AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE vs Intel Xeon Silver 4116 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 averages 3733 points, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE averages 3732 points — a delta of 0%, making them statistically tied overall.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE wins with a score of 13044 versus Intel's 12908, a 1% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE list ECC memory support as true.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 is built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE uses TSMC's 7 nm process.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has integrated graphics — a Radeon Vega 7 — while the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 lists no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The data yields a clean split: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the pack, taking all 6 contests. The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 wins none of the six direct comparisons. However, the margin is consistently narrow — every delta is exactly 1% or 1.1% in favor of AMD.

The AMD chip's wins span both multi-core and single-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1314 against Intel's 1301; in R15 single-core, 185 versus 183. The pattern repeats in R20 (5478 vs 5421 multi-core; 773 vs 765 single-core) and R23 (13044 vs 12908 multi-core; 1841 vs 1822 single-core). So AMD leads in every rendering test, whether the workload uses one thread or all threads.

Where the Intel chip could claim a use-case advantage is in raw thread count for server-style parallelism — 24 threads versus 12 — but the benchmark results do not translate that into a win. The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 also targets the Server/Workstation segment with an 85 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is a Desktop part at 35 W. For workloads that scale with cores, the Intel chip has the theoretical headroom, yet the measured scores show AMD's 6-core Zen 2 design matching or edging it out.

The practical takeaway: if the workload is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is the pick. If the system needs 24 threads for other tasks not covered in these benchmarks, the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 remains relevant — but the data here shows no test where Intel wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 uses the Skylake-SP architecture on a 14 nm process, built by Intel with 8,000 million transistors. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE uses Zen 2 (codename Renoir) on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with 9,800 million transistors and a die size of 156 mm².

Core counts diverge sharply: Intel packs 12 cores and 24 threads, while AMD fits 6 cores and 12 threads. The cache layouts also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core, but Intel has 1 MB of L2 per core versus AMD's 512 KB per core. For L3, Intel offers 16.5 MB shared, while AMD has 8 MB shared — a 16.5 MB versus 8 MB split favoring Intel in total cache.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Intel chip runs at a 2.10 GHz base clock and 3.00 GHz boost. The AMD chip runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost — significantly higher clocks on both ends. Combined with the smaller 7 nm process, AMD achieves that performance at a 35 W TDP versus Intel's 85 W TDP.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, and both support ECC. AMD lists dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel lists no specific memory bus or bandwidth figure in the pack. AMD also specifies PCIe Gen 3, while Intel has no PCIe field listed.

The AMD chip includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics, which the Intel Xeon lacks entirely. Intel's transistor count is lower at 8,000 million versus AMD's 9,800 million, yet Intel's die is built on a larger 14 nm node, and AMD's die is 156 mm² — a compact design relative to its transistor count.

Production status also differs: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is listed as "Active," while the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 has no production status field populated. The Intel chip is from the Xeon Silver (Skylake-SP) generation, released 2017-07-10, while AMD is from the 4000 series, released 2020-07-20.

Specification Differences

The core difference is core count: 12 cores / 24 threads for Intel versus 6 cores / 12 threads for AMD. Clock speeds favor AMD: 3.30 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost versus Intel's 2.10 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. TDP is a major differentiator: 85 W for Intel versus 35 W for AMD.

Process node: Intel uses 14 nm, AMD uses 7 nm. Foundry: Intel fabs its own chip; AMD uses TSMC. Transistors: Intel has 8,000 million, AMD has 9,800 million. Die size: AMD is 156 mm², Intel has no listed die size.

Cache differs per level. L2 is 1 MB per core on Intel versus 512 KB per core on AMD. L3 is 16.5 MB shared on Intel versus 8 MB shared on AMD. L1 is identical at 64 KB per core.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 3647, AMD uses Socket AM4. Memory bus and bandwidth are listed only for AMD (dual-channel, 51.2 GB/s). Integrated graphics: AMD has Radeon Vega 7, Intel has none. PCIe: AMD lists Gen 3, Intel has no PCIe field.

Market segment: Intel is Server/Workstation, AMD is Desktop. Release dates differ by about three years: Intel launched 2017-07-10, AMD launched 2020-07-20. AMD's production status is "Active," Intel's is not listed. Neither chip has a launch MSRP in the pack, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Every head-to-head benchmark in the pack goes to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE. The margins are small but consistent — exactly 1% in five tests and 1.1% in one.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 1314 against Intel's 1301, a 1% lead. Single-core R15 is 185 versus 183, a 1.1% edge for AMD. The R20 suite shows the same pattern: multi-core 5478 versus 5421 (1% AMD), single-core 773 versus 765 (1% AMD). R23 continues it: multi-core 13044 versus 12908 (1% AMD), single-core 1841 versus 1822 (1% AMD).

The most notable result is the multi-core tests, where AMD's 6-core chip beats Intel's 12-core chip. The 24-thread Intel Xeon cannot convert its thread advantage into a win, even in a workload like Cinebench that scales with cores. AMD's higher base and boost clocks (3.30/4.20 GHz versus 2.10/3.00 GHz) plus the 7 nm process appear to compensate for the 6-core deficit.

The single-core margins are equally telling. AMD leads by 1.1% in R15 single-core and 1% in R20 and R23 single-core. These are the smallest deltas in the dataset, but they still favor AMD across the board.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the picture: Intel averages 3733, AMD averages 3732 — a 0% delta. The nearest rivals list places both chips within a tight cluster: Intel Core i5-11600T at 3742 (0.2% above Intel), Intel Core i5-11260H at 3721 (0.3% below), and Intel Xeon E-2434 at 3709 (0.7% below). The two processors in this comparison are effectively tied on average, yet AMD wins every specific test.

Percentile ranking is identical: both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs. That means neither chip is a standout in the broader market, but they perform at the same level overall despite very different designs.

The Verdict

The data tells a straightforward story: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE wins every benchmark recorded here, but by the slimmest of margins. The Intel Xeon Silver 4116 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE are statistical twins in average benchmark score — 3733 versus 3732, a 0% delta — yet AMD takes all six head-to-head tests with 1% to 1.1% leads.

For a desktop user, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is the clear choice. It wins in every Cinebench generation tested, from R15 through R23, in both multi-core and single-core. It does so with half the cores (6 versus 12) and a fraction of the TDP (35 W versus 85 W). It also includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, which the Intel chip lacks entirely. The higher base and boost clocks (3.30/4.20 GHz versus 2.10/3.00 GHz) and the 7 nm TSMC process make the efficiency story compelling.

For a server or workstation buyer, the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 still has a rationale, but not from the benchmark data. It offers 24 threads versus 12, which could matter for workloads not represented in these Cinebench tests. It also uses Socket 3647, a server platform, and carries an 85 W TDP typical of server parts. The larger L3 cache (16.5 MB versus 8 MB) and bigger L2 per core (1 MB versus 512 KB) give it a cache advantage that might help in specific server workloads.

However, the measured results do not support choosing Intel on performance. The 12-core Xeon loses to the 6-core Ryzen in every test, including multi-core rendering where the thread count should theoretically help. The AMD chip's 4.20 GHz boost clock versus Intel's 3.00 GHz boost appears to be the decisive factor.

The verdict: pick the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE for any workload covered by these benchmarks — it wins 6 out of 6 tests and matches the Intel chip's average score. Pick the Intel Xeon Silver 4116 only if the system requires a Socket 3647 server platform, 24 threads for non-rendering workloads, or the larger cache footprint. The data gives no performance reason to prefer Intel in Cinebench scenarios.