AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G vs Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G and Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 occupy the same 57th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, yet they achieve that position through fundamentally different designs. The AMD part is a modern 7nm desktop processor with 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon is a 22nm server/workstation chip with 12 cores and 24 threads. The benchmark results show a consistent, if narrow, edge for the Ryzen across every tested workload, with the Xeon's core-count advantage failing to overcome the architectural gap between Zen 2 and Haswell.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, but the margins are consistently tight. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 13,866 against the Xeon's 13,690, a 1.3% advantage. That is a remarkably small gap given that the Xeon has twice as many cores and threads — 12 cores and 24 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads. The single-core R23 result shows a similar pattern: 1,957 for AMD versus 1,932 for Intel, a 1.3% lead.

The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20. Multi-core scores are 5,823 for the Ryzen and 5,749 for the Xeon, a 1.3% delta. Single-core performance lands at 821 versus 811, a 1.2% edge for AMD. In the older Cinebench R15 tests, the Ryzen posts 1,397 multi-core and 197 single-core, while the Xeon manages 1,379 and 194 respectively — deltas of 1.3% and 1.5%.

What these numbers mean in practice is that the Ryzen's per-core efficiency completely neutralizes the Xeon's raw core-count advantage. The Xeon's 24 threads should theoretically dominate in heavily threaded rendering workloads, but the data shows otherwise. The Ryzen's superior single-thread performance — roughly 1.2–1.5% better in every test — scales across all cores well enough to keep the multi-core results essentially tied, with AMD edging ahead each time.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture: the Ryzen averages 4,010 points, while the Xeon averages 3,959 points. When compared to their nearest rivals, the Ryzen sits within 0.7% of the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3, Intel Core i5-12400T, Intel Xeon E-2336, and Intel Xeon D-2733NT. The Xeon's closest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U, Intel Core i7-6900K, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U, and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G — all within 0.5% of its average score.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G uses the Zen 2 architecture on the Renoir codename, built on TSMC's 7nm process node. It packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 uses the Haswell architecture with the Haswell-EP codename, fabricated on Intel's 22nm node with 2,600 million transistors across a 356 mm² die. The transistor density difference is stark: the AMD chip fits nearly four times as many transistors into less than half the die area.

Cache hierarchies also diverge significantly. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the Ryzen offers 512 KB of L2 per core versus the Xeon's 256 KB per core. The L3 cache situation is inverted: the Xeon has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen has just 8 MB shared. The Xeon's larger L3 pool reflects its server heritage and the need to feed 12 cores, while the Ryzen's smaller but faster cache hierarchy benefits from the newer architecture.

The Ryzen integrates a Radeon Vega 7 GPU, making it a complete system-on-chip for desktop use. The Xeon has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. Memory support differs as well: the Ryzen supports DDR4 in dual-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in quad-channel configuration with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, which is notable for a desktop part like the Ryzen.

Other key differences include the process node (7nm versus 22nm), the socket (AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 2011-3), and PCIe lane counts (20 lanes versus 40 lanes, both Gen 3). The Ryzen's TDP is 65W, while the Xeon is rated at 120W. The Ryzen's base clock is 3.70 GHz with a boost of 4.20 GHz; the Xeon runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads, exactly double the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G's 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the AMD chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G includes a Radeon Vega 7 integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate graphics card.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen scores 13,866 versus the Intel Xeon's 13,690, giving AMD a 1.3% lead.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen supports dual-channel DDR4, while the Intel Xeon supports quad-channel DDR3 or DDR4.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen has a 3.70 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost clock. The Intel Xeon has a 2.30 GHz base clock and 3.10 GHz boost clock.

Q: Is one processor still in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is listed as active in production, while the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 is marked end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only where the two processors differ:

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G | Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 120W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Haswell |

| Codename | Renoir | Haswell-EP |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | 2,600 million |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 356 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 20 (Gen 3) | 40 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Part Number | 100-00001155, 100-00001155MPK | SR1XU |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins every benchmark test in this comparison, so its advantages are clear across the board. In single-threaded workloads, the Ryzen's 4.20 GHz boost clock and modern Zen 2 architecture deliver 1.2–1.5% better scores. That advantage carries into multi-threaded workloads, where the Ryzen's efficiency closes the core-count gap and still posts 1.3% higher scores. The Ryzen also wins on platform integration: it includes a Radeon Vega 7 GPU, supports ECC memory, and runs on the widely available AM4 socket with a 65W TDP.

The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has no benchmark wins in this data, but it offers structural advantages that matter for specific use cases. Its 12 cores and 24 threads provide headroom for heavily parallel workloads, even if the benchmark results show the Ryzen keeping pace. The Xeon's quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth exceeds the Ryzen's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s, which could benefit memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications. Its 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes double the Ryzen's 20, making it more suitable for systems with multiple expansion cards or high-bandwidth peripherals. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache also dwarfs the Ryzen's 8 MB, potentially helping with large working sets that fit in cache.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 in every tested workload, despite having half the cores and threads. The Ryzen's 1.3% multi-core lead in Cinebench R23 demonstrates that raw core count is not destiny when architectural efficiency differs this much. For any user choosing between these two today, the Ryzen is the better performing processor across the board.

The Xeon's case rests entirely on platform features rather than benchmark scores. Its quad-channel memory, 40 PCIe lanes, and larger L3 cache make it a more capable foundation for server-style configurations. If a workload is bottlenecked by memory bandwidth or requires many PCIe devices, the Xeon's specifications could prove more useful than its benchmark scores suggest. However, the data shows no scenario where the Xeon wins a computational test.

The practical recommendation is straightforward. The Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is the choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance, lower power consumption at 65W versus 120W, integrated graphics, and an active production status. The Xeon E5-2669 v3 is a legacy server component that is end-of-life; its only sensible application is in existing systems already built around Socket 2011-3, or in niche workstation builds where the quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes are non-negotiable requirements. For new builds, the AMD processor is the clear winner in every benchmark category measured here.