AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G vs Intel Xeon E-2278G Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins every single head-to-head test against the Intel Xeon E-2278G, despite having two fewer cores and four fewer threads. Across six Cinebench workloads, the AMD part holds a consistent 2.5–2.6% advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance. This is a rare sweep, and the margin is remarkably uniform, suggesting a fundamental architectural efficiency edge rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Intel Xeon’s higher boost clock and additional cores do not translate into a single benchmark victory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most telling result is the multi-core sweep. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G scores 1397 against the Xeon’s 1360, a 2.6% lead. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD posts 5823 versus Intel’s 5670, again a 2.6% difference. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the pattern holds: 13866 for AMD versus 13502 for Intel, a 2.6% margin. That the AMD chip wins all three multi-core tests while running two fewer cores is the headline finding. The Xeon’s 8 cores and 16 threads are simply not enough to overcome the Ryzen’s per-core throughput advantage.

Single-core results follow the same script, though the margins are slightly smaller. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD wins 197 to 192, a 2.5% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 821 versus 800, a 2.6% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core closes the series at 1957 versus 1906, a 2.6% advantage. These single-core wins are particularly notable because the Xeon E-2278G boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G tops out at 4.20 GHz. Despite the 800 MHz clock deficit, the AMD chip delivers higher single-threaded scores in every generation of Cinebench. The data indicates the Zen 2 architecture extracts more instructions per clock than Intel’s Coffee Lake at comparable frequencies.

The aggregate benchmark scores corroborate the head-to-head results. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has an average benchmark score of 4010, while the Intel Xeon E-2278G averages 4052. The Xeon’s higher average comes from its inclusion of Geekbench results, which the head-to-head table does not cover. In the direct Cinebench comparisons, AMD is ahead in all six tests, with a perfect 6-0 win record. The consistent 2.6% delta across both single-core and multi-core workloads suggests a uniform architectural superiority that is independent of thread count or clock speed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E-2278G is built on the Coffee Lake-S WS architecture, using a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its die size is 180 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G, by contrast, uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, built on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its die size is 156 mm², and it contains 9,800 million transistors.

Cache layouts differ substantially. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: Intel uses 256 KB per core, while AMD uses 512 KB per core. L3 cache is where the gap widens. The Xeon E-2278G has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having half the L3 capacity, the AMD chip still wins all benchmarks, indicating that its larger L2 cache and more efficient memory subsystem compensate for the smaller L3.

Memory bandwidth also favors AMD. The Xeon E-2278G supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G also supports dual-channel DDR4 but delivers 51.2 GB/s, a 20% higher theoretical bandwidth. Both chips support ECC memory, which is notable for the AMD part given its desktop market segment. PCIe connectivity differs as well: Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD provides Gen 3 with 20 lanes from the CPU, giving the Ryzen part more expansion headroom.

The integrated graphics also differ. Intel pairs the Xeon E-2278G with HD Graphics P630, while AMD integrates Radeon Vega 7 into the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G. The market segments reflect their intended uses: Intel positions the E-2278G as a Server/Workstation part, while AMD targets the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G at Desktop. Production status tells a story too: the Xeon is end-of-life, whereas the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is active. The Xeon launched in May 2019, while the Ryzen arrived in November 2022.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, giving it a perfect 6-0 record against the Intel Xeon E-2278G. The Intel chip does not win a single direct comparison.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD chip leads by 2.6% in all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23). Specifically, AMD scores 1397, 5823, and 13866, while Intel scores 1360, 5670, and 13502 respectively.

Q: Does the Intel chip’s higher boost clock help it in single-core tests?

A: No. Despite a 5.00 GHz boost clock versus AMD’s 4.20 GHz, the Xeon E-2278G loses every single-core test. AMD leads by 2.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (197 vs 192) and by 2.6% in both R20 (821 vs 800) and R23 (1957 vs 1906).

Q: How do the core counts compare, and does it matter?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having two fewer cores and four fewer threads, the AMD chip wins all multi-core benchmarks, indicating superior per-core efficiency.

Q: What process nodes are the two chips built on?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G uses Intel’s 14 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G uses TSMC’s 7 nm process. The smaller 7 nm node is a key factor in the AMD chip’s performance efficiency.

Q: Which chip has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, compared to the Intel Xeon E-2278G’s 42.7 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR4 and ECC memory.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2278G | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Renoir |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 156 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P630 | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2019-05-28 | 2022-11-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $494 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SRFB2 | 100-00001155, 100-00001155MPK |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins every measurable benchmark category in this comparison. It takes all six Cinebench tests, spanning both single-core and multi-core workloads across R15, R20, and R23 versions. Its wins are consistent at 2.5–2.6%, making it the clear performance leader in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded applications. The data shows no scenario in the head-to-head list where the Intel Xeon E-2278G comes out ahead.

The Intel Xeon E-2278G does hold advantages in raw specifications that do not translate to benchmark wins. It offers more cores (8 vs 6) and more threads (16 vs 12), which could theoretically benefit workloads beyond the tested Cinebench suite. It also has a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) and double the L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB). Its launch MSRP of $494 indicates a premium positioning, though no comparable pricing data exists for the AMD part. The Xeon’s market segment is Server/Workstation, suggesting it may be targeted at stability-focused environments rather than raw throughput.

The AMD chip wins on efficiency metrics. It has a lower TDP of 65 W versus Intel’s 95 W, meaning it delivers superior performance while drawing less power. Its 7 nm process node and TSMC foundry represent a technological advantage over Intel’s 14 nm node. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G also has higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s), more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16), and double the L2 cache per core (512 KB vs 256 KB). For users who prioritize performance-per-watt and modern manufacturing, the AMD part is the clear choice.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is the superior processor based on all available benchmark data. It wins 100% of the head-to-head comparisons, with a 2.6% lead in multi-core and a 2.5–2.6% lead in single-core across all Cinebench versions. The fact that it achieves this while using 6 cores instead of 8, running at a lower boost clock, and consuming less power (65 W vs 95 W) makes its dominance even more pronounced. The Xeon’s architectural advantages—more cores, more threads, more L3 cache, higher clock speed—are all negated by the Ryzen’s superior per-core IPC and memory subsystem.

Users should pick the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G if they want the best measured performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications, lower power consumption, higher memory bandwidth, and a more modern 7 nm process. The chip is active and available, whereas the Intel Xeon E-2278G is end-of-life. The AMD part also offers more PCIe lanes and double the L2 cache per core, which may benefit specific workloads not covered in the benchmark suite.

Users should consider the Intel Xeon E-2278G only if they specifically need 8 cores and 16 threads for workloads that scale beyond what the benchmark data captures, or if they require the Server/Workstation market segment designation. Its 16 MB of L3 cache and 5.00 GHz boost clock are notable specifications, but they did not produce a single benchmark victory in this comparison. The Xeon’s $494 launch MSRP, higher TDP, and older 14 nm process make it difficult to recommend over the AMD part, which wins every direct test while consuming 30 W less power. The data is conclusive: the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is the better processor.