AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE vs Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE across every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. In all six Cinebench tests, the AMD processor finishes ahead, with win margins that cluster tightly between 3.1% and 3.4%. This uniformity is notable: regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or fully multi-threaded, the relative gap between the two chips remains almost constant.

Starting with single-core performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE scores 185 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 179 for the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3, a delta of 3.4%. That is the largest single-core advantage in the dataset. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 single-core, where AMD posts 773 against Intel's 749, a 3.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip records 1841, while the Intel Xeon trails at 1785, again a 3.1% gap. These results indicate that the AMD part enjoys a modest but repeatable edge in lightly threaded tasks, likely stemming from its higher clock speeds.

The multi-core results tell a similar story, though the margins are slightly tighter. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE scores 1314 versus 1274 for the Intel Xeon, a 3.1% lead. The same delta of 3.1% appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with AMD at 5478 and Intel at 5311. The longest test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, shows AMD scoring 13044 against Intel's 12647, again a 3.1% difference. Notably, the Intel Xeon has double the cores (12 versus 6) and double the threads (24 versus 12), yet it cannot convert that raw core count into a winning multi-core score. This is a striking outcome: the AMD chip's higher clock speeds and newer architecture compensate fully for its core deficit, at least within these Cinebench workloads.

To contextualize these scores, the database places both processors at the 56th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are close: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE averages 3732, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 averages 3658. This places them within 2% of each other overall, which aligns with the narrow head-to-head deltas. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 (average score 3733, essentially tied at 0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-11600T (average 3742, 0.3% ahead of AMD). The Intel Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10885H (3651, 0.2% behind) and the AMD EPYC 7251 (3671, 0.4% ahead of the Xeon). These surrounding data points show both processors are firmly in the same performance tier, despite their architectural differences.

It is importantly all six head-to-head wins go to the AMD processor. There is no benchmark in the dataset where the Intel Xeon takes the lead, even by a fraction. This is a clean sweep, but the small margins (all under 3.5%) suggest the two are far from being in different performance classes. The AMD chip wins, but it wins narrowly across the board.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE scores 1841 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 scores 1785. The AMD chip leads by 3.1%.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 win any multi-core benchmark despite having more cores?

A: No. The Intel Xeon has 12 cores and 24 threads, but it loses every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12647 against the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE's 13044, a 3.1% deficit.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE leads by 3.4% (185 versus 179). All other deltas are 3.1% or 3.2%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has an average benchmark score of 3732, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 averages 3658. Both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has a TDP of 35 watts, which is significantly lower than the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3's 105 watts. This is a major difference in power requirements.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE also supports ECC memory, so this feature is shared by both.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. This includes both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23 versions. For single-threaded workloads, the AMD chip's advantage comes from its higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz compared to the Intel Xeon's 2.90 GHz. The data shows a consistent 3.1% to 3.4% lead in these tasks, making the AMD part the clear choice for applications that rely heavily on per-core speed, such as lightly threaded legacy software or tasks with strict single-thread latency requirements.

For multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE also wins, but the margin is slightly smaller at 3.1% across all three Cinebench multi-core tests. This is where the Intel Xeon's core advantage (12 cores versus 6) should theoretically shine, yet it does not. The AMD chip's higher clock speeds and more efficient architecture apparently compensate for the core-count difference. In productivity scenarios that are heavily multi-threaded but still burst-oriented, the AMD part holds the edge.

The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 does not win any benchmark in the dataset. However, its strengths lie elsewhere in the specification sheet. With a quad-channel memory bus delivering 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, versus the AMD chip's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s, the Intel part is better suited for memory-bandwidth-sensitive server tasks. Additionally, the Intel Xeon supports 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes on the CPU, whereas the AMD processor's PCIe configuration is not specified beyond Gen 3. For large-scale virtualization or database workloads that require extensive I/O and memory throughput, the Intel Xeon's platform-level features may be more relevant, even if its raw compute scores are slightly lower.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially in core configuration. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Clock speeds also diverge: the AMD chip runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, whereas the Intel Xeon runs at 2.20 GHz base and 2.90 GHz boost. The AMD part has a much higher boost clock, which explains its single-core advantage.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 has a TDP of 105 watts. This threefold difference in power draw has implications for cooling requirements and operating costs, though the database does not record actual power consumption figures.

Memory support differs in channel count and bandwidth. The AMD processor uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. The memory bus width gives the Intel part a theoretical bandwidth advantage, but this does not translate into a benchmark win in the recorded tests.

The sockets are incompatible: the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3. This means they cannot be swapped on the same motherboard. The AMD part is marked as a Desktop segment product and is currently Active in production, while the Intel Xeon is marked as Server/Workstation and is End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is built on the Zen 2 architecture, with the codename Renoir. It uses a 7 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The chip contains 9,800 million transistors on a die size of 156 mm². The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 is based on the Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-EP. It uses a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The chip contains 2,600 million transistors on a die size of 356 mm². This is significantly larger and less dense than the AMD part. The cache arrangement includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

The process node difference is stark: 7 nm versus 22 nm. This explains the AMD chip's lower TDP (35 watts versus 105 watts) and its higher clock speeds despite the smaller transistor count relative to die size. The Intel Xeon compensates with a larger L3 cache (30 MB versus 8 MB), which can help in workloads that repeatedly access a large working set.

The AMD processor includes integrated graphics in the form of Radeon Vega 7, while the Intel Xeon has no integrated graphics. This makes the AMD chip a self-contained desktop solution, whereas the Intel Xeon requires a discrete GPU for display output. The AMD part is also newer, with a release date of July 2020, while the Intel Xeon's release date is not recorded in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if narrow, winner for most users: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, including every single-core and multi-core Cinebench test. Its performance advantage ranges from 3.1% to 3.4%, which is modest but consistent. Additionally, it consumes far less power (35 watts TDP versus 105 watts), runs on a modern 7 nm process, and includes integrated graphics. For a desktop system where compute performance per watt and integrated graphics matter, the AMD part is the data-backed choice.

The Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 is the better fit only if platform features are prioritized over raw benchmark scores. It offers quad-channel memory with higher bandwidth (68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s), a larger 30 MB L3 cache, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. These specifications are aimed at server and workstation environments where memory throughput and I/O expansion are critical. However, the recorded benchmarks show it trailing the AMD chip in every test, and its end-of-life production status makes it a less future-proof option.

For buyers optimizing purely for Cinebench-style compute performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is the superior pick, with a 100% win rate in the head-to-head data. For those building a server or workstation that needs extensive memory channels, a large L3 cache, and high PCIe lane counts, the Intel Xeon offers those capabilities, but it does so while being slower in all recorded CPU benchmarks. The choice hinges on whether the workload is compute-bound or platform-bound: the AMD chip wins the former, while the Intel Xeon's specifications serve the latter, even though its benchmark scores do not reflect an advantage.