AMD Ryzen 5 4500U vs Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a split picture between these two processors, with each taking victories in different workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U wins three of the four head-to-head comparisons, but the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 secures the most decisive win in the latest multi-threaded test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U scores 892 against 720 for the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5, a 19.3% advantage. This is a substantial margin in a rendering workload that scales with core count. The Ryzen 5 4500U's six physical cores clearly outperform the Xeon's four cores in this scenario, despite the Xeon's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz.

The single-core results in Cinebench R15 are even more lopsided. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U posts 174 points, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 manages only 101, a 42% deficit. This is the largest delta in any of the four head-to-head tests. The Ryzen's 4.00 GHz boost clock and Zen 2 architecture deliver a commanding lead in lightly threaded workloads.

However, the picture flips dramatically in Cinebench R23 multicore. Here, the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 scores 7146, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U scores 5920, giving the Intel part a 20.7% victory. This reversal suggests that the newer R23 benchmark rewards the Xeon's architecture differently than R15, possibly due to sustained power delivery or memory bandwidth characteristics. The Xeon's 65 W TDP, while much higher than the Ryzen's 15 W, allows for sustained performance that the mobile-oriented Ryzen cannot match in this longer workload.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U again takes the win with 1152 versus 1008, a 12.5% advantage. While this margin is smaller than the R15 single-core gap, it confirms that the Ryzen's per-core performance is consistently stronger across benchmark generations.

The overall win count stands at 1 for the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 and 3 for the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U. The average benchmark score tells a similar story: the Xeon averages 2067, while the Ryzen averages 2035. These figures place both processors in the same performance tier, with the Xeon holding a 1.6% edge in aggregate scoring. Notably, the Xeon's average score puts it within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G and Intel Core i3-10105T, while the Ryzen 5 4500U sits within 0.1% of the Intel Xeon E-2124G.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. It packs 2,300 million transistors into a 171 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node from TSMC, containing 9,800 million transistors in a slightly smaller 156 mm² die. The transistor density difference is stark: AMD packs over four times as many transistors into a smaller area.

Core configuration also differs significantly. The Intel Xeon offers 4 cores and 8 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach its thread count. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U provides 6 physical cores and 6 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. This means the Ryzen has more independent execution units but cannot double its thread capacity. The Xeon's 4 cores with 8 threads can handle more concurrent threads, but each physical core is older and slower per clock.

Cache hierarchies show both similarity and divergence. Both processors share 8 MB of L3 cache and 64 KB of L1 cache per core. However, the L2 cache differs: the Intel Xeon has 256 KB per core, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 512 KB per core, doubling the per-core L2 capacity. This larger L2 could help the Ryzen in workloads that benefit from local data reuse.

Memory support reveals another key difference. The Intel Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U supports DDR4 and LPDDR4, also dual-channel, but with a much higher 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. This 50% bandwidth advantage could explain some of the Ryzen's single-core performance wins, particularly in memory-sensitive tasks. Critically, the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not, making the Xeon suitable for error-corrected server workloads.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Intel Xeon carries Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors. The Xeon targets the server/workstation market segment, while the Ryzen is designed for mobile devices. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Xeon provides 16 lanes of Gen 3, while the Ryzen provides 12 lanes.

The Verdict

The data indicates two distinct usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U wins in three of four head-to-head benchmarks, including both single-core tests and the R15 multicore test. Its 42% lead in R15 single-core and 19.3% lead in R15 multicore demonstrate clear superiority in those workloads. The Ryzen also achieves better results per watt, given its 15 W TDP versus the Xeon's 65 W, though the database does not provide direct performance-per-watt metrics.

However, the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins the most demanding test: Cinebench R23 multicore with a 20.7% margin. This result suggests that for sustained, heavily threaded workloads, the Xeon's architecture and power budget provide an advantage. The Xeon's ECC memory support and server market segment also make it the appropriate choice for workstation or server applications where data integrity is paramount.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical: the Xeon sits at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen sits at the 45th. Their average benchmark scores differ by only 1.6%. This places them in the same performance class, with the choice depending on workload priorities. The Ryzen 5 4500U is the better pick for mobile or power-constrained environments where single-threaded responsiveness matters most. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 is the better pick for sustained multi-threaded rendering combined with ECC memory requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U in Cinebench R15 single-core?

A: The Ryzen 5 4500U scores 174 versus 101 for the Xeon, a 42% advantage in favor of the AMD processor.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a TDP of 65 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: Both processors have the same L3 cache size at 8 MB shared.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 outperform the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U?

A: The Xeon wins in Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 7146 versus 5920, a 20.7% margin.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U wins in scenarios that favor per-core efficiency and lower power consumption. Its 42% lead in R15 single-core indicates strong performance in applications like web browsing, office productivity, and legacy software that relies on one or two threads. The 19.3% margin in R15 multicore also covers moderately threaded workloads such as older rendering tasks or compilation jobs. The Ryzen's 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports this advantage in data-intensive operations. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal limits are strict.

The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins in the Cinebench R23 multicore test, suggesting an advantage in modern, heavily threaded workloads that can sustain high CPU utilization for extended periods. The 65 W TDP allows for consistent power delivery without thermal throttling. The Xeon's ECC memory support makes it the only option of the two for error-sensitive workloads like financial modeling, scientific computing, or database servers. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also provide more expansion capability than the Ryzen's 12 lanes, which matters for workstation configurations with multiple add-in cards.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 | AMD Ryzen 5 4500U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen 2 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 2,300 million | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 171 mm² | 156 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4, LPDDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Graphics P580 | Radeon Graphics 384SP |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2016-05-30 | 2020-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $556 | Not available |

| Part Number | SR2RB | 100-000000084 |