AMD Ryzen 5 2400G vs Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 and the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target fundamentally different segments: the Xeon is a mobile workstation part from 2016, while the Ryzen is a desktop APU from 2018. Benchmark data shows the Ryzen 5 2400G dominates in the available head-to-head Cinebench tests, though the Xeon holds its own in average aggregate scores due to a different mix of benchmark results. This analysis compares their architecture, performance, and specifications strictly from the provided data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5's 3.70 GHz.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R15 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G scores 846.5, which is 40.1% higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5's score of 507 in the same test.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G does not.

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

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1456, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G has an average score of 1439. The Xeon is slightly ahead by about 1.2% in this aggregate metric.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 4 MB of shared L3 cache found on the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is listed as active.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two parts is stark, reflecting their different origins. The Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 is built on the Skylake-H architecture using a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G uses the Zen architecture (codenamed Raven Ridge) on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. Despite the same process node, the transistor counts differ massively: the Xeon packs 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die, while the Ryzen integrates 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, indicating a much denser and more complex design.

Cache hierarchies also diverge significantly. The Intel chip allocates 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a large 8 MB shared L3 pool. The AMD part has larger per-core caches at 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2, but its shared L3 is halved to 4 MB. This suggests Intel's design favors a larger last-level cache for its workstation workload, while AMD relies on faster per-core caches.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, whereas the Ryzen 5 2400G supports only DDR4. The Ryzen's memory bandwidth is higher at 46.9 GB/s compared to the Xeon's 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server/workstation stability, which the Ryzen lacks. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the Intel part offering 16 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus 8 lanes on the AMD chip.

Integrated graphics further set them apart. The Xeon includes Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the Ryzen 5 2400G features Radeon RX Vega 11. The market segments confirm the intent: the Xeon is a server/workstation part with a socket of Intel BGA 1440, while the Ryzen is a desktop processor on AMD Socket AM4. The Ryzen is also multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking, whereas the Xeon is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The available head-to-head benchmark data is limited to two Cinebench tests, and in both, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G wins decisively. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 846.5 against the Xeon's 507, a delta of -40.1% from the Xeon's perspective. This is a massive 67% advantage for the AMD chip in raw multi-threaded rendering performance, likely driven by its higher base and boost clocks. The single-core test is even more lopsided: the Ryzen posts 155.65 versus the Xeon's 71, a 54.4% delta, meaning the AMD part is more than twice as fast in single-threaded Cinebench R15.

However, the broader benchmark picture from the aggregate data tells a more nuanced story. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1456, slightly edging out the Ryzen 5 2400G's 1439. This is because the Xeon's benchmark suite includes newer Cinebench R20 and R23 tests, where it scores 2115 multicore/298 singlecore and 5036 multicore/711 singlecore respectively. The Ryzen's dataset includes a Geekbench multicore score of 3750 and a singlecore score of 1003, which are not directly comparable to the Cinebench results.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical, with the Xeon at the 38th percentile and the Ryzen at the 37th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE (average score 1461, -0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i5-7300HQ (average score 1448, 0.6% delta). For the Ryzen 5 2400G, its closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-4712HQ (average score 1436, 0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE (average score 1444, -0.4% delta). This indicates that despite the lopsided Cinebench head-to-head, both CPUs occupy a similar performance tier in the overall database.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is the outright winner in every available head-to-head benchmark, showing a 40.1% lead in multi-core and a 54.4% lead in single-core Cinebench R15. Its higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 2.80 GHz) and boost clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz) directly correlate with these wins. For users prioritizing raw rendering performance in Cinebench, the Ryzen 5 2400G is the definitive pick.

However, the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 has its own strengths that the benchmark numbers do not fully capture. It offers ECC memory support, which is essential for error-critical server or workstation tasks, and it has double the L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB). Its average benchmark score is also slightly higher at 1456 versus 1439, suggesting that in other tests outside the head-to-head set, it performs competitively. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, providing flexibility for existing systems.

The production status is a major differentiator: the Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is active. The Ryzen's launch MSRP was $169, but that price fact is noted here once per policy. The Xeon's $489 launch MSRP reflects its workstation positioning. The Ryzen's unlocked multiplier also makes it more appealing for enthusiasts, while the Xeon is locked. Ultimately, the Ryzen 5 2400G is the better choice for general desktop use and multi-threaded rendering, but the Xeon E3-1515M v5 remains relevant for ECC-capable, workstation-specific builds where its larger cache and memory flexibility matter.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the provided data.

| Field | Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5 | AMD Ryzen 5 2400G |

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

| Series | null | 2000 series |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen |

| Codename | Skylake-H | Raven Ridge |

| Generation | Xeon E3 (Skylake-H) | Ryzen 5 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

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

| Die Size | 171 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 | true | false |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Graphics P580 | Radeon RX Vega 11 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2016-01-23 | 2018-02-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $489 | $169 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Part Number | SR2QT | YD2400C5M4MFB |

| Benchmark Scores | Cinebench R15 MC: 507, SC: 71; R20 MC: 2115, SC: 298; R23 MC: 5036, SC: 711 | Cinebench R15 MC: 846.5, SC: 155.65; Geekbench MC: 3750, SC: 1003 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 38 | 37 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 1456 | 1439 |