AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE vs Intel Xeon E-2378 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE and the Intel Xeon E-2378 represent two distinct approaches to professional computing: one is a low-power desktop APU, the other a server-focused processor. Benchmark data shows a consistent pattern of results, with the AMD part taking a clean sweep in all six recorded head-to-head tests. The margins are remarkably uniform, hovering around a 5.7% advantage for the Ryzen chip in most Cinebench runs, which points to a fundamental architectural efficiency rather than a test-specific quirk.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides the only direct comparison data between these two CPUs, and the results are consistent across every iteration. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE scores 1559 against the Xeon E-2378’s 1474, a 5.8% lead. The single-core test follows the same pattern: 219 versus 208, a 5.3% advantage for the AMD processor. These are modest but decisive margins.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the gap holds steady. The Ryzen part records 6496 in multicore while the Xeon manages 6145, a 5.7% difference. In single-core, the scores are 916 and 867, again a 5.7% delta. The story repeats in Cinebench R23: 15468 versus 14633 in multicore, and 2183 versus 2065 in single-core, both showing the same 5.7% edge for AMD.

The fact that all three generations of Cinebench tests produce nearly identical percentage gaps is telling. It suggests that the performance difference is not workload-specific but rather a general property of the two architectures. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE wins all six recorded comparisons, but the margins are not overwhelming. A 5.7% lead in a rendering workload is meaningful, but it does not represent a generational leap.

In the broader database context, the AMD chip holds a 58th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Xeon sits at 57th. Their average benchmark scores are 4470 and 4232, respectively. The Ryzen part’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-9800X with a delta of 0.3%, meaning the two are nearly identical in aggregate performance. The Xeon’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-12500T at a 0.4% delta. This places both processors in a densely packed performance tier where small differences can shift rankings.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs could hardly be more different. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It houses 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The thermal design power is just 35 watts, which is exceptionally low for a desktop part. The die size is 180 mm² and contains 10,700 million transistors.

The Intel Xeon E-2378 uses the Rocket Lake architecture with the Rocket Lake-E codename, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads, giving it a raw core count advantage over the AMD part. Its base clock is 2.60 GHz, but the boost reaches 4.80 GHz, which is higher than the Ryzen’s maximum. The TDP is 65 watts, nearly double the AMD chip’s power envelope. The die is larger at 276 mm², but Intel does not list a transistor count for this part.

Cache hierarchies show both similarities and divergences. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 16 MB L3 cache. The Xeon E-2378 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 16 MB shared L3 cache. The total L3 capacity is identical, but the per-core L1 allocation favors Intel, which may help with certain latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is equivalent on paper: both use DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory, which is a critical feature for professional and server environments. The PCIe situation differs significantly. The AMD part supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Xeon provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. This gives the Xeon both a newer standard and more lanes for expansion.

A major differentiator is integrated graphics. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE includes a Radeon Vega 7 GPU, making it a complete APU solution. The Xeon E-2378 has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. This is a decisive factor for systems that need a minimal footprint or do not require a dedicated graphics card.

The production status for both is listed as active. The AMD part was released on May 31, 2021, while the Intel part followed on September 7, 2021. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either platform. The AMD chip targets the desktop market segment, while the Xeon is classified as server/workstation.

The Verdict

The benchmark data favors the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE in every measured test. It leads by roughly 5.7% in multicore and single-core workloads across all Cinebench versions. This is a consistent, repeatable advantage that suggests the Zen 3 architecture is more efficient per clock and per core than Rocket Lake in these rendering tasks.

The core count discrepancy is notable. The Xeon E-2378 has 8 cores and 16 threads against the Ryzen’s 6 cores and 12 threads, yet the AMD part still wins. This indicates that the Ryzen’s core efficiency more than compensates for the two-core deficit. The 35-watt TDP of the AMD chip versus the 65-watt TDP of the Xeon makes this even more striking: the AMD processor achieves higher scores while consuming far less power budget.

For buyers prioritizing integrated graphics, the choice is clear. The Radeon Vega 7 in the Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic configurations. The Xeon E-2378 has no such capability, which adds cost and complexity to any system that needs display output.

The Xeon does retain advantages in specific areas. Its PCIe Gen 4 support with 20 lanes is superior to the Ryzen’s PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This matters for systems with multiple high-bandwidth expansion cards, such as NVMe storage arrays or specialized accelerators. The Xeon also has a higher boost clock at 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz, though this does not translate into a benchmark win in the recorded data.

For general professional workloads, rendering, and single-threaded tasks, the data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE as the stronger performer. For server environments where PCIe bandwidth and lane count are critical, the Intel Xeon E-2378 offers infrastructure advantages that the benchmarks do not capture.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2378 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for AMD and 2.60 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz for AMD and 4.80 GHz for Intel. The TDP is 35 watts for AMD and 65 watts for Intel.

The process nodes are distinct: 7 nm for AMD, 14 nm for Intel. The die sizes are 180 mm² for AMD and 276 mm² for Intel. The AMD part lists 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel part does not provide this figure. L1 cache is 64 KB per core for AMD and 80 KB per core for Intel. L2 cache is 512 KB per core for both. L3 cache is 16 MB for AMD and 16 MB shared for Intel.

PCIe support differs: AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on the AMD chip (Radeon Vega 7) and absent on the Intel chip. The sockets are AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen and Intel Socket 1200 for the Xeon. The market segments are desktop for AMD and server/workstation for Intel. Release dates are May 31, 2021 for AMD and September 7, 2021 for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2378 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE and the Intel Xeon E-2378 support ECC memory, along with dual-channel DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE includes a Radeon Vega 7 integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon E-2378 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE scores 15468 versus the Intel Xeon E-2378’s 14633, a 5.7% advantage for AMD.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE has a 35-watt TDP, while the Intel Xeon E-2378 has a 65-watt TDP.

Q: Which processor has faster PCIe support?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2378 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.