AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE vs Intel Xeon D-1548 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a consistent, narrow margin across all six Cinebench tests, with the Intel Xeon D-1548 winning every single head-to-head matchup. The largest recorded advantage is 2.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the smallest is 2.6%, which appears in the R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core tests. The Intel part also posts a higher average benchmark score of 2231 versus 2175 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE, a difference of roughly 2.6%. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are effectively peers in overall performance distribution.

For buyers who need a server or workstation processor with ECC memory support, the Xeon D-1548 is the clear choice, as it is the only one of the two with that capability. For desktop users who want an unlocked multiplier and integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, the Ryzen 5 3400GE is the only option that offers those features. The data does not indicate any scenario where the Ryzen wins on raw compute, so the decision hinges entirely on platform features, not benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon D-1548 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) generation, using a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The transistor counts differ substantially: the Intel chip packs 3,200 million transistors into a 246 mm² die, while the AMD chip contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. This means the AMD part has a higher transistor density despite the larger absolute count, which is consistent with its newer process node.

The core configurations are fundamentally different. The Xeon D-1548 offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3400GE offers 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel processor has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz, whereas the AMD processor starts at 3.30 GHz and boosts to 4.00 GHz. The AMD part therefore runs at significantly higher clock speeds, but it has half the cores and threads. Cache layouts also differ: the Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core, while the Ryzen provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3.

The memory controllers diverge as well. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, while the Ryzen supports only DDR4, also dual-channel. The Ryzen has a recorded memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s; the Intel part has no bandwidth figure recorded. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the Ryzen. PCIe capabilities show the Xeon with Gen 3 and 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen lists Gen 3 without a lane count. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes Radeon RX Vega 11. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket and is classified as a server/workstation part, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4 and is classified as a desktop part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test gives the Xeon D-1548 a score of 777 against 757 for the Ryzen 5 3400GE, a 2.6% lead. In R15 single-core, the Xeon scores 109 versus 106, a 2.8% advantage, which is the largest margin in the entire comparison. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result shows 3239 for Intel and 3158 for AMD, again a 2.6% gap, while single-core shows 457 versus 445, a 2.7% difference. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core scores are 7713 and 7520, a 2.6% gap, and single-core scores are 1089 and 1061, also a 2.6% gap.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across all six tests, the Intel processor wins by between 2.6% and 2.8%, with no test showing the AMD part ahead. The absolute score differences are small, ranging from 3 points in R15 single-core to 193 points in R23 multi-core. In percentage terms, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is never more than 2.8% behind, which means the two processors are extremely close in raw compute capability despite their very different architectural approaches.

The nearest rival data for the Intel Xeon D-1548 shows an average score of 2231, with the closest competitors being the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 at 2227 (0.2% behind), the Intel Xeon D-1715TER at 2238 (0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i7-8559U at 2225 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i7-5775C at 2224 (0.3% behind). For the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE, the average score is 2175, with the Intel Core i5-1145G7E at 2174 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core i7-1185GRE at 2178 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i5-7640X at 2167 (0.4% behind), and the Intel Core i7-5950HQ at 2158 (0.8% behind). The Xeon's nearest rivals are all within 0.3% of its average score, while the Ryzen's nearest rivals range from 0.1% to 0.8% away.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category except for dual-channel memory bus and PCIe Gen 3 support. The core count is the most significant gap: 8 cores and 16 threads on the Intel side versus 4 cores and 8 threads on the AMD side. Clock speeds favor AMD, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 2.60 GHz. The thermal design power favors AMD as well, at 35 watts versus 45 watts, a 10-watt difference.

The process node is 14 nm for Intel and 12 nm for AMD, with foundries being Intel and GlobalFoundries respectively. Transistor count is higher on the AMD part at 4,940 million versus 3,200 million, but die size is smaller on the AMD part at 210 mm² versus 246 mm². Cache configurations are different in every level: L1 per core is 64 KB on Intel and 96 KB on AMD, L2 per core is 256 KB on Intel and 512 KB on AMD, and L3 is 1.5 MB per core on Intel versus 4 MB shared on AMD. The Intel part supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the AMD part supports only DDR4. The AMD part has a recorded memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s; the Intel part has none recorded. ECC memory is available on Intel but not AMD. PCIe lanes are 24 on Intel with no count recorded for AMD. Integrated graphics are absent on Intel and present as Radeon RX Vega 11 on AMD. The socket types are Intel BGA 1667 and AMD Socket AM4. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, while the Ryzen is a desktop part. The multiplier is locked on Intel and unlocked on AMD. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $555; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel part was released on 2015-10-31, while the AMD part was released on 2019-07-06. Both are listed as active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1548 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is listed only for the Intel Xeon D-1548. The Ryzen 5 3400GE does not support ECC.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE includes Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon D-1548 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is 2.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel Xeon D-1548 scores 109 versus 106 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE.

Q: Are the clock speeds higher on the AMD part?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost on the Intel Xeon D-1548.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Xeon D-1548 has a TDP of 45 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1548 wins every benchmark test in the comparison, with margins ranging from 2.6% to 2.8%. Its advantages come from having twice the core count and thread count of the AMD part, which is particularly relevant for multi-threaded workloads. The data shows consistent wins in all three Cinebench versions across both multi-core and single-core tests, so the Xeon is the stronger choice for any compute-intensive task measured in this database. Additionally, the Xeon supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for server and workstation environments where data integrity is paramount. The 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU provide more expansion capability for server workloads. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in existing systems.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE wins no benchmark tests, but its strengths lie in platform features rather than raw compute scores. It has a lower TDP at 35 watts versus 45 watts, which makes it more power-efficient in absolute terms. It offers an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, and it includes Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics, which means no discrete GPU is required for basic display output. The higher clock speeds, 3.30 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data, but they may benefit lightly threaded tasks that are not captured in the Cinebench suite. The AMD part also uses the AM4 socket, which is a widely used desktop platform. For desktop users who value overclocking, integrated graphics, and lower power draw, the Ryzen 5 3400GE is the appropriate selection, even though the benchmark data shows the Xeon ahead in every measured test.