AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 vs Intel Xeon D-1521 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1521 and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 are both 4-core processors, but they are built for entirely different arenas. The benchmark data shows the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 as the clear performance winner, taking 5 out of 6 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Xeon D-1521 manages a single tie. Despite this, the Xeon’s server-focused feature set and lower power envelope carve out a distinct niche. This analysis breaks down the raw numbers, the architectural reasoning, and the specific use cases where each chip is the appropriate choice.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 wins the majority of the direct comparisons. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the AMD scores 480 against the Intel’s 476, a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen. This pattern repeats in the R20 multicore test, with AMD scoring 2002 versus Intel’s 1985, again a 0.8% difference. The R23 multicore test shows the same story: AMD’s 4767 edges out Intel’s 4728 by 0.8%.

The single-core results are also consistently in AMD’s favor, though by similarly thin margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors tie at exactly 67 points. However, in the R20 single-core test, the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 takes a 0.7% lead with 282 points against Intel’s 280. The R23 single-core test widens the gap slightly to 0.9%, with AMD scoring 673 and Intel scoring 667.

While the delta percentages are all under 1%, the consistency is notable. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 does not lose a single multi-core or single-core test where scores differ. The only non-loss for Intel is the R15 single-core tie. The average benchmark score reinforces this trend: the AMD chip posts an average score of 1379, while the Intel Xeon D-1521 sits at 1367. This places the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, the same percentile as the Xeon, but its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U and AMD Opteron 6366 HE, both with an identical average score of 1379.

The Verdict

The data-driven verdict is straightforward for raw compute performance: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the superior processor. It wins all multi-core tests, all single-core tests where scores differ, and has a higher average benchmark score. For any task that relies on CPU throughput, the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the better pick.

The Intel Xeon D-1521, however, is not without its reasons for existence. Its benchmark wins are limited to a single tie, but its architecture and platform tell a different story. This is a server/workstation part with a 45 W TDP, compared to the AMD’s 65 W TDP, and it uses a BGA 1667 socket, which is soldered to the board. The Ryzen 3 PRO 1200, in contrast, is an unlocked desktop processor on the AM4 socket.

Therefore, the verdict depends on the context. If the requirement is a drop-in desktop CPU with the best possible Cinebench scores, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the clear choice. If the requirement is a low-power, embedded server processor on a specific board, the Intel Xeon D-1521 is the relevant part, despite its lower benchmark performance. The data suggests that for pure CPU speed, you pick AMD; for a specific server platform, you pick Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The Intel Xeon D-1521 is built on the Broadwell architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process at Intel’s own foundries. It integrates 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 uses the Zen architecture, also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a smaller 213 mm² die.

The core configurations differ significantly. While both have 4 physical cores, the Intel Xeon D-1521 supports Hyper-Threading, giving it 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has no multi-threading, so it only has 4 threads. This is a critical difference that the benchmark scores reflect; the AMD chip achieves its wins with fewer threads, implying a much stronger per-core performance. The cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Intel Xeon D-1521 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 only supports DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD chip also has a listed memory bandwidth of 4256 MB/s, a figure not provided for the Intel part. Both processors support ECC memory, which is crucial for server reliability. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Intel Xeon provides 24 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 provides 16 Gen 3 lanes. The Intel part is also not multiplier-unlocked, whereas the AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 consistently wins in multi-core tests. It scores 480 vs 476 in Cinebench R15, 2002 vs 1985 in R20, and 4767 vs 4728 in R23, all representing a 0.8% lead over the Intel Xeon D-1521.

Q: Is the Intel Xeon D-1521 better at any Cinebench test?

A: The data shows a single tie. In the Cinebench R15 single-core test, both processors score exactly 67 points. The Intel Xeon D-1521 does not win any test outright.

Q: Why does the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 win despite having fewer threads?

A: The AMD chip has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having half the threads, the AMD chip scores higher, indicating significantly stronger per-core performance from its Zen architecture.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon D-1521 and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 have ECC memory support, making both suitable for reliability-focused workloads.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1521 has a 45 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 has a 65 W TDP. This makes the Intel part a lower-power option.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1521 provides 24 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, whereas the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 provides 16 Gen 3 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 is the winner for any workload that is purely about CPU compute speed. Its higher scores across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests make it the better choice for general desktop tasks, content creation, and any application that leverages high single-thread and multi-thread performance. Its unlocked multiplier also makes it a candidate for overclocking, a feature the Intel part lacks. The data shows it is simply the faster chip.

The Intel Xeon D-1521 wins in the context of its platform and power profile. Its 45 W TDP is significantly lower than the AMD’s 65 W, making it a more power-efficient option for dense server deployments or embedded systems. Its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory provides more flexibility in system design. The larger number of PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) gives it an advantage in configurations requiring more high-speed expansion devices. It also supports more threads (8 vs 4), which could be beneficial in heavily multi-threaded server workloads, even if the benchmark scores show it being slower at the same tasks in a Cinebench context.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1521 | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| PCIe Lanes | 24 (Gen 3) | 16 (Gen 3) |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $199 | Not available |