AMD Ryzen 5 5560U vs Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U and Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 represent two very different approaches to computing: a modern, efficient mobile processor versus a legacy, high-core-count server chip. The data shows a near-perfect split in benchmark victories, with each CPU claiming exactly two wins in the head-to-head tests. Their overall average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the Ryzen 5 5560U scoring 3162 and the Xeon E5-2650 v4 scoring 3154, a negligible difference of 0.3%. This parity in overall score, however, masks significant differences in how each processor achieves its performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a clear generational and architectural divide. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U dominates the older Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 takes the lead in the newer Cinebench R23 workloads. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Ryzen 5 5560U scores 1280 against the Xeon's 1098, a substantial 16.6% advantage. The single-core delta is even more pronounced in this older test, with the Ryzen 5 5560U scoring 202 versus the Xeon's 155, representing a 30.3% lead. This indicates that in legacy applications and single-threaded tasks, the Zen 3 architecture in the Ryzen 5 5560U provides a significant performance edge.

The tables turn completely in the Cinebench R23 benchmarks. The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 scores 10904 in the multicore test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U manages 7667. This translates to a 29.7% victory for the Xeon, showcasing the raw throughput advantage of its 12 cores and 24 threads. The single-core R23 test also favors the Xeon, with a score of 1539 compared to the Ryzen 5 5560U's 1260, an 18.1% difference. This is a surprising result, suggesting that the Xeon's higher boost clock in this specific workload, or its memory configuration, allows it to outperform the newer AMD part in this particular test. The data shows that the Ryzen 5 5560U is the stronger performer in the R15 suite, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the clear winner in the R23 suite, making the overall comparison dependent on the software being used.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data allows for a clear use-case split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U is the winner for scenarios that rely on legacy software or lightly-threaded applications. Its 30.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 16.6% lead in R15 multicore demonstrate that it offers better performance for older workloads that were designed before multi-core scaling became the norm. The Ryzen 5 5560U also boasts a Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics solution, making it a more self-contained option for a mobile system where a discrete GPU is not an option, a feature the Xeon completely lacks.

Conversely, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the definitive winner for modern, heavily-threaded, multi-core workloads. Its 29.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore is a clear indicator of its strength in rendering, scientific computing, and other parallel tasks that can utilize all 12 cores and 24 threads. The Xeon's 18.1% lead in R23 single-core also suggests it may be the better choice for the latest generation of software that has been optimized for newer instruction sets or scheduling. With its quad-channel memory bus and 30 MB of shared L3 cache, the Xeon is positioned for server and workstation tasks that demand high memory bandwidth and large data sets, whereas the Ryzen 5 5560U is suited for mobile productivity and general-purpose computing.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures and for different market segments. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U is a mobile processor from the 5000 series, built on the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne-U. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 7 nm process node, packing 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. This modern, efficient design allows it to operate at a 15 W TDP, making it suitable for thin and light laptops. In contrast, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is a server and workstation processor from the Broadwell generation, specifically Broadwell-EP. It is built on Intel's 14 nm process node with 3,400 million transistors on a larger 246 mm² die. This older, less efficient process contributes to its much higher 105 W TDP.

The core configurations also tell the story of their different purposes. The Ryzen 5 5560U has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 doubles the core count to 12 cores and 24 threads, but with lower clock speeds of 2.20 GHz base and 2.90 GHz boost. Cache hierarchies differ as well, with the Ryzen 5 5560U featuring 512 KB of L2 cache per core and 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 256 KB of L2 cache per core but a much larger 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support also diverges: both support DDR4, but the Ryzen 5 5560U uses a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses a quad-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, but the Xeon offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus the Ryzen 5 5560U's 8 lanes, reflecting its role in systems with many expansion cards.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U was released on 2021-01-11, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 was released on 2016-03-15. The Ryzen 5 5560U is the more recent part.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Xeon E5-2650 v4 has no integrated graphics. Only the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U includes a Radeon Vega 6 iGPU.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U has a significantly higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4's boost clock of 2.90 GHz.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded performance in Cinebench R23?

A: According to the data, the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is better in this specific test, scoring 1539 compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U's 1260, a difference of 18.1%.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U has an "Active" production status, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is marked as "End-of-life".

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has a TDP of 105 W.

Specification Differences

The following table outlines the key specifications where the two processors differ:

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5560U | Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 105 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Broadwell |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | 3,400 million |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 246 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 6 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2021-01-11 | 2016-03-15 |

| Part Number | N/A | SR2N3 |

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on the user's priorities. The AMD Ryzen 5 5560U should be the pick for anyone building or buying a mobile system where power efficiency and integrated graphics are paramount. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops, and its 30.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core performance shows it is more than capable for everyday tasks and legacy applications. Its active production status and modern 7 nm process ensure it is a current, viable platform.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the better choice for a workstation or server environment where raw multi-threaded performance is the primary goal. Its 29.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore, combined with its quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes, makes it a superior compute engine for rendering, virtualization, and other professional workloads that can scale across its 12 cores and 24 threads. Its end-of-life status and high 105 W TDP are significant drawbacks, but for a specific set of server tasks, its performance in the R23 suite is decisive. The overall benchmark scores are nearly identical, but the way they achieve those scores is completely different, dictating their optimal use cases.