AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE vs Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 Comparison

The benchmark data presents a fascinating study in contrasting design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3, a 10-core server monster from 2015, and the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE, a 35-watt desktop APU from 2018, are separated by generations and purpose, yet their benchmark scores are remarkably close. The data reveals that while the Xeon edges out a win in every recorded test, the margins are so narrow that they raise significant questions about the relevance of raw core counts and clock speeds in modern workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding in the dataset is that the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, but by margins that are almost statistically insignificant. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Xeon scores 619 against the Ryzen's 615, a delta of just 0.7%. This pattern holds across the entire benchmark suite. The single-core R15 result shows a 1.2% lead for Intel (87 vs. 86), the largest relative gap of any test. In the more demanding Cinebench R20 and R23 workloads, the Xeon's advantage shrinks to a consistent 0.6% in both multi-core and single-core tests.

These results are counterintuitive given the hardware specifications. The Xeon possesses 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2400GE has only 4 cores and 8 threads. A 150% advantage in core count yields only a 0.6% lead in multi-core rendering? The data suggests that the Ryzen's much higher base clock of 3.20 GHz (versus 1.70 GHz) and boost clock of 3.80 GHz are compensating for its lack of physical cores. The Ryzen's per-core performance appears to be dramatically higher, allowing it to nearly match a processor with two and a half times the core count.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the Xeon posts a 1777 average, landing it at the 41st percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300, which scores 1778, a delta of -0.1% — essentially a tie. The Ryzen 5 2400GE, with an average of 1766, sits at the same 41st percentile. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-4870HQ at 1769 (-0.2%). The data suggests both processors are equivalent performers in aggregate, with a mere 11-point average score difference between them. The Xeon's 0.2% lead over the Intel Xeon E5-2637 v3 and the Ryzen's 0.2% lead over the Intel Xeon E-2224 place both firmly in a competitive mid-range performance tier despite their different origins.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two chips explains how such different designs achieve similar results. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP architecture using a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 2,600 million transistors into a 356 mm² die. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE uses the Zen architecture (codenamed Raven Ridge), manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. The AMD chip contains 4,950 million transistors on a smaller 210 mm² die, meaning it crams nearly twice as many transistors into a smaller space, which accounts for its superior per-core efficiency.

Cache hierarchies tell a similar story of different priorities. The Xeon allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a massive 25 MB of shared L3 cache. This large pool of L3 is designed to feed many cores simultaneously. The Ryzen, by contrast, uses 128 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen's per-core cache is larger, but its shared pool is a fraction of the Xeon's. This indicates the Xeon is built for high-core-count throughput, while the Ryzen is optimized for lower-latency single-core execution.

Memory architecture further differentiates them. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC memory, essential for server workloads. The Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The Xeon also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, versus just 8 lanes on the Ryzen. The Xeon's 105W TDP towers over the Ryzen's 35W TDP, a three-fold difference that highlights the efficiency of the newer Zen architecture. The Ryzen is also a true APU, integrating Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: these processors are performance equals in the Cinebench workloads tested, with the Xeon holding a razor-thin edge in every single test. The Xeon's six wins out of six benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 0.6% to 1.2%, are technically victories but practically ties. The Ryzen 5 2400GE, despite having 60% fewer cores, nearly matches the Xeon across the board. This is a remarkable achievement for the AMD part.

For a buyer, the choice comes down to platform features rather than raw performance. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 is end-of-life, launched with a $1219 MSRP, and targets the server/workstation segment. It offers ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth, and 40 PCIe lanes — features critical for servers but irrelevant for most desktop users. The Ryzen 5 2400GE is an active, current product for desktop use, with an unlocked multiplier, integrated graphics, and a vastly lower 35W TDP. Its dual-channel memory and 8 PCIe lanes are sufficient for a mainstream desktop. The benchmark data suggests that for pure CPU rendering performance, users will see no practical difference. The Xeon wins on paper, but the Ryzen's platform advantages and efficiency make it the more sensible choice for a desktop build.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification field except memory support (both DDR4) and production status (both are listed, though the Xeon is end-of-life while the Ryzen is active). Key differences include:

• Cores/Threads: Xeon has 10 cores/20 threads; Ryzen has 4 cores/8 threads.
• Base Clock: Xeon runs at 1.70 GHz; Ryzen at 3.20 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Xeon has none listed; Ryzen boosts to 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: Xeon is 105W; Ryzen is 35W.
• Socket: Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3; Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4.
• Process Node: Xeon is 22 nm; Ryzen is 14 nm.
• Transistors: Xeon has 2,600 million; Ryzen has 4,950 million.
• Die Size: Xeon is 356 mm²; Ryzen is 210 mm².
• L1 Cache: Xeon has 64 KB per core; Ryzen has 128 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: Xeon has 256 KB per core; Ryzen has 512 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: Xeon has 25 MB shared; Ryzen has 4 MB shared.
• Memory Bus: Xeon is quad-channel; Ryzen is dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: Xeon is 51.2 GB/s; Ryzen is 46.9 GB/s.
• ECC Support: Xeon supports ECC; Ryzen does not.
• PCIe Lanes: Xeon has 40 lanes; Ryzen has 8 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: Xeon has none; Ryzen has Radeon RX Vega 11.
• Multiplier: Xeon is locked; Ryzen is unlocked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Is the Xeon significantly faster in multi-core workloads?

A: No. Despite having 150% more cores, the Xeon leads the Ryzen by only 0.7% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 0.6% in R20 multicore, and 0.6% in R23 multicore.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Xeon has a TDP of 105W, while the Ryzen 5 2400GE has a TDP of just 35W, making the AMD chip three times more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Does the Ryzen have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 2400GE includes Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE does not.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Xeon has 25 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen has only 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins every recorded benchmark, but the margins are so small they are effectively meaningless for real-world performance. The Xeon's true advantages lie in its platform capabilities. For server or workstation environments requiring ECC memory, quad-channel memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s), or 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, the Xeon is the only choice here. Its 25 MB of L3 cache and 20 threads make it suitable for highly parallel server workloads that can utilize many threads, even if the Cinebench scores suggest the Ryzen keeps pace. The Xeon's end-of-life status and $1219 launch MSRP indicate it was designed for a different era and a different market segment.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE wins in every category not measured by Cinebench. Its 35W TDP makes it suitable for compact, low-power builds where the Xeon's 105W TDP would be prohibitive. The integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential that the locked Xeon cannot match. Its 4,950 million transistors on a 14 nm process represent a more modern design, and its active production status means it remains a viable purchase today. The Ryzen's dual-channel memory and 8 PCIe lanes are adequate for desktop use. For a user building a new desktop system, the Ryzen 5 2400GE is the clear winner due to its efficiency, features, and platform longevity. The data shows that the Xeon's performance is technically superior, but the Ryzen's overall package is far more compelling for modern desktop use cases.