AMD Ryzen 5 5560U vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 Comparison

# Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5560U: A Tale of Two Eras

The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 and AMD Ryzen 5 5560U represent fundamentally different approaches to computing. The Xeon is a server/workstation processor from 2014, built on Intel's 22 nm Haswell architecture, designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads with 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ryzen 5 5560U is a mobile chip from 2021, built on TSMC's 7 nm process using Zen 3 architecture, with 6 cores and 12 threads, and a TDP of just 15 watts compared to the Xeon's 140 watts. Both processors land in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they sit at roughly the same overall performance tier, but they achieve that status through very different means. The Xeon relies on raw core count and massive power draw, while the Ryzen leverages modern architecture efficiency and higher clock speeds in a fraction of the power envelope. The benchmark data shows a genuinely split decision: the Xeon wins heavily in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Ryzen dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests and single-core performance in that suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon also has a larger shared L3 cache at 20 MB versus the Ryzen's 8 MB, though the Ryzen has larger L2 caches per core at 512 KB versus the Xeon's 256 KB.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Xeon E5-1680 v3 has a TDP of 140 watts, which is nearly ten times the Ryzen 5 5560U's 15-watt TDP. This reflects their different market segments: the Xeon is a server/workstation part while the Ryzen is designed for mobile devices.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 scores 11,289 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 47.2% ahead of the Ryzen 5 5560U's 7,667 points. The Xeon's additional cores and threads give it a significant advantage in this newer multi-threaded test.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U wins both Cinebench R15 tests. In multi-core, it scores 1,280 versus the Xeon's 1,137, a difference of 11.2%. In single-core, it scores 202 versus 160, a 20.8% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 and the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U support ECC memory. Both also support DDR4, though the Xeon uses quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth while the Ryzen uses dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s.

Q: What are their production statuses?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is listed as end-of-life, having been released in 2014. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U is listed as active, with a release date of 2021.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. If your priority is multi-threaded rendering in modern benchmarks like Cinebench R23, the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the stronger choice by a wide margin. Its 11,289 score versus the Ryzen's 7,667 represents a 47.2% lead, which is substantial for workloads that can use all available cores and threads. The Xeon also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 1,593 against 1,260, a 26.4% advantage, which is surprising given the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.80 GHz.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U takes the crown in the Cinebench R15 suite. It leads by 11.2% in multi-core (1,280 versus 1,137) and by 20.8% in single-core (202 versus 160). This suggests that for older software optimized for the R15 workload, or for workloads that resemble that test's characteristics, the Ryzen's newer architecture provides better efficiency per clock.

The average benchmark scores in the database are close: the Xeon averages 3,265 while the Ryzen averages 3,162. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 at 3,264 (a 0% difference) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 at 3,277 (a 0.4% difference against the Xeon). The Ryzen 5 5560U's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 at 3,163 (0% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE at 3,160 (0.1% difference). Both chips sit in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs, meaning their overall performance levels are comparable despite their very different designs.

For a system builder, the choice comes down to platform priorities. The Xeon demands a server/workstation motherboard with Intel Socket 2011-3, 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and quad-channel memory support. The Ryzen fits into AMD Socket FP6 mobile boards with just 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and dual-channel memory. If you need a drop-in upgrade for an existing LGA 2011-3 workstation, the Xeon is the obvious pick. If you are building a new, power-efficient mobile system, the Ryzen is the only realistic option between these two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are split evenly at two wins each, but the margins tell a more nuanced story. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3's biggest win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 11,289 against the Ryzen 5 5560U's 7,667. That 47.2% advantage is the largest delta in the comparison and reflects the Xeon's 8-core, 16-thread configuration versus the Ryzen's 6-core, 12-thread setup, combined with the Xeon's larger 20 MB L3 cache. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon also wins, scoring 1,593 versus 1,260, a 26.4% lead. This is notable because the Ryzen has a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.80 GHz), yet the older Haswell architecture still manages to outperform Zen 3 in this particular test.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U's wins are in the Cinebench R15 suite. In multi-core, it scores 1,280 versus the Xeon's 1,137, a margin of 11.2%. In single-core, it scores 202 versus 160, a 20.8% advantage. The R15 results suggest that the Ryzen's architecture is more efficient in this older workload, possibly due to better instruction scheduling or memory latency characteristics. The fact that the Ryzen wins R15 multi-core despite having 2 fewer cores and 4 fewer threads indicates that its per-core performance in this test is substantially higher than the Xeon's.

The database also shows the Xeon has a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 4,741 and a single-core score of 669, while the Ryzen has a Geekbench multi-core score of 6,922 and single-core score of 1,642. These additional benchmarks were not part of the direct head-to-head comparison, but they contribute to the average benchmark scores and percentile rankings for each chip.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for the Xeon and 2.30 GHz for the Ryzen, but boost clocks reverse the order: 3.80 GHz for the Xeon and 4.00 GHz for the Ryzen. TDP is the starkest difference at 140 watts versus 15 watts.

The cache layouts differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 256 KB per core on the Xeon and 512 KB per core on the Ryzen. The L3 cache is 20 MB shared on the Xeon versus 8 MB shared on the Ryzen. The Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 2011-3, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6. The Xeon supports quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth; the Ryzen supports dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. Both support DDR4 and ECC memory.

The Xeon has 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen has 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Xeon has no integrated graphics; the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics. The Xeon has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen's multiplier is locked. The Xeon's part number is QFSSSR20H; the Ryzen has no listed part number.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips spans two major eras of processor design. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-EP codename, built on Intel's 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. It is part of the Xeon E5 generation and targets the server/workstation market. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U uses the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne-U, built on TSMC's 7 nm process with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. It belongs to the Ryzen 5 5000 series and targets mobile devices.

The process node difference is significant: 22 nm versus 7 nm. This explains why the Ryzen packs over four times as many transistors (10,700 million versus 2,600 million) into about half the die area (180 mm² versus 356 mm²). The power efficiency advantage of the 7 nm process is reflected in the TDP figures: the Ryzen operates at 15 watts while the Xeon requires 140 watts.

The cache architectures also reflect different design philosophies. The Xeon allocates 256 KB of L2 per core and a large 20 MB shared L3 cache, which benefits heavily threaded server workloads with large working sets. The Ryzen allocates 512 KB of L2 per core but only 8 MB of shared L3, which is more typical of a mobile chip where die space and power are at a premium. The Ryzen's integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics is a feature the Xeon lacks entirely, making the Ryzen a complete system-on-chip while the Xeon requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 wins in scenarios that demand maximum multi-threaded throughput in modern rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,289 is 47.2% higher than the Ryzen's, making it the clear choice for CPU-bound rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing tasks that scale with core count and can utilize its 16 threads. The Xeon also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 26.4%, which is an unexpected result given the Ryzen's newer architecture and higher boost clock. The Xeon's quad-channel memory interface with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it well-suited for workstation builds with multiple GPUs or high-speed storage arrays. Its unlocked multiplier adds overclocking flexibility for users willing to manage the 140-watt TDP.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U wins in Cinebench R15, both multi-core and single-core, with margins of 11.2% and 20.8% respectively. This makes it the better choice for older software or workloads whose performance characteristics resemble the R15 test. Its much lower 15-watt TDP makes it the obvious pick for laptops, thin-and-light systems, and any environment where power consumption and heat dissipation are primary concerns. The integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display and media tasks. The Ryzen's 7 nm process and 10,700 million transistors in a 180 mm² die demonstrate superior transistor density, which translates to efficiency gains that the benchmark data supports in the R15 suite.

For someone building a stationary workstation with access to high-wattage power supplies and robust cooling, the Xeon's raw multi-core power in R23 is compelling. For someone prioritizing portability, efficiency, and solid performance in legacy workloads, the Ryzen is the logical choice. The two chips tie at two wins each in the head-to-head comparison, and their average benchmark scores differ by only about 3%, so the deciding factors are platform compatibility, power envelope, and which benchmark generation matters most for your specific applications.