AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE vs Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE and the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 are two very different processors that end up in a statistical dead heat. The AMD part is a 35W desktop APU built on a 14nm Zen core, while the Intel is an 85W server/workstation chip from the 22nm Haswell generation. Despite a four-year gap in release dates and opposing design philosophies, their benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD chip winning every head-to-head test by a margin of 0.2% or less. The data shows that the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE edges out the Xeon in all six Cinebench comparisons, yet the average benchmark scores place them within 0.1% of each other, making this a matchup defined by extreme parity rather than a clear victor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has six cores and twelve threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has four cores and eight threads. The Xeon holds a 50% advantage in core count.

Q: How do their multi-core benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE wins all three multi-core tests, but by razor-thin margins. It scores 665 vs 664 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 2774 vs 2769 in R20 multi-core, and 6606 vs 6595 in R23 multi-core, with delta percentages of 0.2% in each case.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has no integrated graphics, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE includes Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics. This is a fundamental difference in their designs.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3's boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz vs 2.40 GHz.

Q: What is the market positioning of each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE is a desktop processor and is still in active production, while the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 is a server/workstation processor that is end-of-life.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: They are effectively tied in single-core tests. The AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 93 points, matching the Intel's score of 93 (0% delta). In R20 single-core, both score 391, and in R23 single-core, the AMD wins 932 to 931, a 0.1% difference.

Where Each One Wins

An analysis of the benchmark data reveals a near-total deadlock, but a few distinct use-case advantages emerge from the specifications. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE wins on every single benchmark test in the head-to-head comparison, yet the margins are so small that they are practically negligible for real-world workloads. The AMD chip's victories in multi-core tests are consistent but amount to only a 0.2% delta, meaning the Xeon's additional cores do not translate into a meaningful performance advantage in these Cinebench workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE is the clear winner for systems where integrated graphics are a requirement. Its Radeon RX Vega 11 GPU means that a discrete graphics card is unnecessary for basic display output, which is a capability the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 completely lacks. For a compact desktop or a low-power workstation, the AMD part offers a complete package in a single chip.

The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 wins on raw platform capability. It supports quad-channel memory, delivering a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s compared to the AMD's dual-channel 46.9 GB/s. It also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, versus the AMD's 8 lanes. For workloads that demand high memory throughput or many expansion cards, the Intel platform has a clear structural advantage, even if its core performance is matched by the AMD part.

The AMD chip also wins on power efficiency. Its 35W TDP is less than half of the Intel Xeon's 85W TDP. This makes the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE a better fit for systems where heat dissipation and power draw are primary concerns, allowing for quieter cooling solutions and lower operating costs.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors is significant. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE is built on the Zen architecture with the codename Raven Ridge, manufactured on a 14nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses the older Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-EP, on a 22nm process at Intel. This process node difference is a major factor in their power consumption, with the AMD part using a 35W TDP versus the Intel's 85W.

The transistor counts and die sizes tell a story of different design priorities. The AMD chip packs 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die, while the Intel Xeon crams 2,600 million transistors into a much larger 356 mm² die. The AMD's higher transistor density on a smaller, newer process node helps explain how it achieves competitive performance with fewer cores and a much lower power envelope.

Cache hierarchies also differ notably. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE features 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a total of 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has smaller L1 and L2 caches at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively, but compensates with a much larger 15 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 pool on the Intel chip is typical of server processors designed to handle datasets that exceed the capacity of smaller caches.

The foundry and manufacturing details further separate them. The AMD part is produced by GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Xeon is made by Intel. The AMD chip has a production status of "Active," whereas the Intel Xeon is officially "End-of-life." The AMD part belongs to the 2000 series family, while the Intel Xeon is from the E5 family, representing a generational gap of several years.

Specification Differences

The specifications reveal two processors with entirely different physical and platform requirements. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses the Intel Socket 2011-3. These sockets are not interchangeable, meaning motherboard choice is dictated by the processor.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD offers 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the Intel provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Clock speeds also favor the AMD chip, which has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to the Intel's 2.40 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost.

The power envelope is a major differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has a TDP of just 35W, while the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has an 85W TDP. The AMD chip also includes integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, while the Intel Xeon has none.

Memory support differs in channel configuration. The AMD chip supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The Intel Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, offering a higher bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts are heavily skewed toward the Intel platform. The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE provides only 8. The Intel chip also has a larger L3 cache of 15 MB, versus the AMD's 4 MB. The Intel Xeon has a launch MSRP of $417, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably close across the board, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE taking all six head-to-head victories by the slimmest of margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 665 points against the Intel's 664, a 0.2% delta. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD scores 2774 versus 2769, again a 0.2% delta. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the AMD at 6606 and the Intel at 6595, maintaining the same 0.2% lead.

Single-core performance is virtually identical. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows both processors scoring exactly 93 points, resulting in a 0% delta. The Cinebench R20 single-core test also ends in a tie with both at 391 points. The Cinebench R23 single-core test is the only one with a non-zero delta, with the AMD winning 932 to 931, a 0.1% difference.

The average benchmark scores reflect this parity. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE has an average benchmark score of 1910, while the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has an average of 1907. This places the AMD chip just 0.1% ahead of the Intel in their shared nearestRivals data. Both processors sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs.

The data shows that the Intel Xeon's additional two cores and four threads do not yield a performance advantage in these tests. Despite having 50% more cores, the older Haswell architecture and lower clock speeds prevent it from outpacing the newer, higher-clocked Zen design. The AMD chip's wins in multi-core tests are likely driven by its superior clock speeds and newer process node, which allow it to compensate for its core deficit. The result is a benchmark stalemate where every meaningful performance metric lands within a fraction of a percent.