AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G represent two very different approaches to desktop processing, separated by five years of architectural evolution. The data shows a consistent, albeit narrow, victory for the older 8-core Threadripper across every single benchmark in the comparison. While the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is a more modern design, the raw performance metrics indicate that the high-end platform from 2017 retains a measurable edge in the tested workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkable for their uniformity. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X wins all six comparative benchmarks, but the margins are surprisingly tight. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Threadripper scores 1440 against the 4655G's 1397, a 3.1% lead. This pattern repeats almost identically across every other test, with the delta hovering at exactly 3% for single-core and multicore runs in Cinebench R20 and R23.

The most significant absolute gap appears in the Cinebench R23 multicore test, where the Threadripper 1900X scores 14286 versus 13866 for the 4655G. While the 420-point difference is the largest raw margin in the dataset, it still translates to the same 3% relative advantage. The single-core results tell a similar story: the Threadripper leads 2016 to 1957 in R23 single-core, and 846 to 821 in R20 single-core. Even the older Cinebench R15 tests show the Threadripper ahead by 3% in single-core (203 vs 197) and 3.1% in multicore (1440 vs 1397).

What makes this interesting is that the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has two fewer cores (6 vs 8) but a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 4.00 GHz). The Threadripper's two additional cores provide just enough multicore advantage to overcome the 4655G's superior clock speed. The data suggests that the Zen architecture's extra cores deliver a steady, if modest, performance buffer. The 4655G's newer Zen 2 architecture and 7 nm process node do not translate into a performance win in these benchmarks, underscoring how core count can trump architectural efficiency in heavily threaded tests.

The Geekbench results are only available for the Threadripper 1900X, which scores 6588 multicore and 1205 single-core. Without a direct comparison point for the 4655G, the data cannot confirm whether the same 3% pattern would hold in this test, but the consistency across the Cinebench suite suggests it would be close.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X is the faster processor in every measured workload, but its advantage is narrow. The Threadripper wins all six head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 3% to 3.1%. This consistent margin suggests that the 8-core, 16-thread configuration provides a tangible benefit over the 6-core, 12-thread Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G, even though the latter has a newer architecture and higher boost clock.

For users prioritizing raw CPU performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the Threadripper 1900X is the data-backed choice. Its 1440 R15 multicore score and 14286 R23 multicore score demonstrate that the older platform still competes effectively. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G, while trailing in every test, is not far behind—the 3% gap means the difference is often just a few hundred points. The 4655G's 1397 R15 score and 13866 R23 score are respectable, placing it in the same performance tier.

The percentile data shows both processors sit at the 57th percentile of all CPUs, with the Threadripper's average benchmark score of 4073 closely matching the 4655G's 4010. The nearest rivals for the Threadripper include the Intel Core i5-12500TE (delta -0.3%), the Intel Xeon E-2278G (delta 0.5%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X (delta -1%), and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS (delta -1.2%). The 4655G's rivals are similarly close, including the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 (delta 0.2%), Intel Core i5-12400T (delta -0.2%), Intel Xeon E-2336 (delta 0.6%), and Intel Xeon D-2733NT (delta 0.7%). This positioning indicates both chips are competitive with mid-range desktop and workstation parts, but neither breaks into a higher performance echelon.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Threadripper 1900X uses the original Zen architecture, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the 4655G uses the much newer Zen 2 architecture, fabricated on a 7 nm node at TSMC. The transistor counts are nearly identical—9,600 million for the Threadripper versus 9,800 million for the 4655G—but the die size tells a different story: the Threadripper uses a dual-die design with 2x 213 mm², while the 4655G uses a single 156 mm² die.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Threadripper 1900X has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a large 32 MB L3 cache. The 4655G has 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but its L3 is only 8 MB, shared across all cores. This fourfold difference in L3 cache could impact workloads with large working sets, though the benchmark data does not isolate this variable.

Memory support is another key divergence. The Threadripper 1900X features quad-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the 4655G uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. The Threadripper also offers 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, compared to 20 lanes for the 4655G. Notably, the 4655G includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics and supports ECC memory, while the Threadripper has no integrated graphics and does not support ECC.

The Threadripper 1900X is unlocked for overclocking and uses the AMD Socket SP3r2 platform, whereas the 4655G is locked and uses the mainstream AMD Socket AM4. The Threadripper launched on 2017-08-30 with a launch MSRP of $549, while the 4655G launched later on 2022-11-10 with no launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in multicore tests?

A: The Threadripper 1900X leads by 3.1% in Cinebench R15 multicore (1440 vs 1397) and by 3% in both Cinebench R20 (6000 vs 5823) and Cinebench R23 (14286 vs 13866) multicore tests.

Q: Does the newer Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G have a higher clock speed?

A: Yes, the 4655G has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz compared to the Threadripper's 4.00 GHz, and a base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Threadripper 1900X has 32 MB of L3 cache and 96 KB of L1 per core, while the 4655G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache and 64 KB of L1 per core. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G supports ECC memory, while the Threadripper 1900X does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Threadripper 1900X has a TDP of 180 watts, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has a TDP of 65 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X wins in all six measured benchmarks, making it the definitive choice for users who prioritize maximum CPU throughput. The data shows a 3% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore tests. This consistency indicates that the Threadripper's 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with its 32 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s), provide a solid foundation for heavily threaded rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing tasks.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G, despite losing every benchmark, has clear advantages that are not captured in the performance scores. Its 65 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Threadripper's 180 W, making it far more efficient for compact or thermally constrained systems. The integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic desktop use. The 4655G also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Threadripper, which is crucial for data integrity in professional or server-like environments. Its dual-channel memory bus (51.2 GB/s) is half the bandwidth of the Threadripper, but the modern 7 nm process and single-die design (156 mm²) suggest better power efficiency.

In terms of platform flexibility, the Threadripper's 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and quad-channel memory make it suited for high-end workstations with multiple GPUs or NVMe drives. The 4655G's 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and AM4 socket cater to mainstream desktops where expansion is more limited. The Threadripper's unlocked multiplier offers overclocking headroom, while the 4655G is locked.

Specification Differences

The core specifications where these two processors differ are substantial. The Threadripper 1900X has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the 4655G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz for the Threadripper and 3.70 GHz for the 4655G, but the boost clocks reverse this: the 4655G reaches 4.20 GHz while the Threadripper tops out at 4.00 GHz.

The TDP is a major difference—180 W for the Threadripper versus just 65 W for the 4655G. The sockets are incompatible: the Threadripper uses AMD Socket SP3r2, while the 4655G uses AMD Socket AM4. The architecture generations are distinct, with Zen (codename Zen, generation Ryzen Threadripper (Zen (Whitehaven))) for the Threadripper and Zen 2 (codename Renoir, generation Ryzen 5 (Zen 2 (Renoir))) for the 4655G.

Process technology differs as well: the Threadripper is built on a 14 nm node at GlobalFoundries, while the 4655G uses a 7 nm node at TSMC. The die size is 2x 213 mm² for the Threadripper versus a single 156 mm² for the 4655G, despite similar transistor counts (9,600 million vs 9,800 million).

Cache layouts differ, with the Threadripper offering 96 KB of L1 per core and 32 MB of L3, while the 4655G has 64 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support is quad-channel for the Threadripper with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth and dual-channel for the 4655G with 51.2 GB/s. The Threadripper has 60 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, the 4655G has 20. The 4655G includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, which the Threadripper lacks. ECC memory support is exclusive to the 4655G, and the Threadripper's multiplier is unlocked while the 4655G's is locked. The release dates are 2017-08-30 for the Threadripper and 2022-11-10 for the 4655G, and the Threadripper carries a launch MSRP of $549.