AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 and Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 are both 14 nm quad-core processors aimed at different corners of the market, yet their benchmark results paint a fascinatingly split picture. The data shows that the Ryzen 5 1400 delivers a decisive victory in older Cinebench workloads, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 fights back strongly in the newer R23 multi-core test. With both CPUs sitting at the 37th percentile of all CPUs and nearly identical average benchmark scores, the choice between them depends heavily on which workload generation matters more to the user.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the data is the Ryzen 5 1400’s overwhelming performance in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 133.75 against the Xeon’s 68. That is a 96.7% deltaPct, meaning the AMD part is nearly twice as fast in this specific test. The Ryzen 5 1400 also wins the R15 multi-core test with a score of 688 versus 488, a 41% lead. These are not marginal differences; they represent a complete generational shift in per-core efficiency, with AMD’s Zen architecture delivering far superior single-thread throughput in this older benchmark.

However, the tables turn dramatically when looking at Cinebench R23. In the multi-core test, the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 scores 4845, which is 17.8% higher than the Ryzen 5 1400’s 3985. This is a significant reversal, suggesting that Intel’s Skylake architecture scales better with the newer, more demanding workload. The single-core R23 test further confirms AMD’s advantage in that specific metric, with the Ryzen 5 1400 scoring 832 versus 684, a 21.6% deltaPct. So while the Xeon wins the modern multi-threaded battle, it cannot overcome AMD’s single-core dominance in either benchmark version.

Looking at the broader picture, the Ryzen 5 1400 wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head tests, but the one loss is the most modern and intensive workload. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1410 for the AMD part and 1401 for the Intel part — and both sit at exactly the 37th percentile in the global CPU rankings. The nearest rivals for the Ryzen 5 1400 include the Intel Core i5-4460 at 1415 (a -0.3% deltaPct) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U at the same score, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 is most closely matched with the Intel Xeon E-2104G at 1402 (0% deltaPct) and the Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404. These figures show both processors are firmly in the mid-range of performance, trading blows depending on the test.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two CPUs is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses the Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-DT, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated in-house by Intel, with just 1,750 million transistors on a much smaller 122 mm² die. This difference in transistor density and die size explains why the two chips achieve similar average scores despite vastly different physical designs.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 1400 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 provides 4 cores and only 4 threads, lacking Hyper-Threading. This explains why the AMD part dominates the R15 multi-core test — it can process twice as many threads simultaneously. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the Ryzen 5 1400 has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache, but the per-core L2 advantage for AMD likely contributes to its strong single-core R15 result.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Ryzen 5 1400 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost of 3.40 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 starts at 3.00 GHz but boosts to a higher 3.50 GHz. Despite the Xeon’s higher boost clock, the Ryzen 5 1400 still wins the single-core tests, indicating that architectural IPC (instructions per clock) differences favor AMD in these specific workloads. The TDP also differs, with the Ryzen 5 1400 rated at 65 watts and the Xeon at 80 watts, reflecting the latter’s server-oriented power envelope.

Memory support adds another layer of divergence. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports only DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel, but with a lower peak bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both CPUs support ECC memory, a critical feature for workstation and server reliability. PCIe connectivity is identical — Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU — and neither processor includes integrated graphics. The Ryzen 5 1400 is an unlocked multiplier part, while the Xeon is locked, which is notable given the AMD chip’s desktop market segment versus the Xeon’s server/workstation positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU performs better in the Cinebench R15 single-core test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 wins decisively with a score of 133.75, which is 96.7% higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5’s score of 68.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 beat the Ryzen 5 1400 in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 4845, a 17.8% advantage over the Ryzen 5 1400’s 3985.

Q: How many threads does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports 8 threads via 4 cores, while the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 supports only 4 threads on its 4 cores.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 and the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 have ECC memory support, making them suitable for error-correcting workloads.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for these two CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 has an average benchmark score of 1410, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 scores 1401, a difference of less than 1%.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, which is 0.10 GHz higher than the Ryzen 5 1400’s 3.40 GHz boost clock.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the thread count: the Ryzen 5 1400 offers 8 threads versus the Xeon’s 4, a direct result of AMD’s SMT implementation. Base clocks differ, with AMD at 3.20 GHz and Intel at 3.00 GHz, but the boost clocks reverse this, with Intel reaching 3.50 GHz and AMD only 3.40 GHz. TDP ratings also diverge, with the AMD chip drawing 65 watts versus the Intel chip’s 80 watts, making the Ryzen more power-efficient on paper.

Socket compatibility is entirely different: the Ryzen 5 1400 uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151. Memory support varies, with the AMD part limited to DDR4 and the Intel part supporting both DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 42.7 GB/s compared to Intel’s 34.1 GB/s. The cache hierarchy differs at L1 and L2 levels, with AMD offering 96 KB and 512 KB per core respectively, versus Intel’s 64 KB and 256 KB per core, though both share 8 MB of L3 cache.

Process node is identical at 14 nm, but the foundry and transistor counts differ dramatically: GlobalFoundries produces the Ryzen 5 1400 with 4,800 million transistors, while Intel fabs the Xeon with 1,750 million. Die sizes also differ, with AMD at 213 mm² and Intel at 122 mm². The Ryzen 5 1400 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked. Production status is another differentiator — the Ryzen 5 1400 is still active, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 is end-of-life. Release dates show the Intel part launched first on 2015-10-18, followed by AMD on 2017-04-10.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the better choice for users running legacy workloads or single-threaded applications, given its overwhelming 96.7% lead in R15 single-core and 41% lead in R15 multi-core. Its 8-thread capability and higher memory bandwidth make it a more capable general-purpose desktop processor, especially for multitasking and older software that benefits from SMT. The unlocked multiplier also offers flexibility for enthusiasts, provided they use the AM4 platform.

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the pick for users prioritizing modern multi-threaded rendering, as evidenced by its 17.8% win in R23 multi-core. The higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz and the mature Skylake architecture appear to handle the newer Cinebench workload more efficiently. The dual DDR3/DDR4 support could also be a deciding factor for users migrating from older platforms, but the locked multiplier and end-of-life status limit its long-term appeal.

Given that both CPUs sit at the same 37th percentile and have nearly identical average scores, the verdict is workload-dependent. The Ryzen 5 1400 wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head tests and offers a more modern, active platform with superior single-thread performance. The Xeon E3-1220 v5 wins the most demanding modern test but loses everywhere else. For a balanced assessment, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the more versatile processor, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 holds a narrow niche for R23 multi-core performance. The data does not support a clear overall winner, but the AMD part’s broader benchmark victories and active production status give it the edge for most users.