AMD Ryzen 5 4500U vs Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results split these two processors along clear generational and architectural lines. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U claims the majority of the recorded wins, taking three out of four head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 secures a single, decisive victory in one multi-core workload.

The Ryzen 5 4500U dominates in single-threaded performance. Across both Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests, the AMD part holds a commanding lead. This is the expected outcome for a mobile processor built on a modern 7 nm node versus a server chip from the Haswell era. The Ryzen's advantage in single-core tests makes it the clear choice for lightly threaded workloads, everyday responsiveness, and applications that rely on one or two fast cores.

The Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, posting a score of 7179 against the Ryzen's 5920. This 21.3% advantage comes from the Xeon's higher core and thread count. With 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Ryzen's 6 cores and 6 threads, the Intel part leverages its extra parallel resources in this specific rendering workload. However, it is notably in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen wins with 892 versus 723, a reversal that highlights how benchmark versions and workload scaling can change the outcome.

The Ryzen 5 4500U also wins decisively in the Cinebench R15 single-core test with 174 versus 102, a 41.4% gap. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set. The Xeon's single-core score of 102 reflects its older architecture and lower 3.00 GHz boost clock, while the Ryzen's 4.00 GHz boost clock and Zen 2 efficiency deliver a much stronger result.

For users, the split is straightforward. The Xeon E5-2628 v3 is the better choice for heavily threaded, long-running multi-core workloads that resemble the Cinebench R23 render test. The Ryzen 5 4500U is the better all-rounder, offering superior single-thread performance and winning the R15 multi-core test as well, making it more versatile for mixed usage patterns.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies separated by roughly five years of silicon evolution.

The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is built on the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-EP variant, using Intel's 22 nm process node. It packs 2,600 million transistors onto a 356 mm² die, reflecting the larger, power-hungry design typical of early-2010s server chips. The Xeon operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, with a thermal design power of 85 watts. It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and supports DDR4 memory through a quad-channel memory bus, delivering 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 20 MB shared L3 cache. ECC memory is supported, and the chip provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. It has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server/workstation market segment. The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of September 2014.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U, by contrast, is a mobile processor built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, using TSMC's 7 nm process node. It integrates 9,800 million transistors onto a much smaller 156 mm² die, a signal of the density improvements of modern manufacturing. The base clock is 2.30 GHz, but the boost clock reaches 4.00 GHz, significantly higher than the Xeon. The thermal design power is just 15 watts, a fraction of the Xeon's 85 watts, underscoring its mobile efficiency focus. It uses the AMD Socket FP6 platform and supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus, providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Cache amounts include 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core (double the Xeon's per-core L2), and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. ECC memory is not supported. The Ryzen provides 12 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU and includes integrated Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors, a feature entirely absent on the Xeon. The production status is active, with a release date of January 2020.

The most striking architectural differences are the process node (22 nm versus 7 nm), the transistor density (the Ryzen has more than three times the transistor count on less than half the die area), and the core/thread configuration. The Xeon offers 8 cores and 16 threads with Hyper-Threading, while the Ryzen offers 6 cores and 6 threads with no SMT. The Xeon also has a larger shared L3 cache (20 MB versus 8 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s), though the Ryzen counters with a higher boost clock and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data provides a clear picture of performance deltas across four Cinebench tests.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U wins with 892 points against the Intel Xeon's 723 points. The delta is 18.9% in favor of AMD. This result is notable because the Xeon has two additional cores and ten additional threads, yet the Ryzen's newer architecture and higher boost clock overcome that raw resource disadvantage in this test.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen wins decisively with 174 points versus 102 points. The delta is 41.4%, the largest margin in the entire comparison. The Xeon's single-core score of 102 is particularly low, reflecting its modest 3.00 GHz boost clock and older Haswell core design.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 takes the win with 7179 points versus 5920 points for the Ryzen. The delta is 21.3% in favor of Intel. This is the only test where the Xeon comes out ahead. The Ryzen's lack of SMT (6 cores, 6 threads) may be a limiting factor in this more demanding render workload, while the Xeon's 16 threads allow it to scale better.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen wins again with 1152 points versus 1013 points. The delta is 12.1% in favor of AMD. While this margin is smaller than the R15 single-core gap, it still shows a clear single-thread advantage for the Ryzen.

Looking at the broader database context, the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 sits at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2076. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2123 (average score 2079, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i3-9350KF (2082, delta 0.3%), the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 (2067, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (2086, delta 0.5%). The Xeon is essentially at parity with these parts, trading fractions of a percent.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U sits at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2035. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2124G (2034, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i7-3960X (2037, delta 0.1%), the AMD Opteron 6386 SE (2038, delta 0.1%), and the Intel Core i7-7700T (2039, delta 0.2%). The Ryzen is similarly clustered at parity with these parts.

The average benchmark score difference between the two is small: 2076 for the Xeon versus 2035 for the Ryzen, a gap of roughly 2%. Yet the distribution of wins tells a more nuanced story, with the Ryzen taking three of four head-to-head tests and the Xeon winning the most demanding multi-core render.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U wins both single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 174 versus 102 for the Xeon, a 41.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1152 versus 1013, a 12.1% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Xeon wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 7179 versus 5920 for the Ryzen, a 21.3% advantage. This is its only head-to-head win out of four recorded tests.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Xeon has two more cores and ten more threads.

Q: How do their thermal design powers compare?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has a thermal design power of 85 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has a thermal design power of 15 watts. The Ryzen uses significantly less power.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors. The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field recorded in the database.

• Cores: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 6 cores.
• Threads: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 16 threads, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 6 threads.
• Base Clock: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 runs at 2.50 GHz, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U runs at 2.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 boosts to 3.00 GHz, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U boosts to 4.00 GHz.
• TDP: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is rated at 85 watts, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is rated at 15 watts.
• Socket: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U uses AMD Socket FP6.
• Architecture: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses Haswell, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U uses Zen 2.
• Process Node: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is built on 22 nm, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is built on 7 nm.
• Foundry: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is fabricated by Intel, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is fabricated by TSMC.
• Transistors: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 2,600 million, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 9,800 million.
• Die Size: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 measures 356 mm², AMD Ryzen 5 4500U measures 156 mm².
• L2 Cache: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 256 KB per core, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 512 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 20 MB shared, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 8 MB shared.
• Memory Support: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports DDR4, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U supports DDR4 and LPDDR4.
• Memory Bus: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 uses quad-channel, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U uses dual-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 offers 68.3 GB/s, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U offers 51.2 GB/s.
• ECC Memory: Supported on Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3, not supported on AMD Ryzen 5 4500U.
• PCIe Lanes: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 provides 40 Gen 3 lanes, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U provides 12 Gen 3 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: None on Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3, Radeon Graphics 384SP on AMD Ryzen 5 4500U.
• Market Segment: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 targets server/workstation, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U targets mobile.
• Production Status: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 is end-of-life, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is active.
• Release Date: Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 released September 2014, AMD Ryzen 5 4500U released January 2020.