AMD Ryzen 5 7520U vs Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a split picture, with each processor claiming victories in different workloads. Starting with Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U takes a decisive lead in both tests. In the multi-core test, the Ryzen scores 834 against the Xeon’s 720, a 13.7% advantage. The single-core gap is far more dramatic: the Ryzen posts 168.8 points versus the Xeon’s 101, a staggering 40.2% margin. This is the clearest generational difference on the page, showing the Zen 2 architecture’s per-thread strength against the older Skylake design.

However, the tables turn completely in the newer Cinebench R23 benchmark. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins the multi-core test with a score of 7146, while the Ryzen 5 7520U manages only 5149. That is a 38.8% swing in Intel’s favor. The single-core R23 result narrows the gap considerably, with the AMD part still ahead at 1171 versus 1008, a 13.9% lead. The inversion between R15 and R23 multi-core results is unusual. It suggests the Xeon scales better under the longer, more AVX-heavy R23 workload, while the Ryzen’s advantage shows in the shorter R15 run.

Looking at the broader average benchmark score, the two are nearly identical. The Xeon averages 2067, placing it in the 46th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen averages 2046, sitting just one percentile lower at 45th. Their nearest rivals confirm this parity. The Xeon’s closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G with an average score of 2059, a mere 0.4% difference. The Ryzen 5 7520U’s closest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 at 2048, just 0.1% off. In raw aggregate performance, these are effectively equivalent processors, despite their wildly different single-thread and multi-thread results in specific tests.

The head-to-head data shows the AMD chip wins three of the four listed benchmarks. Its wins come in both R15 tests and the R23 single-core test. The Intel chip’s sole victory is the R23 multi-core test, but that win is substantial enough to flip the average. For users running older software optimized for the R15 workload, the Ryzen is clearly superior. For modern multi-threaded rendering tasks that resemble R23, the Xeon pulls ahead. The 40.2% single-core deficit in R15 is the single largest margin in the entire comparison, highlighting how far mobile Zen 2 has come in raw IPC.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and philosophies. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 is built on the 14 nm Skylake-H architecture, fabricated in Intel’s own fabs. It packs 2,300 million transistors into a 171 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 6 nm process from TSMC, with a 100 mm² die size. The node shrink gives AMD a significant density advantage, though the transistor count for the Ryzen is not listed.

Core counts are identical: both have 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache layouts differ notably. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen doubles the L2 to 512 KB per core but halves the shared L3 to 4 MB. This means the Intel part has more total last-level cache, which likely helps in the R23 multi-core test. The AMD part compensates with faster per-core cache and a higher boost clock.

Clock speeds tell a clear story. The Xeon runs at a 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. The Ryzen starts lower at 2.80 GHz base but boosts much higher to 4.30 GHz. That 0.4 GHz boost advantage explains the Ryzen’s single-core wins. The Xeon’s higher base clock suggests it can sustain all-core loads better, which may also contribute to its R23 multi-core victory.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Xeon uses DDR3 or DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Ryzen exclusively supports LPDDR5, also dual-channel, but with 88.0 GB/s — more than double the bandwidth. This is critical for integrated graphics performance and memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not. The Xeon also offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen has only 4 Gen 3 lanes, reflecting the Xeon’s server/workstation roots versus the Ryzen’s ultra-mobile focus.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Xeon includes Iris Pro Graphics P580, a higher-end Intel iGPU for its era. The Ryzen has the Radeon 610M, which benefits from the faster LPDDR5 memory. The Xeon is a server-class part on the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the Ryzen is a mobile chip on AMD Socket FT6. The Xeon targets the server/workstation market and is end-of-life, released in May 2016. The Ryzen is an active mobile part, released in September 2022. The Xeon launched with an MSRP of $556; the Ryzen has no listed launch MSRP. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is the clear winner for single-threaded performance. Its 40.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 13.9% lead in R23 single-core make it the better choice for lightly-threaded applications like web browsing, office work, and older games that rely on one or two fast cores. Its higher 4.30 GHz boost clock and larger L2 cache give it a raw speed advantage that the Xeon cannot match. The Ryzen also wins in the R15 multi-core test, suggesting it handles short, bursty all-core workloads well.

The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 is the winner for sustained multi-threaded rendering. Its 38.8% advantage in R23 multi-core is substantial. This makes it the better choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and other long-running tasks that stress all cores for extended periods. The Xeon’s larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher base clock likely help it maintain performance over time. Its ECC memory support and 16 PCIe lanes also make it suitable for workstation environments where data integrity and expansion matter.

For mixed workloads, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 2067 for the Xeon versus 2046 for the Ryzen. Neither chip has a meaningful aggregate advantage. The choice comes down to workload profile. If the user runs modern multi-threaded applications that resemble R23, the Xeon wins. If the user runs older software or single-threaded tasks, the Ryzen wins. The Ryzen’s much lower 15W TDP versus the Xeon’s 65W TDP also makes it the obvious pick for battery-powered laptops, while the Xeon’s higher power budget suits a plugged-in workstation.

The Ryzen also has a clear edge in memory bandwidth for its integrated graphics. The 88.0 GB/s LPDDR5 support versus the Xeon’s 34.1 GB/s DDR3/DDR4 means the Ryzen’s Radeon 610M has far more headroom for frame buffer data. This could make the Ryzen better for light gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks that rely on system memory.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison. It leads by 40.2% in Cinebench R15 (168.8 vs 101) and by 13.9% in Cinebench R23 (1171 vs 1008).

Q: Which CPU is faster for multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Ryzen wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 834 versus 720 (13.7% faster). The Xeon wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 7146 versus 5149 (38.8% faster).

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U supports LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports DDR3 or DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s. The Ryzen offers more than double the bandwidth.

Q: Does either CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U does not.

Q: What are the process nodes and die sizes?

A: The Intel Xeon is on Intel’s 14 nm process with a 171 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen is on TSMC’s 6 nm process with a 100 mm² die, and it uses fewer millimeters for a newer node.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U boosts to 4.30 GHz. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 boosts to 3.90 GHz. The Ryzen’s boost is 0.4 GHz higher.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores and percentiles?

A: The Xeon averages 2067 and sits in the 46th percentile. The Ryzen averages 2046 and sits in the 45th percentile. The Xeon is 0.4% from its closest rival, the Ryzen 5 3400G; the Ryzen is 0.1% from its closest rival, the Xeon E3-1270 v5.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U |

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

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | AMD Socket FT6 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Zen 2 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 171 mm² | 100 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,300 million | Not listed |

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 88.0 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | 16 (Gen 3) | 4 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Graphics P580 | Radeon 610M |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2016-05-30 | 2022-09-19 |

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split recommendation. Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U for single-threaded performance and mobile efficiency. It wins three of the four head-to-head benchmarks, including both R15 tests and R23 single-core. Its 40.2% lead in R15 single-core is the biggest margin in the comparison. The 15W TDP versus the Xeon’s 65W makes it the only sensible choice for a laptop. The 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth also gives its Radeon 610M graphics far more headroom than the Xeon’s Iris Pro P580.

Choose the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 for sustained multi-threaded rendering in a workstation. Its 38.8% win in R23 multi-core is enormous, and its larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher base clock support that result. The Xeon also offers ECC memory and 16 PCIe lanes, which are workstation essentials. The average benchmark scores are nearly tied — 2067 versus 2046 — so the choice hinges on workload. If the software resembles R23’s long multi-threaded test, the Xeon is the pick. If it resembles R15 or single-threaded tasks, the Ryzen is the pick. The Xeon’s $556 launch MSRP and end-of-life status also matter, but the Ryzen’s active production status and lower power draw make it the more future-proof option for most buyers. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports two different tools for two different jobs.