AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 vs Intel Xeon D-1548 Comparison

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison against the Intel Xeon D-1548. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD part holds a consistent, albeit narrow, edge, ranging from 0.6% to 0.9% deltas. Despite having half the cores and threads, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500’s higher clock speeds and architectural efficiency are sufficient to overcome the Xeon’s core-count advantage in these specific workloads. This makes the desktop-oriented AMD chip the surprising victor in raw compute performance, while the Intel part remains relevant only for its platform-specific features like ECC memory support and a server-oriented socket.

The Verdict

The benchmark results lead to a clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the superior processor for raw Cinebench performance, winning all six head-to-head tests. The Intel Xeon D-1548, despite offering twice the cores and threads, cannot outperform the AMD chip in any measured scenario. Therefore, for users prioritizing multi-threaded and single-threaded compute speed as measured by Cinebench, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the definitive choice.

However, the verdict is not solely about speed. The Xeon D-1548’s platform advantages are significant for specific use cases. It is a 45W TDP part with ECC memory support and a BGA 1667 socket, designed for the server and workstation market. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, with a 65W TDP, lacks ECC support and uses the desktop-oriented AM4 socket. Thus, the Xeon is the only viable option for systems requiring error-correcting memory or specific embedded/server form factors, even if it loses on performance benchmarks. The data shows a trade-off: choose the AMD for speed, choose the Intel for platform compatibility and reliability features.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and target markets. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is built on the Zen architecture using a 14nm process at GlobalFoundries, featuring 4 cores and 8 threads. Its cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The chip’s base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, and it features an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking on supported AM4 motherboards.

In contrast, the Intel Xeon D-1548 uses the older Broadwell architecture, also on a 14nm process but fabricated by Intel. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads into a 246 mm² die with 3,200 million transistors. Its cache structure is different: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The clock speeds are significantly lower, with a base of 2.00 GHz and a boost of 2.60 GHz. The Xeon is a locked multiplier part, soldered onto a BGA 1667 socket, and includes PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip also supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel part supports both DDR3 and DDR4. These architectural choices reflect the AMD’s focus on high-frequency desktop performance versus the Intel’s focus on core density and power efficiency for server workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern of narrow AMD victories across all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 782 against the Xeon’s 777, a 0.6% difference. The single-core test for R15 shows a slightly larger gap: 110 versus 109, a 0.9% delta for the AMD part.

Moving to newer versions, the results remain similar. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 3261 versus 3239, a 0.7% lead. The R20 single-core test shows 460 versus 457, again a 0.7% advantage for the Ryzen. Finally, in Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 7766 for AMD and 7713 for Intel, a 0.7% delta. The R23 single-core test concludes the sweep with 1096 versus 1089, a 0.6% margin.

The most striking takeaway is not the size of the wins, but the fact that the 4-core AMD chip beats the 8-core Intel chip in multi-core tests. This indicates that the Ryzen’s higher clock speeds (3.70 GHz boost vs 2.60 GHz boost) and superior per-core IPC from the newer Zen architecture more than compensate for the Xeon’s additional cores. The AMD chip’s average benchmark score of 2246 also edges out the Xeon’s 2231, reinforcing its overall performance advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly across nearly all specification fields. The core and thread counts are the most obvious divergence: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-1548 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The clock speeds also differ substantially, with the AMD chip having a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 3.70 GHz, compared to the Intel’s 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost.

The thermal design power (TDP) shows the Intel part as more power-efficient, rated at 45W versus the AMD’s 65W. The sockets are entirely different: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses BGA 1667 (which implies a soldered, non-upgradeable platform). Memory support differs, with the AMD chip supporting only DDR4, while the Intel part supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The AMD chip does not support ECC memory, whereas the Intel Xeon does. The cache organization is also distinct, with the AMD chip having a larger shared L3 (16 MB) versus the Intel’s per-core L3 (1.5 MB per core).

The transistor counts and die sizes differ: the AMD chip has 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die, while the Intel chip has 3,200 million on a larger 246 mm² die. The market segments are clearly split, with the AMD as a Desktop part and the Intel as a Server/Workstation part. The release dates show the Intel part is older, launched in late 2015, while the AMD chip came later in mid-2017. Finally, the multiplier is unlocked on the AMD chip but locked on the Intel part. The Intel Xeon D-1548 has a launch MSRP of $555.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1548 has significantly more cores and threads, with 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Despite having fewer cores, does the AMD chip win in multi-core benchmarks?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 wins the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests by margins of 0.6%, 0.7%, and 0.7% respectively, despite having half the cores of the Intel Xeon D-1548.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two chips?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1548 has a lower TDP of 45W, making it more power-efficient on paper, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500’s 65W TDP.

Q: Does the AMD chip support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 does not support ECC memory. The Intel Xeon D-1548 does support ECC memory, which is a key feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Intel Xeon D-1548 has a much lower base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a higher average benchmark score of 2246, compared to the Intel Xeon D-1548’s average score of 2231.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 wins in every measured performance benchmark category. The data shows it is faster in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests across R15, R20, and R23 versions. This makes it the clear winner for any application where raw CPU compute speed is the primary metric, such as general desktop productivity, software compilation, and rendering tasks that are well-optimized for multi-threading. Its unlocked multiplier also offers potential for overclocking, which could extend its performance lead further, although no overclocking benchmarks are provided in the data. The AMD chip’s performance is particularly impressive given its 4-core configuration, suggesting superior per-core efficiency.

The Intel Xeon D-1548 wins in the platform features that matter for specific deployment scenarios. Its support for ECC memory is a critical advantage for servers and workstations where data integrity is paramount. The lower 45W TDP makes it suitable for dense, power-constrained environments. Its BGA 1667 socket and server market segment indicate a design intended for embedded or compact server boards, rather than user-upgradable desktop systems. The Intel chip also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system design. While it loses on raw performance, the Xeon D-1548’s feature set defines its winning territory: reliability-oriented server infrastructure.