AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS vs Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS and Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 are built for different worlds: one is a 35W mobile processor, the other a 120W server/workstation chip. Yet their benchmark results overlap in a way that makes a direct comparison useful. The recorded data shows a split decision across Cinebench tests, with each processor taking two wins. The Ryzen leads in the older R15 workload, while the Xeon dominates the newer R23 test. Both sit at the 57th percentile among all CPUs in the database, and their average benchmark scores are close: 4121 for the Ryzen, 3959 for the Xeon.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The Ryzen 9 5980HS scores 2083, while the Xeon E5-2669 v3 manages 1379. That is a 51.1% lead for the AMD part, a massive gap. The Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads outperform the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads in this test, despite the Xeon having 50% more cores. The Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 3.10 GHz likely explains part of the advantage, but the architecture difference is also significant.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen again wins, scoring 243 against the Xeon's 194. The 25.3% delta is substantial. This test is heavily dependent on clock speed and per-core efficiency, and the Ryzen's Zen 3 design at 7nm clearly has the edge over the Xeon's 22nm Haswell.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23. The Xeon takes the multi-core test with a score of 13690, beating the Ryzen's 12629. The delta is 7.8% in favor of Intel. Here the Xeon's extra cores and threads (12/24 vs 8/16) finally pay off, as the R23 workload scales better with core count. The Xeon also wins the R23 single-core test, scoring 1932 against the Ryzen's 1529, a 20.9% lead. This is surprising given the Ryzen's much higher boost clock, but the recorded data is clear: the Xeon's Haswell architecture performs better in this specific single-threaded test.

Looking at the broader picture, the Ryzen's average benchmark score of 4121 is higher than the Xeon's 3959. The Ryzen's nearest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X with an average score of 4114, a 0.2% difference. The Xeon's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 7330U at 3958, a 0% difference. These proximity values show that both processors are tightly grouped with their peers, but the Ryzen sits slightly higher on average.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the workload. If your software resembles the Cinebench R15 test, the Ryzen 9 5980HS is the clear winner, with a 51.1% lead in multi-core and 25.3% in single-core. If your software resembles R23, the Xeon E5-2669 v3 takes the lead, 7.8% in multi-core and 20.9% in single-core. The Ryzen also has a higher average benchmark score (4121 vs 3959) and a much lower TDP (35W vs 120W), making it the better choice for mobile or thermally constrained systems. The Xeon offers ECC memory support and 40 PCIe lanes versus the Ryzen's 16, which are critical for server reliability and expansion. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Xeon has none. For a laptop or compact desktop, the Ryzen is the practical pick. For a server or workstation that needs ECC, more PCIe lanes, and modern multi-threaded scaling, the Xeon is the one to choose.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The Ryzen 9 5980HS uses a 7nm process from TSMC, with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Xeon E5-2669 v3 uses Intel's 22nm process, with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The smaller node gives the Ryzen a significant advantage in power efficiency and clock speed, as reflected in its 35W TDP versus the Xeon's 120W.

Core and cache layouts differ as well. The Ryzen has 8 cores and 16 threads, with 512 KB of L2 cache per core and 16 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 12 cores and 24 threads, with 256 KB of L2 per core and 30 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 cache is useful for certain server workloads, but its smaller L2 per core may hurt in others.

Memory support is another key difference. The Ryzen supports DDR4 in dual-channel mode, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in quad-channel mode. Both have the same memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, but the Xeon's quad-channel bus can handle more modules. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not.

PCIe connectivity is heavily skewed toward the Xeon: it offers 40 Gen 3 lanes, while the Ryzen has only 16. The Xeon also has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU, whereas the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 8. The sockets are different (FP6 for AMD, 2011-3 for Intel), and the market segments are mobile versus server/workstation. The Ryzen is active in production, while the Xeon is end-of-life. The Ryzen has a recorded release date of 2021-01-11; the Xeon has no release date in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS boosts to 4.80 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3's 3.10 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5-2669 v3 supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 9 5980HS does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics; the Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Ryzen has a 35W TDP, the Xeon has a 120W TDP.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Xeon has 30 MB shared L3, while the Ryzen has 16 MB shared L3.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head benchmarks, the Ryzen 9 5980HS wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core. The Xeon E5-2669 v3 wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core. For applications that are similar to the R15 workload, the Ryzen is the better performer. For applications similar to R23, the Xeon takes the lead. The Ryzen also has a higher average benchmark score (4121 vs 3959) and a much lower TDP, making it a better fit for battery-powered or thermally constrained systems. The Xeon's advantages include more cores, ECC memory, and more PCIe lanes, which are valuable in server environments. The Ryzen's integrated graphics can handle display output without a discrete GPU, while the Xeon requires a separate graphics card. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is active, which may affect long-term availability.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS | Intel Xeon E5-2669 v3 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 120 W |

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

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Haswell |

| Codename | Cezanne | Haswell-EP |

| Generation | Ryzen 9 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) | Xeon E5 (Haswell-EP) |

| Process node | 7 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | 2,600 million |

| Die size | 180 mm² | 356 mm² |

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

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes | Gen 3, 40 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2021-01-11 | Not recorded |

| Part number | 100-000000474 | SR1XU |