AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G vs Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a remarkably close contest. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are razor-thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 1397 against the Xeon's 1395, a 0.1% lead. The single-core results are equally tight: 197 versus 196, a 0.5% advantage. Across R20 and R23, the AMD leads by 0.1% to 0.2% in both single and multi-threaded tests. The average benchmark scores confirm this near-parity: the AMD sits at 4010, the Xeon at 4004, with a delta of just 0.2%.

Given these numbers, the choice hinges entirely on platform characteristics, not raw performance. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G is the pick for builders targeting a modern, active desktop platform with integrated graphics and a 65W TDP. Its 7nm Zen 2 architecture delivers contemporary efficiency and includes a Radeon Vega 7 iGPU, meaning a discrete graphics card is unnecessary for basic display output. The Xeon E5-2698B v3, however, is an end-of-life server/workstation part. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide massive parallel throughput potential, but its 135W TDP, 22nm Haswell architecture, and lack of integrated graphics make it a niche choice for legacy dual-socket or high-core-count server builds where the AMD's desktop-oriented feature set is irrelevant. For almost any new system, the AMD is the sensible choice. For a specific, high-core-count server workload on an existing Socket 2011-3 platform, the Xeon retains relevance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is generational. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7nm TSMC process, while the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 is built on the older 22nm Haswell-EP process from Intel. This directly explains the power and efficiency gap. The AMD's transistor count is 9,800 million on a 156 mm² die; the Intel packs 2,600 million transistors on a much larger 356 mm² die. The process advantage allows the AMD to deliver competitive performance at a 65W TDP versus the Xeon's 135W.

Core and cache configurations diverge significantly. The AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost of 4.20 GHz. Its cache is organized as 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel Xeon counters with 16 cores and 32 threads, but operates at a lower 2.00 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost clock. Its cache hierarchy is different: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but a much larger 40 MB shared L3 cache. This larger cache is a server-oriented design, but the lower clock speeds and older architecture negate its advantage in these benchmarks.

Memory and I/O also differ. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory. However, the AMD uses a dual-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel uses a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s. The AMD provides PCIe Gen 3 with 20 lanes from the CPU; the Intel provides 40 lanes. Critically, the AMD includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none. The AMD is on Socket AM4 and is actively produced; the Xeon is on Socket 2011-3 and is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does either CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G and the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G includes integrated graphics, specifically the Radeon Vega 7. The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 does not have any integrated graphics.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has a TDP of 65W, whereas the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 has a TDP of 135W.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3's boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: Are these CPUs on the same socket?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads; the Intel has 16 cores and 32 threads. Clock speeds favor the AMD: 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost versus the Intel's 2.00 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. TDP is a major difference: 65W for AMD versus 135W for Intel. The AMD is built on a 7nm process by TSMC, while the Intel uses a 22nm process from Intel. Cache sizes differ: the AMD has 512 KB L2 per core and 8 MB shared L3, whereas the Intel has 256 KB L2 per core and 40 MB shared L3. Memory channels and bandwidth differ: the AMD is dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s, the Intel is quad-channel with 68.3 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ: 20 for AMD versus 40 for Intel. The AMD has integrated graphics; the Intel does not. The AMD is on Socket AM4, the Intel on Socket 2011-3. The AMD is active in production; the Intel is end-of-life. Finally, the AMD's die size is 156 mm² with 9,800 million transistors, while the Intel's is 356 mm² with 2,600 million.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unusually consistent. In every single test, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G comes out ahead, but by a negligible margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 1397 against the Intel's 1395, a 0.1% win. The R15 single-core test shows a 0.5% lead for AMD (197 vs 196). Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD wins multi-core with 5823 over 5814 (0.2%) and single-core with 821 over 820 (0.1%). The R23 results mirror this: multi-core 13866 vs 13843 (0.2%) and single-core 1957 vs 1954 (0.2%). The AMD wins all six tests, but the largest margin is just 0.5%.

These numbers tell a clear story: the architectural and core-count differences completely cancel out in these workloads. The AMD's higher clock speeds and newer process offset the Intel's core and thread advantage. The Intel's larger L3 cache and quad-channel memory do not translate into a Cinebench win. The average benchmark scores (4010 for AMD, 4004 for Intel) and the percentile ranking (57th for both) confirm that these are effectively performance equals in this benchmark suite.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G wins on every benchmark metric recorded, though the margins are sub-1%. In practical terms, it wins where modern platform features matter. It offers integrated graphics, which is a clear win for a compact or office build where a discrete GPU is not needed. Its 65W TDP is a decisive advantage for thermal management and power efficiency, especially in smaller form factors. Its active production status and AM4 socket mean it is a current, supportable platform. The data shows it edges out the Xeon in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, so it is the better choice for any workload represented by these benchmarks, regardless of thread count.

The Intel Xeon E5-2698B v3 wins on raw core-count and platform I/O specifications. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, which is over double the AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads. Its 40 MB of L3 cache is five times larger. Its quad-channel memory bus offers 68.3 GB/s bandwidth versus the AMD's 51.2 GB/s. Its 40 PCIe lanes double the AMD's 20. These are server-oriented strengths, but the benchmark data shows they do not yield a performance victory in Cinebench. Where it could win is in a specific server workload that leverages its massive core count, large cache, and high memory bandwidth—a workload not represented by these specific tests. For a legacy Socket 2011-3 server platform that already exists, it is the only choice of the two. For a new build, the AMD's benchmark wins and modern feature set make it the practical recommendation.