded tasks, while the Xeon is the specific choice for heavily multi-threaded professional workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 delivers a score of 133.75 against the Intel Xeon E-2104G's 68. This translates to a massive 96.7% advantage for the AMD part, indicating a substantial lead in lightly-threaded performance. This is not a marginal difference; the Ryzen effectively doubles the single-thread performance of the Xeon in this specific test.

The multi-core results tell a more divided story. In the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 5 1400 again takes the lead, scoring 688 compared to the Xeon's 488. This 41% delta is a significant win for AMD, showcasing the advantage of its 8 threads over the Xeon's 4 threads in this workload.

However, the tables turn in the more recent Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark. Here, the Intel Xeon E-2104G scores 4847, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 scores 3985. The data shows a -17.8% delta for the AMD part, meaning the Xeon is 17.8% ahead of the Ryzen. This is a substantial reversal and the single benchmark win for the Intel processor. It suggests that the Xeon's architecture is more efficient in this newer, more demanding rendering test, despite having fewer threads.

In the final head-to-head test, Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 reasserts its dominance with a score of 832 versus the Xeon's 684. This 21.6% advantage for the Ryzen reinforces the pattern seen in the R15 single-core test. Overall, the Ryzen 5 1400 wins 3 out of 4 benchmark comparisons, but the Xeon's single victory in R23 multi-core is a critical data point for any analysis.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures and platform designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is based on the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, and is manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. The Intel Xeon E-2104G is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, and is manufactured by Intel on its own 14 nm process.

The most impactful difference lies in core and thread counts. The AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads, thanks to its Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) technology. In contrast, the Intel Xeon E-2104G has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading support. This gives the AMD processor a significant theoretical advantage in workloads that can utilize more than 4 threads, which is a likely contributor to its R15 multi-core win.

Cache hierarchies also differ notably. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 features a larger L1 cache (96 KB per core) and L2 cache (512 KB per core) compared to the Intel Xeon's 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively. Both processors share an 8 MB L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the AMD part can help improve performance in certain latency-sensitive tasks.

The physical characteristics also diverge. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has a die size of 213 mm² and contains 4,800 million transistors. The Intel Xeon E-2104G has a smaller die size of 126 mm², with transistor count not listed in the data. The AMD processor is also unlocked, allowing for overclocking, while the Intel Xeon is locked. They use different sockets (AMD Socket AM4 vs. Intel Socket 1151), and while both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, the Ryzen is a desktop part while the Xeon is classified as a server/workstation part.

Another key difference is the integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E-2104G includes UHD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has no integrated graphics. This means the AMD part requires a discrete graphics card to output video, while the Intel part can operate with a basic display adapter.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark results, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the winner for tasks that are lightly threaded or that benefit from a high single-core clock speed. The overwhelming 96.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and the 21.6% lead in R23 single-core make it the clear choice for general desktop use, older applications, and software that is not optimized for many cores. Its 8 threads also provide a solid foundation for multitasking and older multi-threaded applications, as demonstrated by its 41% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

The Intel Xeon E-2104G's sole victory is in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it is 17.8% faster than the AMD rival. This indicates a specific strength in modern, heavily multi-threaded rendering workloads. The Xeon's architecture appears to scale better in this stress test, which is a common proxy for professional 3D rendering and content creation. This makes it the more suitable option for a workstation primarily dedicated to such tasks. Its integrated graphics also give it a functional advantage for basic display output without a dedicated GPU, though this is a feature-based, not performance-based, win.

The Verdict

The data supports a decisive but workload-dependent verdict. For a general-purpose desktop processor, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the superior choice. It wins three of the four benchmark comparisons, including both single-core tests, and offers double the thread count. Its overall average benchmark score of 1410 is also slightly higher than the Xeon's 1402. The Ryzen is the more versatile and capable processor for everyday computing and a wider range of software.

The Intel Xeon E-2104G is the better choice for a very specific user: someone running modern, multi-threaded workloads similar to Cinebench R23 multi-core. In that scenario, its 17.8% performance lead is significant. This positions it as a targeted tool for a professional workstation focused on newer rendering applications. However, its lack of hyper-threading and poor single-core performance make it a less compelling all-around option.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the recommended pick for most users seeking a balanced, high-performing desktop CPU. The Intel Xeon E-2104G is recommended specifically for users whose primary applications are modern, multi-threaded rendering tasks, where its performance advantage is clear and actionable.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is significantly faster. It leads by 96.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core and by 21.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: The Intel Xeon has fewer threads, so why does it win in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: Despite having 4 threads versus the Ryzen's 8, the Xeon E-2104G scores 4847 in that test compared to the Ryzen's 3985. The data indicates a 17.8% performance advantage for the Xeon in this specific modern workload, suggesting superior architectural efficiency in that benchmark.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 and the Intel Xeon E-2104G list ECC memory support as a feature.

Q: Does one processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The Intel Xeon E-2104G includes UHD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 does not have an integrated GPU.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has an average benchmark score of 1410, while the Intel Xeon E-2104G has an average score of 1402. The difference is minimal, less than 1%.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has 8 threads (4 cores with SMT), while the Intel Xeon E-2104G has 4 threads (4 cores without hyper-threading).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | Intel Xeon E-2104G |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | None (Base clock only) |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 126 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

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

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2017-04-10 | 2018-07-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $169 | $193 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | YD1400BBM4KAEYD1400BBAEBOX | SR3WV |