Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Xeon E5-2686 v4

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2024
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2686 v4

18 Cores36 Thrd145 WWMax: 3 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Xeon E5-2686 v4 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Xeon E5-2686 v4 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Xeon E5-2686 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G

2024

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 145W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (19,739 vs 19,860).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 45 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2686 v4, which brings 18 cores / 36 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
  • Launch MSRP is still $146 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2686 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2686 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • +181.3% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 18 cores / 36 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 123.1% higher power demand at 145W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G better than Xeon E5-2686 v4?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2686 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2686 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 181.3% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $146 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2686 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (135.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Xeon E5-2686 v4 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,739 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon E5-2686 v4

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 4.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,860 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 19,739 against the Xeon E5-2686 v4's 19,860 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2686 v4. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2686 v4.

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GXeon E5-2686 v4
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
18 / 36+200%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+47%
3 GHz
Base Clock
3.9 GHz+70%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB
45 MB+181%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
4.5 MB+800%
Process
7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Cezanne (2021−2025)
Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark
19,739
19,860
Geekbench 6 Single
895
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,822
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses FCLGA2011-3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GXeon E5-2686 v4
Socket
AM4
FCLGA2011-3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
1536 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G) / Yes (Xeon E5-2686 v4).

FeatureRyzen 5 PRO 5655GXeon E5-2686 v4
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes