AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 vs Intel Xeon D-1557 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1557 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 land in the same performance neighborhood, but they are built for entirely different jobs. The Xeon D-1557 takes a narrow but consistent lead across every Cinebench workload, winning all six head-to-head tests by margins between 1.5% and 1.8%. However, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 counters with a much higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, a lower launch price point (though the Xeon’s launch MSRP is $694), and a desktop-oriented feature set. The data suggests the Xeon D-1557 is the pick for server/workstation deployments where its 12 cores, 24 threads, and ECC memory support matter more than raw clock speed. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the choice for desktop users who want similar Cinebench scores with a modern AM4 socket and an unlocked multiplier, though it lacks ECC and offers fewer threads.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are remarkably close. The Intel Xeon D-1557 wins every single Cinebench test, but the largest margin is just 1.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core (112 vs 110). In multi-core tests, the Xeon’s advantage is consistently around 1.6-1.7%: it scores 795 vs 782 in R15 multi-core, 3314 vs 3261 in R20 multi-core, and 7892 vs 7766 in R23 multi-core. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is never ahead, but it is never far behind either.

For server or workstation buyers, the Xeon D-1557 is the clear recommendation. It delivers 12 cores and 24 threads, supports ECC memory, and uses a 45W TDP compared to the Ryzen’s 65W. The Xeon’s 47th percentile ranking among all CPUs is identical to the Ryzen’s, but its average benchmark score of 2282 slightly edges the Ryzen’s 2246. The Xeon also has a higher ceiling for parallel workloads, even if the gap is small in these tests.

For desktop builders, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 makes more sense. It uses the AMD Socket AM4, which offers a modern upgrade path, and its multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking — something the locked Xeon cannot do. The Ryzen’s base clock of 3.50 GHz is more than double the Xeon’s 1.50 GHz, which helps in lightly threaded tasks even though the Cinebench single-core scores are nearly identical (112 vs 110). The Ryzen is also cheaper at launch, though its launch MSRP is not available in the data.

The verdict is simple: if you need ECC, more threads, and lower power draw, choose the Xeon D-1557. If you want a desktop CPU with overclocking and a modern socket, choose the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500. Neither chip dominates the other in raw performance; the decision hinges on platform features.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1557 wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 795 vs 782 in R15 (1.7% ahead), 3314 vs 3261 in R20 (1.6% ahead), and 7892 vs 7766 in R23 (1.6% ahead).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 win any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head data, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 loses all six Cinebench tests. Its closest result is a 1.5% deficit in Cinebench R20 single-core (460 vs 467).

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1557 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 does not list ECC support in its specifications.

Q: What is the difference in core counts?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1557 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 4 cores and 8 threads. That is a 3x difference in core count and thread count.

Q: Can the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 be overclocked?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon D-1557 does not. This makes the Ryzen the more flexible option for desktop enthusiasts.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon D-1557 has an average benchmark score of 2282, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246. Both CPUs rank at the 47th percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon D-1557 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE variant, and is manufactured on a 14 nm process by Intel. It integrates 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) and is also on a 14 nm process, but it is fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a smaller 192 mm² die, meaning the Ryzen has more transistors in a smaller area.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Xeon D-1557 allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a 1.5 MB L3 per core, which totals 18 MB of L3 across its 12 cores. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but its L3 is 16 MB shared across all four cores. The Ryzen’s per-core L2 is double the Xeon’s, and its L1 is 50% larger per core, but the Xeon’s larger total L3 capacity (18 MB vs 16 MB) gives it an edge in cache-heavy workloads.

Memory support also diverges. The Xeon D-1557 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The Xeon adds ECC memory support, which the Ryzen lacks — a critical feature for server reliability. The Xeon also includes PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen’s PCIe configuration is not listed in the data.

The TDP gap is notable: the Xeon D-1557 draws 45W, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 draws 65W. This makes the Xeon more power-efficient despite having three times the cores. The Xeon’s market segment is Server/Workstation, while the Ryzen is aimed at Desktop. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket, which is soldered, whereas the Ryzen uses the socketed AMD Socket AM4.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every key specification except process node and memory bus width. The Intel Xeon D-1557 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon’s base clock is 1.50 GHz, far below the Ryzen’s 3.50 GHz, but the Xeon boosts to 2.10 GHz versus the Ryzen’s 3.70 GHz. The Xeon has a 45W TDP, the Ryzen a 65W TDP.

Socket compatibility is completely different: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, and the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4. The Xeon’s architecture is Broadwell, while the Ryzen’s is Zen. The Xeon has 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die, while the Ryzen has 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die. The Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen supports only DDR4. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon but not the Ryzen.

Cache configurations differ: the Xeon has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 1.5 MB L3 per core, while the Ryzen has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 16 MB shared L3. The Xeon includes PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes, while the Ryzen’s PCIe is not specified. The Xeon’s multiplier is locked, but the Ryzen’s is unlocked. The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $694; the Ryzen’s is not listed. The Xeon was released on 2016-02-23, while the Ryzen came later on 2017-06-28.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon D-1557, but the margins are razor-thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 795 against the Ryzen’s 782, a 1.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test is even tighter: 112 vs 110, a 1.8% edge for the Xeon. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon again leads. Multi-core scores are 3314 vs 3261, a 1.6% difference, while single-core is 467 vs 460, a 1.5% gap. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23: multi-core is 7892 vs 7766 (1.6% ahead), and single-core is 1114 vs 1096 (1.6% ahead).

What is most striking is how consistent the Xeon’s advantage is. Across all six tests, the deltaPct ranges from 1.5% to 1.8%, with no test showing the Ryzen pulling ahead or even closing the gap. The Xeon’s 12-core, 24-thread configuration should theoretically dominate in multi-core, but the Ryzen’s higher clock speeds (3.50 GHz base, 3.70 GHz boost) largely compensate for its 4-core, 8-thread limitation. The result is a near-tie in real-world performance, with the Xeon holding a slim but uniform lead.

The Xeon’s wins are not just narrow; they are also consistent with its average benchmark score of 2282, which sits just 1.6% above the Ryzen’s 2246. Both CPUs rank at the 47th percentile, confirming that they occupy the same performance tier. The Xeon’s closest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3, scores 2283 (0% delta), while the Ryzen’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-10710U, scores 2248 (-0.1% delta). This suggests that both CPUs are tightly clustered with mid-range desktop and server parts, and the head-to-head results reflect that parity.