CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2124 and AMD Ryzen 5 3550H represent two fundamentally different approaches to the four-core processor. The data shows a clear split: the AMD mobile chip dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel workstation part takes a commanding lead in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark. With the Xeon posting an average benchmark score of 1658 and the Ryzen at 1653, the overall performance gap is razor-thin, but the individual workload results tell a more complex story that goes beyond raw averages.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking divergence appears in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Intel Xeon E-2124 scores 5734 against the Ryzen 5 3550H's 3929.5. That is a 45.9% advantage for Intel, and it is the single largest margin in any shared benchmark. The Xeon's four physical cores, running at a 3.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost clock, clearly scale better under sustained multi-threaded rendering loads than the Ryzen's eight threads at 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. This result suggests that the Xeon's higher thermal envelope, 71 W versus 35 W, allows it to maintain boost frequencies longer, translating directly into a massive multi-core win.

However, the Ryzen 5 3550H strikes back decisively in the Cinebench R15 tests. In multi-core R15, the AMD part scores 742 versus the Xeon's 577, a 22.2% difference favoring the Ryzen. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: the Ryzen posts 144 against the Xeon's 81, a 43.7% margin. These older benchmarks appear to reward the Ryzen's Zen+ architecture's higher per-thread efficiency in certain workloads, or possibly the Xeon's scores are depressed by thermal or power management behaviors specific to that test generation. The fact that the Ryzen wins three out of four head-to-head tests, yet loses the overall average by only 0.3% (1658 vs 1653), highlights how benchmark generation and specific test conditions can flip the narrative.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a closer contest, with the Ryzen 5 3550H taking 886 points versus the Xeon's 809, an 8.7% advantage. This is a more moderate result than the R15 single-core blowout, suggesting that the Ryzen's architectural advantage in single-threaded tasks narrows as the benchmark becomes more demanding. Looking at the nearest rivals, the Xeon E-2124 sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core i5-7600T (1664) and within 0.2% of the Core i5-4670K (1656), while the Ryzen 5 3550H is effectively tied with the Intel Core i7-4810MQ (1651) and trails the Core i5-4670K by just 0.2%. Both processors occupy the same performance tier, yet their individual benchmark signatures could not be more different.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H wins three of the four shared Cinebench tests, taking Cinebench R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, and R23 single-core. The Intel Xeon E-2124 wins only one test, but that win is the Cinebench R23 multi-core by a dominant 45.9% margin.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 has an average benchmark score of 1658, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H scores 1653. The Xeon is 0.3% ahead of the Ryzen in this metric, according to the nearestRivals data. Both processors rank at the 40th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Xeon E-2124 scores 5734 versus the Ryzen 5 3550H's 3929.5, representing a 45.9% advantage for Intel. The largest AMD win is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen leads by 43.7% (144 vs 81).

Q: Are these processors directly comparable in terms of core and thread counts?

A: Both have four physical cores, but the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H supports eight threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel Xeon E-2124 has only four threads. Despite this, the Intel part wins the most demanding multi-core benchmark by a wide margin.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H's 3.70 GHz boost. The Xeon also has a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz compared to the Ryzen's 2.10 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H scores 886 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 8.7% ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2124's 809. This is the closest head-to-head result between the two, aside from the overall average score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E-2124 is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. Its die size is 126 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, on a 12 nm node from GlobalFoundries, with a substantially larger die at 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. The process node difference, 14 nm versus 12 nm, gives AMD a density advantage, though the Xeon's smaller die suggests a more compact design.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 3550H offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel part holds twice the total L3 cache, which likely contributes to its strong Cinebench R23 multi-core performance through better data reuse across cores. The Ryzen's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may help in single-threaded scenarios, consistent with its R15 and R23 single-core wins.

The integrated graphics also differ: the Xeon includes UHD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen 5 3550H features Radeon Vega 8. The Xeon supports ECC memory, making it suitable for workstation reliability, whereas the Ryzen does not. The Intel part uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen also supports PCIe Gen 3 but without specifying lane count. The Xeon's memory bandwidth is rated at 42.7 GB/s over dual-channel DDR4, while the Ryzen's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data.

Specification Differences

The core specifications reveal a workstation versus mobile dichotomy. The Intel Xeon E-2124 is a server/workstation part with a 71 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H is a mobile processor with a 35 W TDP, less than half the power envelope. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP5. The Xeon has 4 cores and 4 threads; the Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for Intel and 2.10 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 4.30 GHz and 3.70 GHz respectively.

The Xeon's launch MSRP was $198, and it is marked as end-of-life, having been released on 2018-07-11. The Ryzen 5 3550H is listed as active, released on 2019-01-05, with no launch MSRP provided. The Xeon has a part number of SR3WQ, while the Ryzen's is YM3500C4T4MFG. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon's cache hierarchy includes 8 MB shared L3, while the Ryzen has 4 MB shared L3. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not. The Xeon's market segment is server/workstation, while the Ryzen is mobile.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the workload and platform constraints. The Intel Xeon E-2124 is the clear pick for multi-threaded rendering tasks that resemble Cinebench R23, where it leads the Ryzen 5 3550H by 45.9%. Its higher TDP and boost clock of 4.30 GHz, combined with 8 MB of L3 cache, deliver sustained performance that the 35 W mobile part cannot match in the most demanding benchmark. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support and a server/workstation market positioning, making it appropriate for reliability-focused builds.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H is the better choice for workloads that resemble the Cinebench R15 suite, where it wins by 22.2% in multi-core and 43.7% in single-core. It also edges out the Xeon in Cinebench R23 single-core by 8.7%, indicating stronger per-thread performance in lighter tasks. Its eight threads provide better parallelism in older benchmarks, and the mobile form factor with 35 W TDP suits compact or power-constrained systems. The Ryzen's active production status and newer release date also suggest ongoing availability.

For users who prioritize raw multi-core throughput in modern rendering applications, the Xeon's R23 result is decisive. For those who value single-thread responsiveness in older software or need a lower-power mobile solution, the Ryzen's three test wins make a compelling case. The overall average scores, 1658 for Intel and 1653 for AMD, indicate that neither processor holds a universal advantage. The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Xeon E-2124 for heavy multi-core workstation loads, the Ryzen 5 3550H for efficiency and single-thread performance in a mobile context.