AMD Ryzen 5 5600U vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split decision between these two processors, with each claiming two wins across the shared test suite. The most dramatic divergence appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 posts a score of 10656 against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U's 7792.5. That translates to a 36.7% advantage for Intel — a commanding lead that underscores the Xeon's workstation heritage. The Xeon also edges out the Ryzen in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 1504 versus 1371, a narrower 9.7% margin.

The narrative flips entirely in Cinebench R15, however. The Ryzen 5 5600U wins multi-core with 1321 points versus the Xeon's 1074, a 18.7% deficit for Intel. Even more striking is the single-core R15 result: the Ryzen scores 223 against Intel's 151, a 32.3% gap. This inversion between R15 and R23 is curious — the older benchmark heavily favors AMD, while the newer one swings decisively toward Intel. The data suggests that workload scaling characteristics differ substantially between these architectures, not just raw throughput.

Both processors sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their radically different designs. The average benchmark scores are remarkably close: 3082 for the Xeon and 3053 for the Ryzen, a difference of less than 1%. In the nearest rivals comparison, the Xeon trades blows with the Core i7-6850K (0.1% ahead), Core i7-8700B (0.1% behind), and Xeon W-2133 (0.2% behind), while the Ryzen sits 0.3% behind the Ryzen 3 PRO 7330U and 0.4% behind the Xeon E5-2618L v3. Notably, both processors are within 0.5% of the Ryzen 7 1800X, though in opposite directions.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is clear from the benchmark distribution. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 dominates in Cinebench R23, particularly in multi-threaded rendering workloads where its 8 cores and 16 threads scale effectively. A 36.7% lead in R23 multi-core suggests that long-running, heavily threaded compute tasks favor the Xeon's higher core count and larger 20 MB L3 cache. The single-core R23 win, while smaller at 9.7%, indicates that Intel's older Haswell architecture still holds its own in certain modern single-threaded scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U excels in the R15 benchmark suite, with a 32.3% single-core advantage and an 18.7% multi-core edge. This pattern hints at different optimization levels across benchmark versions — R15 may reward the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz and more efficient Zen 3 core design. The Ryzen also benefits from its 7 nm process node and TSMC foundry, which likely contributes to better instruction-level parallelism in certain workloads. For mobile or power-constrained environments, the Ryzen's 15 W TDP versus the Xeon's 140 W TDP is a decisive factor, though the data does not include direct power efficiency benchmarks.

The Ryzen's integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics give it a capability the Xeon completely lacks, as the Intel part has no integrated graphics listed. This makes the Ryzen suitable for systems without discrete GPUs, while the Xeon requires a separate graphics solution. For memory bandwidth, the Xeon's quad-channel DDR4 interface delivers 68.3 GB/s, substantially higher than the Ryzen's dual-channel 51.2 GB/s — a 33.6% theoretical bandwidth advantage that could matter in memory-intensive server workloads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two parts is vast, reflecting their different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process, built by Intel's own foundry. It packs 2,600 million transistors onto a 356 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U, by contrast, uses Zen 3 (Cezanne-U) on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with 10,700 million transistors on a much smaller 180 mm² die. The transistor density difference is staggering: the Ryzen crams roughly four times as many transistors into half the silicon area.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Xeon offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache hierarchies also diverge: both share 64 KB L1 per core, but the Xeon has 256 KB L2 per core versus the Ryzen's 512 KB per core. The Xeon's 20 MB shared L3 dwarfs the Ryzen's 16 MB, though the Ryzen's larger L2 partially compensates. Clock behavior is notably different too — the Xeon runs at a 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost, while the Ryzen starts lower at 2.30 GHz base but boosts aggressively to 4.20 GHz.

The socket and platform differences are fundamental. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a server/workstation platform supporting quad-channel DDR4 memory and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, a mobile platform with dual-channel DDR4 and only 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not. The Xeon has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Ryzen's multiplier is locked. The Xeon is a server/workstation part now end-of-life, released in September 2014; the Ryzen is an active mobile processor released in January 2021. The Ryzen's 15 W TDP versus the Xeon's 140 W TDP illustrates the extreme efficiency gap between a mobile APU and a desktop-class workstation chip.

The Verdict

The data supports two distinct buyer profiles. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the choice for compute-heavy, multi-threaded workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. Its 36.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, combined with quad-channel memory support and ECC capability, positions it for rendering, scientific computing, or server applications where the 140 W power draw is acceptable. The 9.7% single-core lead in R23 also suggests it can handle mixed workloads without sacrificing responsiveness.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U is superior for mobile use cases and workloads optimized for the R15 benchmark suite. Its 32.3% single-core win in R15 and 18.7% multi-core win indicate strong performance per clock, likely from the higher 4.20 GHz boost and Zen 3's improved IPC. The integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, and the 15 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops and compact systems. The Ryzen's active production status also means ongoing availability, unlike the Xeon's end-of-life status.

Users prioritizing modern benchmark performance in R23 and raw multi-core throughput should favor the Xeon. Users needing mobile efficiency, integrated graphics, and R15-optimized performance should choose the Ryzen. The near-identical average scores and percentile rankings suggest that for many mixed workloads, the difference may be negligible — but the specific workload characteristics will determine the winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has an average benchmark score of 3082, slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U's 3053, a difference of less than 1%.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 10656, which is 36.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U's 7792.5.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest single gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U leads by 32.3% with 223 points versus the Intel Xeon's 151.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 supports ECC memory; the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics; the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has no integrated graphics listed.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 15 W |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen 3 |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 180 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Gen 3, 8 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | September 2014 | January 2021 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |