AMD Ryzen 5 1500X vs Intel Xeon D-1712TR Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data between the Intel Xeon D-1712TR and the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X presents a split picture, with each processor taking two wins across four benchmark comparisons. The most dramatic result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon D-1712TR posts a score of 6931 against the Ryzen's 4597, a decisive 50.8% advantage. That margin is the largest of any comparison in this pair, and it flips the narrative that the Ryzen 5 1500X is the stronger multi-threaded part.

The single-core results are much closer. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon D-1712TR scores 978 versus the Ryzen 5 1500X's 947, giving Intel a 3.3% lead. That is a narrow margin, well within the kind of run-to-run variation one might expect, but it still counts as a win for the Xeon in the newer test. The older Cinebench R15 tests tell a different story entirely. There, the Ryzen 5 1500X wins both comparisons by large margins: 805 versus 698 in multi-core (a 13.3% deficit for the Xeon) and 154 versus 98 in single-core (a 36.4% deficit for the Xeon).

The R15 single-core result is striking. A 36.4% gap in the Ryzen's favor suggests that the older benchmark is far more sensitive to raw clock speed, where the Ryzen 5 1500X has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, versus the Xeon's 2.00 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. Yet in the newer R23 tests, the Xeon pulls ahead, indicating that architectural improvements in the Ice Lake-D design outweigh the clock advantage in more modern workloads. The aggregate benchmark scores reflect this tension: the Xeon D-1712TR has an average score of 2004, while the Ryzen 5 1500X sits at 1992, a difference of roughly 0.6%.

Where Each One Wins

Looking at the use-case split, the Ryzen 5 1500X is the clear winner in legacy single-threaded workloads. The 36.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core is the kind of margin that matters for older applications that rely heavily on one thread and cannot leverage multiple cores effectively. Similarly, the Ryzen's 13.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core suggests that for older rendering and productivity tasks, the Zen architecture with its higher clocks delivers better real-world performance.

The Xeon D-1712TR takes over in modern multi-threaded scenarios. The 50.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a substantial gap that indicates the Ice Lake-D architecture scales better with threaded workloads, likely due to the newer 10 nm process node and larger per-core L2 cache. The 3.3% win in R23 single-core also suggests that the Xeon is more competitive in current-generation single-threaded tasks, even if it loses badly in the older R15 test. This pattern points to the Xeon being better suited for contemporary server or workstation workloads, while the Ryzen 5 1500X remains competitive for older desktop applications.

The percentile rankings reinforce this split. The Xeon D-1712TR sits at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 1500X is at the 44th — essentially tied overall, but the Xeon edges ahead by one percentile point. The nearest-rival data for the Xeon includes the Intel Core i5-8400H (average score 2003, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H (2002, 0.1% delta), showing that the Xeon performs in line with mid-range mobile desktop parts. The Ryzen 5 1500X's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-7920HQ (1992, 0% delta), which is a 4-core/8-thread laptop chip, indicating the Ryzen is also in that same performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural eras. The Intel Xeon D-1712TR is built on the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-D codename, using a 10 nm process node fabricated in Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge codename) on a 14 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. This process difference is significant: the 10 nm node allows for denser transistors and lower power consumption, which helps explain the Xeon's 40 W TDP versus the Ryzen's 65 W TDP.

Core counts are identical — both have 4 cores and 8 threads — but the cache layouts are very different. The Xeon D-1712TR has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 1500X has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's L2 cache is more than double the Ryzen's per core, which can improve performance for workloads that fit within that faster cache tier. The Ryzen has a larger L3 pool (16 MB versus 10 MB), which helps with larger working sets.

Memory support also differs. The Xeon uses triple-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 57.6 GB/s, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon's wider memory bus provides a 34.9% bandwidth advantage, which can be critical for memory-bound server workloads. The Xeon also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Ryzen is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Both support ECC memory, which is notable for a desktop chip like the Ryzen.

The Ryzen 5 1500X has a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm², while the Xeon's transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. The Xeon is marked as a server/workstation segment part, while the Ryzen is a desktop part. The Xeon's socket is Intel BGA 2227 (soldered), whereas the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, which is a standard desktop socket.

Specification Differences

Focusing only on the fields where the two differ, the Xeon D-1712TR has a base clock of 2.00 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 1500X runs at 3.50 GHz. Boost clocks are 3.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, respectively. The TDP is 40 W for the Xeon and 65 W for the Ryzen. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 2227 socket, the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4.

The process nodes are 10 nm (Intel foundry) versus 14 nm (GlobalFoundries). The Xeon's cache is 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3; the Ryzen's is 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Xeon has triple-channel memory with 57.6 GB/s bandwidth, the Ryzen has dual-channel with 42.7 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 16 lanes on the Xeon, Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Ryzen.

The Ryzen has a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm²; the Xeon's numbers are not available. The Ryzen 5 1500X has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon is locked. The Xeon's part number is SRM1G; the Ryzen's is YD150XBBM4GAEYD150XBBAEBOX. The Xeon was released on 2022-02-23, the Ryzen on 2017-04-10. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $263; the Ryzen's launch MSRP is $189.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1712TR scores 978 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X's 947, a 3.3% lead for the Xeon.

Q: How large is the multi-core gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Xeon D-1712TR scores 6931 while the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 4597, giving the Xeon a 50.8% advantage.

Q: Which chip wins the older Cinebench R15 tests?

A: The Ryzen 5 1500X wins both R15 tests: 805 versus 698 in multi-core (13.3% lead) and 154 versus 98 in single-core (36.4% lead).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon D-1712TR and the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X have ECC memory support.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Xeon D-1712TR is on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Ryzen 5 1500X is on GlobalFoundries' 14 nm process.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Xeon D-1712TR has 57.6 GB/s from its triple-channel DDR4 bus, versus 42.7 GB/s for the Ryzen's dual-channel DDR4.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload type. For anyone running modern multi-threaded applications — particularly server-side workloads, virtualization, or content creation using current rendering engines — the Intel Xeon D-1712TR is the stronger pick. Its 50.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is too large to ignore, and its higher memory bandwidth (57.6 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s) and PCIe Gen 4 support make it better suited for data-intensive tasks. The lower 40 W TDP also means less heat to manage in dense deployments.

For users working with older software that is sensitive to clock speed, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is the better option. Its 36.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core and 13.3% lead in R15 multi-core indicate that legacy applications will run noticeably faster on the Ryzen. The unlocked multiplier also allows for overclocking, which the Xeon does not support, giving the Ryzen additional headroom in scenarios where manual tuning can help.

The overall benchmark averages are nearly identical — 2004 for the Xeon versus 1992 for the Ryzen — so neither chip dominates the other in aggregate. The choice comes down to whether you prioritize modern threaded performance and platform features (Xeon) or legacy application speed and overclocking flexibility (Ryzen). The Xeon's newer architecture and larger L2 cache per core give it the edge in current-generation workloads, while the Ryzen's higher clocks and older benchmark wins make it a better fit for established desktop software. Both chips sit around the 44th–45th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the mid-range tier of performance.