AMD Athlon 240GE vs Intel Xeon D-1518 Comparison

The benchmark data presents an unusual scenario: the Intel Xeon D-1518 and AMD Athlon 240GE produce virtually identical Cinebench scores across every test iteration, despite fundamentally different internal architectures. Both processors land in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs tested, with an identical average benchmark score of 1121. The head-to-head comparison shows the Xeon D-1518 edging out wins in all six recorded tests, but the margins are so narrow—often zero percent—that the results effectively describe a statistical tie. The data indicates that a 4-core, 8-thread server processor from 2015 and a 2-core, 4-thread desktop chip from 2018 deliver the same compute throughput in these specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is the near-perfect parity in single-core performance. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors score exactly 54 points. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 single-core, where both achieve 229 points, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, where both reach 547 points. The deltaPct for each of these tests is recorded as 0, meaning there is no measurable difference between the two chips in single-threaded workloads. This is remarkable because the Athlon 240GE runs at a 3.50 GHz base clock while the Xeon D-1518 operates at 2.20 GHz, yet the higher clock rate does not translate into any tangible performance advantage in these benchmarks.

Multi-core results follow the same trajectory. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both CPUs score exactly 390 points. The margin grows infinitesimally in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon D-1518 scores 1628 against the Athlon’s 1627, a delta of 0.1%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon again leads by a single point, 3877 versus 3876, with a delta of 0%. The Xeon D-1518 is credited with all six wins, but six wins by zero or 0.1% margins effectively means the two processors are interchangeable in these tests. The Athlon’s 2 cores and 4 threads are clearly sufficient to match the Xeon’s 4 cores and 8 threads under Cinebench’s scaling, which suggests that memory bandwidth, cache latency, or other platform factors are equalizing the results.

Looking at the broader rival context, both chips sit in a tight cluster. The Intel Core i7-2860QM trails by 0.1% with an average score of 1120, while the Intel Core i3-4150 is 0.2% behind at 1119, and the Intel Core i5-3550S is 0.3% behind at 1118. This grouping indicates that the Xeon D-1518 and Athlon 240GE are not outliers; they occupy the same performance tier as several older mainstream desktop processors. The data does not show either chip pulling ahead in any meaningful way, so the head-to-head results should be read as a dead heat rather than a victory for either side.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: Both processors achieve exactly 547 points in Cinebench R23 single-core, with a deltaPct of 0. The Xeon D-1518 is credited with the win, but the scores are identical.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare in Cinebench R20?

A: The Xeon D-1518 scores 1628 while the Athlon 240GE scores 1627, resulting in a 0.1% difference. This is the largest margin recorded in any head-to-head test between the two.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: Both the Intel Xeon D-1518 and the AMD Athlon 240GE have an average benchmark score of 1121, placing both in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Athlon 240GE does not. This is a significant differentiator for server or workstation use cases.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP?

A: Yes, both the Xeon D-1518 and the Athlon 240GE have a TDP of 35 watts, making them equally power-efficient on paper.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Xeon D-1518 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Athlon 240GE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite this 2x difference in core count, their benchmark scores are nearly identical.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Xeon D-1518 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE variant, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It contains 3,200 million transistors on a die size of 246 mm². In contrast, the AMD Athlon 240GE uses the Zen architecture, also on a 14 nm node, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The Athlon packs 4,950 million transistors into a smaller 209.8 mm² die, indicating a denser design with integrated graphics.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Xeon D-1518 allocates 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core. The Athlon 240GE provides 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but shares a 4 MB L3 cache across both cores. In practice, the Athlon’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may compensate for its lower core count, while the Xeon’s per-core L3 allocation totals 6 MB across four cores versus the Athlon’s 4 MB shared pool.

The memory controllers diverge as well. The Xeon D-1518 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Athlon 240GE supports only DDR4 but specifies a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon does not list a memory bandwidth figure in the data. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Xeon provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Athlon offers 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), which limits expansion capability.

Integrated graphics present another major split. The Athlon 240GE includes a Radeon Vega 3 GPU, making it a complete APU solution. The Xeon D-1518 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. The Xeon’s market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, while the Athlon is categorized as Desktop, which explains these design choices. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Athlon.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal clear contrasts beyond the benchmark parity. The Xeon D-1518 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Athlon 240GE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Xeon runs at 2.20 GHz, the Athlon at 3.50 GHz; neither supports a boost clock. Both are locked multipliers. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket, while the Athlon uses AMD Socket AM4, meaning they are not platform-compatible.

Memory support separates them further: the Xeon accepts DDR3 and DDR4, the Athlon only DDR4. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the Athlon. PCIe lane counts differ at 24 lanes for the Xeon versus 8 for the Athlon, both Gen 3. The Athlon includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none. Transistor count and die size also differ, with the Athlon at 4,950 million transistors on 209.8 mm² versus the Xeon’s 3,200 million on 246 mm². The Xeon’s launch MSRP was $193, while the Athlon’s was $75. The Xeon was released in March 2015, the Athlon in December 2018. Both are 14 nm, dual-channel, 35 W TDP parts with 6 benchmark wins credited to the Xeon.

The Verdict

The data presents a paradox: the Intel Xeon D-1518 and AMD Athlon 240GE perform identically in every Cinebench test, yet they serve entirely different purposes. For a user building a low-power server or workstation, the Xeon D-1518 is the clear choice based on ECC memory support, 24 PCIe lanes, and DDR3/DDR4 flexibility. The Athlon 240GE cannot match those platform capabilities, even though its compute scores are equal. The Xeon’s 4 cores and 8 threads also provide more headroom for multi-threaded server workloads that may not be captured in Cinebench’s specific scaling.

For a desktop user, the Athlon 240GE wins decisively on platform suitability. It includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU, and its launch MSRP was $75 versus the Xeon’s $193. The higher 3.50 GHz base clock and newer Zen architecture make it a more modern desktop part, and its smaller die size (209.8 mm² versus 246 mm²) suggests better manufacturing efficiency. The Athlon’s lack of ECC support is irrelevant for most desktop use cases.

The benchmark results suggest that neither chip offers a raw performance advantage. The Xeon’s six wins are all by 0% or 0.1% margins, which is effectively noise. The 32nd percentile ranking for both indicates they are entry-level performers by current standards. The deciding factor is not compute throughput but platform features. Choose the Xeon D-1518 if the workload demands ECC memory, high PCIe lane count, or server-grade reliability. Choose the Athlon 240GE if the priority is an all-in-one desktop solution with integrated graphics and a lower launch MSRP. The data shows no performance reason to prefer one over the other.