AMD Ryzen 5 5625U vs Intel Xeon W-2133 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U and Intel Xeon W-2133 are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, yet they occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The Ryzen 5 is a 15-watt mobile part built for efficiency, while the Xeon W is a 140-watt workstation behemoth. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—3096 for the AMD and 3087 for the Intel, a 0.3% difference—but the way they achieve those scores could not be more different. This analysis breaks down their architectural divergences, benchmark performance, and ideal use cases.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 3096, compared to the Intel Xeon W-2133's 3087. This puts the AMD part 0.3% ahead in the aggregate data.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2133 wins this test decisively, scoring 10676 compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U's 8290. This represents a 22.3% advantage for the Intel processor in this specific multi-threaded workload.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R15 single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U is the clear winner, scoring 223 versus the Intel Xeon W-2133's 151. The AMD chip outperforms the Intel by 47.7% in this legacy single-threaded benchmark.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U is listed as "Active" in production status, while the Intel Xeon W-2133 is marked as "End-of-life."

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Xeon W-2133 has a TDP of 140 watts. This makes the AMD chip dramatically more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U and the Intel Xeon W-2133 support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental design philosophies behind these two chips are evident in their architectures. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U is built on the Zen 3 architecture using TSMC's 7 nm process node, with the codename "Barcelo." This is a modern, power-efficient design that packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Xeon W-2133 uses the older Skylake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, with the codename "Skylake-W." Its die size is significantly larger at 484 mm².

The cache hierarchies also differ substantially. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD part has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel part has a larger 1 MB per core. For L3 cache, the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U offers a shared 16 MB, whereas the Intel Xeon W-2133 features only 8.25 MB shared. This difference in cache capacity can impact performance in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support is another major divergence. Both support DDR4, but the AMD chip uses a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon uses a quad-channel bus delivering 85.3 GB/s. The Intel part also provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, compared to just 16 lanes on the AMD chip. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the Intel Xeon W-2133 has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear split in strengths. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U dominates in Cinebench R15, winning both multi-core and single-core tests with substantial margins. In multi-core, it scores 1447 versus 1075, a 34.6% advantage. In single-core, it scores 223 versus 151, a 47.7% lead. This suggests the AMD chip excels in legacy workloads and scenarios that favor high clock speeds and efficient instruction execution.

The Intel Xeon W-2133, however, takes the lead in the more modern Cinebench R23 tests. It wins multi-core with a score of 10676 against 8290, a 22.3% margin. It also wins single-core with 1507 versus 1379, an 8.5% advantage. This indicates that the Xeon's architecture, despite being older, scales better in newer, more demanding rendering workloads.

For use cases, the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U is suited for mobile computing where its 15-watt TDP and integrated graphics are critical. Its high single-core R15 score suggests responsiveness in everyday tasks. The Intel Xeon W-2133, with its quad-channel memory, 48 PCIe lanes, and workstation-class design, is geared toward server or workstation environments where memory bandwidth and expansion capability are paramount. Its R23 wins show it handles modern rendering tasks effectively.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification beyond their shared core and thread count. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Intel Xeon W-2133 runs at a higher 3.60 GHz base but a lower 3.90 GHz boost. The TDP difference is stark: 15 watts for the AMD versus 140 watts for the Intel.

The platforms are entirely different. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 2066. Process nodes differ at 7 nm for AMD and 14 nm for Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U has a smaller die at 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel die is 484 mm² with no transistor count listed.

Memory bandwidth and PCIe lanes favor the Intel part significantly: 85.3 GB/s and 48 lanes versus 51.2 GB/s and 16 lanes. The AMD chip has integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics; the Intel has none. The release dates are far apart, with the Intel launching on 2017-08-28 and the AMD on 2022-01-05. The Intel Xeon W-2133 has a launch MSRP of $617, while the AMD part has no listed MSRP. The AMD is marked as "Active" production, and the Intel is "End-of-life."

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are split evenly at two wins each, but the margins tell different stories. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U's biggest victory comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 223 against the Intel's 151. This 47.7% delta is the largest of any comparison in this matchup. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 1447 versus 1075, a 34.6% advantage.

The Intel Xeon W-2133 counters in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. Its multi-core score of 10676 beats the AMD's 8290 by 22.3%. The single-core R23 test is closer, with Intel winning 1507 to 1379, an 8.5% margin.

These results show a generational split in benchmark behavior. The AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, despite being a low-power mobile chip, crushes the older Xeon in the R15 tests, likely due to its much higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. However, the Xeon W-2133's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and its workstation-class memory subsystem may help it in the more demanding R23 workloads. The data suggests that while the AMD chip is more efficient and faster in legacy tests, the Intel part holds its own in modern rendering scenarios, making the choice between them dependent on the specific application and platform requirements.