AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE vs Intel Xeon W-2145 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W-2145 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE represent two very different philosophies in processor design, separated by nearly four years of silicon evolution. The data reveals a fascinating split: the AMD chip wins seven out of eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the Intel part claims a single, massive victory in Geekbench multicore testing. This isn't a simple case of one being universally faster; it’s a story about workload-specific strengths, architectural trade-offs, and the dramatic efficiency gains of newer manufacturing processes.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of distinct use-case advantages. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE dominates every single Cinebench test, from the older R15 to the more demanding R23, in both single-core and multi-core scenarios. This consistency across rendering workloads suggests it is the stronger choice for content creation, 3D modeling, and any task that relies heavily on CPU rendering performance. Its wins in single-core tests also indicate superior responsiveness in everyday applications and lightly-threaded software.

The Intel Xeon W-2145’s sole victory comes in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 8,712 against the AMD’s 6,994. This is a substantial 24.6% advantage and points to a specific strength in workloads that Geekbench’s multicore portion emphasizes. This could include certain types of scientific computing, database operations, or heavily parallelized professional applications that are optimized for the Xeon’s particular architecture and memory subsystem. However, it is crucial to note that this advantage does not carry over to Cinebench’s rendering tests, where the AMD chip consistently outperforms it.

The AMD processor also wins the efficiency battle by default. With a 35W TDP compared to the Intel’s 140W, the Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE achieves higher Cinebench scores while consuming a fraction of the power. This makes it the obvious choice for compact desktops, all-in-one systems, or any environment where heat output and energy consumption are primary concerns.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Xeon W-2145 uses the Skylake-W architecture on a 14nm process, a design that dates back to 2017 and was manufactured by Intel itself. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE employs the Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Cezanne) on TSMC’s 7nm node, representing a much newer and denser manufacturing technology. This difference is starkly illustrated by the die sizes: the Xeon’s die is 484 mm² while the Ryzen’s is just 180 mm². Furthermore, the Ryzen packs 10,700 million transistors into that smaller space, while the Intel part’s transistor count is not listed in the data.

Core configurations also diverge. The Xeon W-2145 offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE provides 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part compensates for its older architecture with two additional physical cores. Cache hierarchies are notably different as well. The Intel chip has 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 11 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip, meanwhile, has half the L2 cache per core (512 KB) but a larger 16 MB shared L3 cache. This larger L3 pool is a hallmark of the Zen 3 design and contributes to its performance efficiency.

Platform features reveal their intended markets. The Xeon W-2145 is a server/workstation part with a quad-channel DDR4 memory bus, providing 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth and 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE is a desktop processor with a dual-channel memory bus (51.2 GB/s) and only 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Critically, the AMD chip includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the Intel Xeon has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. Both support ECC memory, but the Xeon’s platform is clearly designed for maximum memory throughput and expansion, while the Ryzen targets a more standard desktop footprint.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent, if narrow, pattern of AMD superiority. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE scores 1,559 against the Xeon’s 1,542, a 1.1% lead. The single-core R15 test is nearly identical, with the AMD part winning 219 to 217 (0.9% delta). This trend continues in Cinebench R20, where the AMD chip scores 6,496 vs 6,425 in multicore and 916 vs 906 in single-core, both again showing a 1.1% advantage. Cinebench R23 follows the exact same pattern: the Ryzen wins multicore with 15,468 to 15,299 and single-core with 2,183 to 2,159. In every single Cinebench test, the AMD processor wins by roughly 1%.

The Geekbench results tell a completely different story. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Xeon W-2145 achieves a decisive victory, scoring 8,712 compared to the AMD’s 6,994. This 24.6% margin is the largest performance gap in either direction across all tests. However, the tables turn dramatically in Geekbench single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE scores 1,921 against the Intel’s 1,345. This is a massive 30% difference in favor of the AMD chip. These two Geekbench results are the most extreme outliers in the dataset, suggesting that the two processors have very different strengths that are highlighted by this particular benchmark suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE is faster, scoring 15,468 compared to the Intel Xeon W-2145’s 15,299, a 1.1% difference.

Q: How large is the Intel Xeon W-2145’s advantage in Geekbench multicore?

A: The Intel part wins with a score of 8,712 versus the AMD’s 6,994, giving it a 24.6% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon W-2145 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2145 supports quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE uses dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2145 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2145 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 4,576, compared to the AMD’s 4,470. Both sit at the 58th percentile of all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data suggests that the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE is the superior performer for the vast majority of computing tasks. Its wins in all six Cinebench tests, including both single-core and multi-core, demonstrate a clear advantage in rendering and general processing workloads. The 30% lead in Geekbench single-core further solidifies its strength in typical desktop applications. Given its drastically lower 35W TDP and active production status, it is the more sensible and capable choice for a modern desktop system.

The Intel Xeon W-2145, however, should not be dismissed. Its 24.6% victory in Geekbench multicore is significant and suggests a specialized aptitude for certain parallel workloads that the Geekbench suite measures differently than Cinebench. For a professional user with a specific application that shows a similar preference, the Xeon’s higher memory bandwidth (85.3 GB/s) and additional PCIe lanes (48) could prove valuable. The Xeon W-2145 is an end-of-life product, and its 140W TDP is a considerable drawback, but its unique benchmark profile means it remains relevant for a narrow set of tasks where its specific strengths are required.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon W-2145 | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen 3 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 484 mm² | 180 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 10,700 million |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 11 MB (shared) | 16 MB |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2017-08-28 | 2021-05-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $1113 | Not specified |