AMD Ryzen 7 4800U vs Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4800U records an average benchmark score of 3218, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 sits slightly lower at 3154. Both processors land in the 53rd percentile against all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite their very different designs.

Q: Which processor wins the multi-core tests?

A: The results are split. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U wins with 1411 against 1098 for the Xeon, a 28.5% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 takes the lead with 10904 versus 8376, a 23.2% margin. The newer R23 workload favors the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What about single-core performance?

A: The two processors split single-core wins as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 4800U wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 183 versus 155, an 18.1% lead. But in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 comes out ahead with 1539 versus 1235, a 19.8% margin. The Xeon's higher base clock of 2.20 GHz appears to help in the newer test.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 12 cores and 24 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U's 8 cores and 16 threads. This gives the Xeon a 50% advantage in core count, which explains its strong showing in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U uses dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon's wider memory bus provides a 33% bandwidth advantage.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4800U is listed as Active production, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is marked as End-of-life. The AMD part was released on 2020-01-05, and the Intel part on 2016-03-15.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800U and Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 represent fundamentally different design philosophies from different eras. The Ryzen 7 4800U is built on TSMC's 7 nm process, packing 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. In contrast, the Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses Intel's 14 nm process with 3,400 million transistors on a larger 246 mm² die. The process node difference is substantial: 7 nm versus 14 nm, which explains how AMD fits more transistors into a smaller area.

The core architectures diverge sharply. The Ryzen 7 4800U uses AMD's Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, designed for mobile efficiency. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses Intel's Broadwell architecture under the Broadwell-EP codename, built for server and workstation workloads. The Zen 2 design emphasizes high clock speeds and single-thread efficiency, while Broadwell-EP focuses on many-core throughput and memory bandwidth.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both allocate 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The Ryzen 7 4800U provides 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 offers a smaller 256 KB per core. For L3 cache, the Xeon has a commanding 30 MB shared pool, versus the Ryzen's 8 MB shared. This 22 MB difference in L3 could matter for workloads with large working sets.

Memory support shows another split. The Ryzen 7 4800U supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports only DDR4. The Xeon features quad-channel memory with ECC support, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel without ECC. The Xeon's memory bandwidth advantage of 68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s reflects this wider bus.

The Ryzen 7 4800U includes integrated Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon compensates with 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen uses PCIe Gen 3 with fewer lanes. The Ryzen targets the Mobile market segment with a 15 W TDP, while the Xeon targets Server/Workstation with a 105 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a fascinating split between the two processors. In the older Cinebench R15 tests, the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U dominates. The R15 multi-core result shows 1411 for the Ryzen versus 1098 for the Xeon, a 28.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test similarly favors the Ryzen with 183 versus 155, an 18.1% lead. These results reflect the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which allows it to outperform despite having fewer cores.

The newer Cinebench R23 tests flip the script. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 scores 10904 in multi-core versus 8376 for the Ryzen, a 23.2% margin. This reversal suggests that the R23 workload scales better with the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads, and possibly its larger 30 MB L3 cache. In single-core R23, the Xeon also takes the win with 1539 versus 1235, a 19.8% edge. This single-core result is particularly surprising given the Ryzen's much higher boost clock.

The overall win count stands at 2 wins for each processor. The Ryzen 7 4800U wins both R15 tests, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 wins both R23 tests. This pattern indicates that the benchmark generation matters significantly. The R15 tests may be more sensitive to clock speed, while R23 appears to reward the Xeon's core count and memory bandwidth.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the Ryzen 7 4800U edges ahead with 3218 versus 3154 for the Xeon, a difference of about 2%. This narrow margin hides the divergent workload characteristics. The Ryzen's closest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE with a matching 3218 average, while the Xeon's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U at 3159.

The percentile rankings place both at 53rd percentile against all CPUs, reinforcing that these are mid-pack performers overall. However, the benchmark-specific data tells a more nuanced story about where each excels.

The Verdict

The data suggests that the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U and Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 serve different masters. The Ryzen 7 4800U, with its 15 W TDP and integrated graphics, is designed for mobile systems where power efficiency and portability matter. Its wins in Cinebench R15, both multi-core and single-core, show that it can punch above its core count in certain workloads.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4, with its 105 W TDP and server-grade features, targets workstation and server environments where raw throughput and memory bandwidth are priorities. Its wins in Cinebench R23, particularly the 23.2% multi-core margin, demonstrate that its 12 cores and 24 threads can be leveraged effectively by newer benchmarks.

For users prioritizing the R15 benchmark results, the Ryzen 7 4800U is the clear choice. For those working with R23-style workloads, the Xeon E5-2650 v4 offers superior performance. The Xeon's ECC memory support and quad-channel bandwidth make it suitable for data integrity and memory-intensive tasks, while the Ryzen's active production status and newer architecture offer a more modern platform.

The Ryzen 7 4800U is the better pick for mobile workstations and thin-and-light laptops where the 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics provide a complete package. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the better pick for rack servers and workstations where the 40 PCIe lanes, ECC memory, and 30 MB L3 cache support heavy multi-threaded and virtualized workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen 7 4800U offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 offers 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks stand at 1.80 GHz for the Ryzen and 2.20 GHz for the Xeon, but boost clocks reverse the order: 4.20 GHz for the Ryzen versus 2.90 GHz for the Xeon.

TDP values could not be more different: 15 W for the Ryzen versus 105 W for the Xeon. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3. Process nodes differ at 7 nm (TSMC) versus 14 nm (Intel). Transistor counts are 9,800 million versus 3,400 million, and die sizes are 156 mm² versus 246 mm².

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core, but the Ryzen has 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB for the Xeon. L3 cache is 8 MB shared for the Ryzen versus 30 MB shared for the Xeon. Memory support includes DDR4 and LPDDR4 for the Ryzen versus DDR4 only for the Xeon. Memory channels are dual for the Ryzen versus quad for the Xeon, with bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s.

ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe is Gen 3 for both, but the Xeon specifies 40 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics exist only on the Ryzen with Radeon RX Vega 8. Market segments are Mobile versus Server/Workstation. Production status is Active versus End-of-life. Release dates are 2020-01-05 versus 2016-03-15. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $1166, while the Ryzen has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800U wins in scenarios that favor its high boost clock and newer Zen 2 architecture. Its 28.5% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 18.1% advantage in R15 single-core indicate strength in lightly threaded and moderately threaded workloads. The 15 W TDP makes it ideal for battery-powered devices where thermal limits constrain performance. The integrated Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics provide a complete solution without a discrete GPU. The Active production status ensures ongoing availability and support.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 wins in scenarios that leverage its core count and memory subsystem. Its 23.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 19.8% advantage in R23 single-core show that newer benchmarks can extract more from its 12 cores and 24 threads. The 30 MB L3 cache and 68.3 GB/s quad-channel bandwidth support data-heavy server workloads. ECC memory provides data integrity for critical applications. The 40 PCIe lanes enable extensive expansion options for storage and networking.

For mobile productivity, content creation on the go, and power-constrained environments, the Ryzen 7 4800U is the stronger choice. For server virtualization, scientific computing, and memory-intensive database workloads, the Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the stronger choice. The 2-2 split in benchmark wins suggests that users should match the processor to their specific workload rather than expecting one to dominate universally.