AMD Ryzen 5 4680U vs Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results between the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U and the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 show a clear split depending on the workload generation. In the older Cinebench R15 suite, the AMD part dominates decisively. In the multi-core R15 test, the Ryzen 5 4680U scores 1291 against the Xeon's 818, a 57.8% advantage. That is a massive gap, and it reflects the Ryzen's six cores and twelve threads outmuscling the Xeon's four cores and eight threads. The single-core R15 result tells a similar story: the AMD chip posts 170 versus 115 for the Intel part, a 47.8% lead. This is surprising on paper because the Xeon has a much higher base clock, but the recorded data shows the older Intel architecture simply falls behind in this specific test.

The picture changes dramatically in the newer Cinebench R23 suite. Here, the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 takes the multi-core crown with a score of 8119, beating the Ryzen's 7073 by 12.9%. This is a substantial reversal. The R23 multi-core test appears to favor the Intel part's higher sustained clock speeds, which reach 4.50 GHz boost, despite the Xeon having fewer cores and threads. In the R23 single-core test, the AMD chip edges out a narrow win: 1163 versus 1146, a margin of just 1.5%. That is close enough to be within noise, but the data records it as a win for the Ryzen.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U wins three of the four head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Xeon wins one. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 2424, placing it at the 48th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Xeon averages 2348, also at the 48th percentile. The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8500B at an average score of 2423 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i7-9850HE at 2421 (0.1% delta). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-9600 at 2354 (-0.3% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X at 2361 (-0.5% delta). In terms of raw average performance, the Ryzen sits slightly higher, but the R23 multi-core result for the Xeon shows it can punch above its average in specific, heavily threaded scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is the clear winner in legacy benchmark suites. If your software stack relies on Cinebench R15 or similar older rendering workloads, the data shows the Ryzen delivers a 57.8% multi-core and 47.8% single-core advantage. This makes it the better choice for older applications that are not optimized for the latest instruction sets or threading models. The Ryzen also wins the R23 single-core test, albeit narrowly, which suggests it holds a slight edge in lightly threaded, modern workloads.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 wins in modern multi-core rendering as measured by Cinebench R23. The 12.9% lead over the Ryzen in that test is significant, and it indicates that the Xeon's combination of high base and boost clocks (4.10 GHz base, 4.50 GHz boost) allows it to sustain heavy multi-threaded loads better than the Ryzen's lower 15 W TDP part. For a server or workstation environment where long-duration, fully threaded render jobs are the norm, the Xeon's R23 multi-core score of 8119 is the standout figure. The Ryzen's 7073 is respectable, but it trails by a clear margin.

For mixed workloads, the average benchmark scores tell a story of near parity. The Ryzen's 2424 average versus the Xeon's 2348 means the AMD part is about 3.2% higher on average, but the individual test results vary widely. The Ryzen excels in older tests, the Xeon excels in the newer multi-core test, and the R23 single-core test is a virtual tie. The choice depends heavily on which benchmark generation matches your actual software.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, with 9,800 million transistors packed into a 156 mm² die. Its architecture is Zen 2, codenamed Renoir, and it belongs to the 4000 series. It has six cores and twelve threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The TDP is a low 15 W, making it a mobile part designed for efficiency. It uses AMD Socket FP6 and supports LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors. ECC memory is not supported. The cache hierarchy is 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. PCIe is Gen 3.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 is a completely different beast. It is built on a 14 nm process at Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The architecture is Kaby Lake, codenamed Kaby Lake-DT, and it is part of the Xeon E3 generation. It has four cores and eight threads, with a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The TDP is a much higher 79 W, reflecting a desktop or server design. It uses Intel Socket 1151 and supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The integrated graphics are HD Graphics P630. ECC memory is supported, which is a key feature for workstation reliability. The cache is 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The node difference is stark: 7 nm versus 14 nm. The Ryzen packs more than six times the transistor count into a slightly smaller die, which explains its efficiency advantage at 15 W versus 79 W. The Xeon compensates with much higher clock speeds, boosting 500 MHz higher than the Ryzen. The memory support differs: LPDDR4 for the AMD part versus DDR4 for the Intel part. ECC support is exclusive to the Xeon, which is a critical differentiator for error-correcting memory in server environments. Both have the same 8 MB shared L3, but the L2 cache differs: 512 KB per core on the Ryzen versus 256 KB per core on the Xeon.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is the better choice for legacy benchmarks and lightly threaded modern workloads. It wins three of four head-to-head tests, including a 57.8% multi-core R15 advantage and a 47.8% single-core R15 advantage. Its 7 nm process and 15 W TDP make it a highly efficient mobile processor. If your software is older or you prioritize single-core responsiveness, the Ryzen is the safer pick.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 is the better choice for modern, heavily threaded multi-core workloads as measured by Cinebench R23. Its 8119 score versus 7073 is a clear 12.9% win. The higher clock speeds (4.10 GHz base, 4.50 GHz boost) and 79 W TDP allow it to sustain performance in demanding server or workstation tasks. Additionally, ECC memory support is a decisive feature for mission-critical applications where data integrity is non-negotiable. The Xeon's average score of 2348 is slightly lower than the Ryzen's 2424, but the R23 multi-core result shows it has a specific strength.

For most users, the Ryzen offers better overall balance across the tested benchmarks. Its average benchmark score is higher, and it wins the single-core R23 test. But for a dedicated rendering node running modern software, the Xeon's R23 multi-core dominance and ECC support make it the practical choice. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a workload-dependent decision.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U averages 2424, which is higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6's 2348.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 beat the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U?

A: The Xeon wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 8119 versus the Ryzen's 7073, a 12.9% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported on the Ryzen. The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 does support ECC.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 has a TDP of 79 W.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has six cores and twelve threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 has four cores and eight threads.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both have 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen has 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 4680U | Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 79 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 160 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | LPDDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 448SP | HD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2021-04-12 | 2017-07-31 |

| Part Number | 100-000000356 | SR373 |