AMD Ryzen 5 2400G vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they are built for entirely different purposes. The Xeon is a low-power workstation part, while the Ryzen is a mainstream desktop APU. The benchmark data shows the Ryzen 5 2400G is decisively faster in every head-to-head test, but the Xeon counters with features and platform attributes the Ryzen lacks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only two benchmarks shared by both processors are Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core tests, and the results are not close. In the multi-core test, the Ryzen 5 2400G scores 846.5, while the Xeon E3-1505L v5 manages just 503. This is a 40.6% deficit for the Xeon, meaning the Ryzen completes heavily threaded workloads significantly faster. The gap widens even further in the single-core test, where the Ryzen scores 155.65 versus the Xeon’s 71. That is a 54.4% difference, showing a massive advantage in lightly-threaded responsiveness for the AMD part.

The two chips also appear in each other’s nearestRivals lists, confirming they are close in overall average benchmark scores despite the Cinebench disparity. The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 1446, and the Ryzen sits at 1439, a delta of only 0.5% in the Xeon’s favor. That overall parity stems from the fact that the Xeon has additional Cinebench R20 and R23 scores in its benchmark set, where it posts 2099 and 4999 multi-core, and 296 and 705 single-core, respectively. The Ryzen does not have those tests recorded, so its average is pulled from fewer data points. Still, the head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Ryzen 5 2400G is the faster CPU in both multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads.

Looking at the nearestRivals for each chip, the Xeon’s average score of 1446 puts it just 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 6378 and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-7300HQ, while the Ryzen 5 2400G’s 1439 average is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-4712HQ and 0.5% behind the same Intel Core i7-2600K. The deltaPct values show that both CPUs are clustered within a very tight performance band when averaging across their respective benchmark suites, but the direct Cinebench comparison reveals the Ryzen’s clear edge in that specific workload.

Architecture Differences

The Xeon E3-1505L v5 is built on Intel’s Skylake-H architecture, using a 14 nm process fabricated by Intel itself. It contains 2,300 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The Ryzen 5 2400G uses AMD’s Zen architecture under the Raven Ridge codename, also on a 14 nm node, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. That is more than double the transistor count and a substantially larger physical die, reflecting the integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics and the different design philosophy.

Cache layouts differ significantly between the two. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Ryzen offers a larger 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen’s larger per-core caches help feed its higher clock speeds, while the Xeon’s larger L3 pool benefits workloads that share data across cores.

The integrated graphics are a major differentiator. The Xeon comes with Intel HD Graphics P530, which is a basic workstation-oriented iGPU. The Ryzen 5 2400G includes Radeon RX Vega 11, a much more capable integrated graphics solution that is a core part of its APU design. This is not a minor feature difference; it fundamentally changes what each chip can do without a discrete GPU.

Memory support also diverges. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Ryzen is limited to DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Ryzen has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 46.9 GB/s versus the Xeon’s 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is critical for stability in server or workstation environments, while the Ryzen does not. The PCIe lanes also differ: the Xeon provides 16 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen only offers 8 Gen 3 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 2400G wins outright in raw CPU performance. The Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core tests show it is 40.6% and 54.4% ahead of the Xeon, respectively. For any user running rendering, compilation, or general desktop tasks that rely on CPU throughput, the Ryzen is the clear choice. Its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the Xeon’s 2.00 GHz base and 2.80 GHz boost, explain much of this advantage. The Ryzen also has a higher average benchmark score in its nearestRivals comparison, sitting at 1446 versus the Xeon’s 1439 when accounting for the full suite of available tests.

The Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins in platform flexibility and power efficiency. Its 25 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Ryzen’s 65 W, making it suitable for thermally constrained designs like compact workstations or embedded systems. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is essential for error-correcting workloads in scientific computing or file servers. It also supports both DDR3 and DDR4, allowing upgrades from older memory platforms. The Xeon’s 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more bandwidth for add-in cards than the Ryzen’s 8 lanes. While the Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, the Xeon is locked, so the Intel part is better for users who need a stable, predictable, low-power platform rather than maximum performance.

For gaming or media consumption on a budget without a discrete GPU, the Ryzen 5 2400G is the obvious winner because of its Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics. The Xeon’s HD Graphics P530 is not designed for that purpose, and its lower memory bandwidth further hampers any iGPU use.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 | AMD Ryzen 5 2400G |

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

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Process Node | 14 nm (Intel) | 14 nm (GlobalFoundries) |

| Transistors | 2,300 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P530 | Radeon RX Vega 11 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $433 | $169 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is significantly faster. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 846.5 compared to the Xeon’s 503, a 40.6% advantage.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 2400G dominates single-core performance with a Cinebench R15 score of 155.65 versus the Xeon’s 71, giving the AMD chip a 54.4% lead.

Q: Does the Xeon support error-correcting memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G does not support ECC.

Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G includes Radeon RX Vega 11, while the Xeon has HD Graphics P530. The Ryzen’s iGPU is designed for more demanding visual tasks.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The Xeon has a 25 W TDP, while the Ryzen 5 2400G has a 65 W TDP. The Xeon uses significantly less power.

Q: Can the Ryzen 5 2400G be overclocked?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 2400G has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon E3-1505L v5 is multiplier-locked.

The Verdict

The data is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is the faster processor in every benchmark where both are measured. It wins by 40.6% in multi-core and 54.4% in single-core Cinebench R15 tests. Its higher clock speeds, larger per-core caches, and more capable integrated graphics make it the right choice for any general-purpose desktop build, especially where gaming or media work is expected without a separate graphics card.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 is not competitive on raw speed, but it is not meant to be. Its 25 W TDP, ECC memory support, and compatibility with both DDR3 and DDR4 point to a different use case: low-power servers, embedded systems, or workstations where stability and error correction matter more than throughput. The Xeon also offers twice the PCIe lanes (16 versus 8) and was launched at a $433 MSRP, reflecting its workstation positioning.

Choose the Ryzen 5 2400G if you need performance per watt in a desktop context, plan to overclock, or want usable integrated graphics. Choose the Xeon E3-1505L v5 if you require ECC memory, have strict power limits, or need a platform that supports older DDR3 memory. The overall benchmark averages are nearly identical — 1446 for the Xeon and 1439 for the Ryzen — but the head-to-head tests show the Ryzen is the better CPU for anyone prioritizing speed.