AMD Ryzen 5 5625U vs Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results split exactly down the middle, with each processor taking two wins. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U dominates the Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 strikes back decisively in Cinebench R23. This split is unusual, as it suggests the two CPUs are optimized for different workloads rather than one being universally faster.

Starting with the AMD wins, the Ryzen 5 5625U scores 1447 in Cinebench R15 multicore against the Xeon's 1098, a 24.1% advantage. The single-core R15 gap is even larger: 223 versus 155, putting the AMD chip 30.5% ahead. These are substantial margins, particularly the single-core result, which reflects the Ryzen's much higher boost clock and modern architecture efficiency.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 fights back in Cinebench R23. Its multicore score of 10904 towers over the Ryzen's 8290, a 31.5% lead for the older server chip. The single-core R23 result also favors Intel, with 1539 against 1379, an 11.6% edge. This reversal is curious: the Xeon wins the newer multicore test despite having fewer R15 multicore points. The R23 workload likely scales better with the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads compared to the Ryzen's 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas R15 may favor the Ryzen's higher clock speeds and newer core design.

Looking at the broader database picture, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has an average benchmark score of 3154, placing it at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U at 3159, a mere 0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U averages 3096, sitting at the 52nd percentile, with the Intel Xeon W-2133 just 0.3% behind at 3087. The two processors are nearly identical in overall standing, separated by only 58 points in average score, which makes their divergent benchmark results all the more interesting.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is generational and fundamental. The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses the Broadwell-EP architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, built by Intel itself. It packs 3,400 million transistors into a 246 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U uses Zen 3, codenamed Barcelo, on TSMC's 7 nm node, with 10,700 million transistors across a 180 mm² die. That is more than three times the transistor count in a smaller physical area, a signal of the density advantage of the newer process.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The Xeon offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ryzen provides 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 2.20 GHz with a 2.90 GHz boost, whereas the Ryzen starts at 2.30 GHz and boosts to 4.30 GHz. The Ryzen's 1.4 GHz boost advantage explains its single-core wins, while the Xeon's double core count explains its multicore strength in R23.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core, but the Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core against the Ryzen's 512 KB per core. L3 cache favors the Xeon at 30 MB shared versus 16 MB shared on the Ryzen. The Xeon's larger L3 is typical for server parts, while the Ryzen's doubled L2 reflects a more modern design philosophy.

Memory support shows another split. Both support DDR4, but the Xeon runs quad-channel with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes, the Ryzen Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Xeon targets server/workstation workloads where memory bandwidth and expansion capacity matter, while the Ryzen is a mobile part with integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, relying on discrete GPUs.

Power envelopes are dramatically different. The Xeon has a 105 W TDP, the Ryzen just 15 W. That sevenfold difference has major implications for cooling, system design, and total platform cost, though it is not directly reflected in the benchmark scores.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data points to clear use-case separation. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U wins in workloads that resemble Cinebench R15: those that respond to high clock speeds and efficient single-thread execution. The 30.5% single-core R15 advantage is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Applications like lightly threaded productivity tasks, web browsing, and interactive desktop use would favor the Ryzen. Its 4.30 GHz boost clock, nearly 1.5 GHz higher than the Xeon's, is the decisive factor.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 wins in heavily threaded scenarios, as shown by its 31.5% multicore lead in Cinebench R23. The Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with 30 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel memory bandwidth at 68.3 GB/s, make it suited for rendering, compilation, virtualization, and server workloads that scale across many threads. The R23 multicore test is known to scale well with core count, which explains why the Xeon's double core advantage overcomes the Ryzen's clock speed edge.

The single-core R23 result is the outlier. Intel wins 1539 to 1379, an 11.6% margin. This is surprising given the Ryzen's clock advantage, but the data is unambiguous. It suggests that the Xeon's Broadwell architecture, despite being older, executes certain single-threaded instruction patterns more efficiently than the Zen 3 core in this particular test. This mixed result means neither CPU is universally superior in single-threaded work.

For battery-conscious mobile use, the Ryzen's 15 W TDP makes it the only practical choice; the Xeon's 105 W TDP is not suited to portable systems. For rack-mounted servers workstations with adequate cooling, the Xeon's higher core count and memory bandwidth give it the edge in throughput-oriented tasks.

The Verdict

The data does not crown a single winner. Instead, it describes two CPUs built for different worlds. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U is the choice for users who prioritize single-core performance and low power consumption. Its 30.5% lead in R15 single-core and 24.1% lead in R15 multicore show it excels in everyday and moderately threaded workloads. Its mobile socket and 15 W TDP further cement its role in laptops and compact systems.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the choice for server and workstation deployments where multicore throughput is king. Its 31.5% R23 multicore advantage, 40 PCIe lanes, quad-channel memory, and 30 MB L3 cache serve workloads that demand parallel processing and high memory bandwidth. The Xeon also wins R23 single-core by 11.6%, which is a bonus for a server part.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 3154 for the Xeon, 3096 for the Ryzen. The Xeon's 53rd percentile versus the Ryzen's 52nd percentile reflects this parity. Users should choose based on the specific benchmark profile that matches their workloads, not on overall averages. The Ryzen is a modern mobile processor with strong single-thread performance; the Xeon is an older but capable server chip with exceptional multicore scaling in newer tests. The production status tells the same story: the Xeon is end-of-life, the Ryzen is active.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: It depends on the test version. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U leads by 30.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (223 vs 155). The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 leads by 11.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1539 vs 1379).

Q: How do the two compare in multicore workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 24.1% (1447 vs 1098), but the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 31.5% (10904 vs 8290).

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. The Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has integrated graphics, specifically Radeon Vega 7. The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has a 105 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has a 15 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.90 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Broadwell-EP | Barcelo |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 3,400 million | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 180 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2016-03-15 | 2022-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $1166 | None listed |

| Part Number | SR2N3 | 100-000000583 |