AMD Ryzen 7 4980U vs Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a split decision between these two processors, with each taking two wins in the recorded Cinebench tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U dominates the older Cinebench R15 suite, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 strikes back decisively in the newer Cinebench R23 tests.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 7 4980U posts a score of 1658 against the Xeon's 1098, a 33.8% advantage. This is the largest margin recorded in the head-to-head comparison. The Ryzen also wins the R15 single-core test, scoring 182 versus 155, a 14.8% gap. These results highlight the Ryzen's efficiency in the legacy workload that favors its architecture.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 scores 10904 in multicore, beating the Ryzen's 9164 by 19%. In R23 single-core, the Xeon again leads with 1539 against 1260, a 22.1% margin. This reversal suggests the Xeon's 12-core, 24-thread configuration scales better in the more demanding R23 render workload, and its higher per-core score in that test is notable.

Looking at the broader database averages, the two are nearly inseparable. The Xeon's average benchmark score is 3154 with a 53rd percentile ranking across all CPUs. The Ryzen 7 4980U averages 3066 and sits at the 52nd percentile. The Xeon's closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U, scores 3159, just 0.2% higher. The Ryzen 7 4980U's nearest competitor, the Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3, matches its 3066 score exactly, with a 0% delta. These figures place both processors in the same performance tier overall, despite their vastly different designs.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two is substantial. The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is built on Intel's 14 nm process with a Broadwell-EP die, packing 3,400 million transistors into a 246 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U uses TSMC's 7 nm node with a Zen 2 (Renoir) design, containing 9,800 million transistors in a smaller 156 mm² package. The Ryzen crams nearly three times the transistor count into less silicon, evidence of the denser manufacturing process.

Core counts favor the Xeon. It offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ryzen provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds tell a different story. The Xeon has a 2.20 GHz base clock and 2.90 GHz boost, whereas the Ryzen's base clock is listed at 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) but boosts to 4.40 GHz. The Ryzen's boost ceiling is dramatically higher, which explains its strong single-core showing in Cinebench R15.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core. The Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core, the Ryzen doubles that to 512 KB per core. L3 cache is where the Xeon pulls ahead: 30 MB shared versus the Ryzen's 8 MB shared. The Xeon's larger L3 pool benefits its 12-core design in multi-threaded workloads.

Memory subsystems are fundamentally different. The Xeon supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC memory. The Ryzen uses LPDDR4 on a dual-channel bus, delivering 34.1 GB/s, and lacks ECC support. The Xeon offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen provides PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors; the Xeon has no integrated graphics.

Power consumption is starkly different. The Xeon carries a 105 W TDP, the Ryzen a mere 15 W. This seven-fold difference reflects their market positioning: the Xeon is a server and workstation part, the Ryzen a mobile processor. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, launched on 2016-03-15 with a $1166 launch MSRP. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6 and arrived later on 2021-04-12. Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 4980U wins in scenarios that favor the Cinebench R15 workload. It leads by 33.8% in multicore and 14.8% in single-core in that suite. This suggests it handles legacy rendering tasks with superior per-clock efficiency, likely due to its higher boost clock and newer architecture. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile systems where power draw is a primary constraint. The integrated Radeon Graphics 512SP means it can drive displays without a discrete GPU, a capability the Xeon completely lacks.

The Xeon E5-2650 v4 wins in Cinebench R23, leading by 19% in multicore and 22.1% in single-core. The R23 benchmark is more demanding and scales with core count, which favors the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads. Its 30 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth provide a memory advantage for data-heavy workloads. ECC memory support makes it viable for error-sensitive server tasks. The 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow extensive expansion, and the 105 W TDP indicates it is designed for sustained all-core operation in a workstation chassis.

The average benchmark scores suggest little separates them overall. The Xeon's 3154 average versus the Ryzen's 3066 is a 2.9% difference, within the noise of typical benchmark variance. The percentile rankings, 53rd versus 52nd, confirm this near-tie. Buyers should weigh the specific workload: the Ryzen for mobile efficiency and legacy render tasks, the Xeon for server-class features and newer multi-threaded workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 averages 3154, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U averages 3066. The Xeon also holds a 53rd percentile ranking versus the Ryzen's 52nd.

Q: How does cache size differ between the two?

A: Both have 64 KB of L1 per core. The Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen has 512 KB of L2 per core and 8 MB of shared L3.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U does not.

Q: Which has more cores and threads?

A: The Xeon has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Ryzen has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures?

A: The Xeon delivers 68.3 GB/s via quad-channel DDR4. The Ryzen delivers 34.1 GB/s via dual-channel LPDDR4.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has integrated graphics, featuring Radeon Graphics with 512 shader processors. The Xeon has none.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. For Cinebench R23 workloads, which represent newer rendering demands, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the stronger performer. Its 19% multicore lead and 22.1% single-core lead in that suite are decisive. The Xeon also offers server-grade features: ECC memory, quad-channel DDR4, 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and 30 MB of L3 cache. Its 105 W TDP and socket 2011-3 platform indicate it belongs in a workstation or server where power is not the primary concern.

For Cinebench R15 workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the clear winner, leading by 33.8% in multicore and 14.8% in single-core. Its 15 W TDP makes it the right choice for mobile systems. The integrated Radeon Graphics 512SP eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. The higher 4.40 GHz boost clock contributes to its legacy benchmark dominance.

The overall averages are nearly tied, with the Xeon at 3154 and the Ryzen at 3066. Neither processor holds a commanding overall lead. The decision rests on platform requirements and workload type. Server administrators and workstation users needing ECC, high memory bandwidth, and many PCIe lanes should choose the Xeon. Mobile users prioritizing power efficiency and integrated graphics should choose the Ryzen. The near-identical percentile rankings, 53rd versus 52nd, confirm that raw performance is comparable; the differentiators are features and power envelope.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 | AMD Ryzen 7 4980U |

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

| Series | null | 4000 series |

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.90 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Broadwell-EP | Renoir |

| Generation | Xeon E5 (Broadwell-EP) | Ryzen 7 (Zen 2 (Renoir)) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 3,400 million | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 156 mm² |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | LPDDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | true | false |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | null | Radeon Graphics 512SP |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2016-03-15 | 2021-04-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $1166 | null |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | false |

| Part Number | SR2N3 | 100-000000354 |