AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Intel Xeon E-2126G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests against the Intel Xeon E-2126G. The database records 6 wins for the AMD part and 0 for the Intel part.

Q: How large is the AMD processor's advantage in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 10058 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Xeon E-2126G scores 8891. That is a 13.1% lead for the AMD chip.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2126G have any benchmark advantage?

A: The recorded head-to-head data shows no Intel wins. However, the Intel part has an additional Geekbench result in its individual benchmark list: a multi-core score of 5743 and a single-core score of 1565. The AMD part's individual list does not include Geekbench results.

Q: What is the difference in thread count?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has 12 threads (6 cores), while the Intel Xeon E-2126G has 6 threads (6 cores). The AMD part can process twice as many threads simultaneously.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2126G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 does not. This is a key differentiator for workstation or server reliability workloads.

Q: What is the architecture of each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses AMD's Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on a 14 nm node from GlobalFoundries. The Intel Xeon E-2126G uses Intel's Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake-S WS) on a 14 nm node from Intel.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 and Intel Xeon E-2126G both use 6 physical cores and 14 nm process technology, but the similarities end there. The AMD chip belongs to the Ryzen 5 generation built on the Zen (Summit Ridge) architecture, while the Intel chip is a Xeon E-2100 series part built on Coffee Lake (Coffee Lake-S WS).

Thread handling is the most consequential architectural split. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 supports Simultaneous Multithreading, giving it 12 threads from its 6 cores. The Intel Xeon E-2126G has no hyper-threading, so it delivers only 6 threads. In heavily threaded workloads, this doubles the AMD part's scheduling capacity.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD processor carries 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor carries 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has more cache at every level, which helps feed its 12 threads.

The sockets are incompatible: the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1151. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel multiplier is locked. The Intel Xeon E-2126G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has no integrated graphics listed.

Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 on both, but the Intel chip lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The AMD part does not support ECC. The Intel chip also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part has no PCIe field recorded.

The Intel processor has a higher boost clock at 4.50 GHz versus 3.60 GHz on the AMD part, and a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz. Yet the AMD chip has a lower TDP at 65 watts versus 80 watts for the Intel chip. The Intel die is smaller at 154 mm², while the AMD die measures 192 mm². The AMD chip contains 4,800 million transistors; no transistor count is recorded for the Intel part.

The Intel Xeon E-2126G is marked as end-of-life, launched July 2018, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is marked active, launched June 2017. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $255. The AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six direct comparisons, all Cinebench tests, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins every one. The margins are consistent, ranging from 12.7% to 13.1%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 1013 against 896 for the Intel Xeon E-2126G, a 13.1% win. In R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 142 against 126, a 12.7% win. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multi-core sees AMD at 4224 versus Intel at 3734 (13.1%), and single-core sees AMD at 595 versus Intel at 527 (12.9%). In Cinebench R23, the AMD chip scores 10058 against 8891 in multi-core (13.1%) and 1419 against 1255 in single-core (13.1%).

The consistency of the delta across all three Cinebench generations is notable. The AMD part does not merely win one workload class; it wins both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests by nearly the same margin. This suggests the advantage comes from architectural efficiency and the 12-thread capability, not from any single test condition.

For context on the AMD chip's standing, its average benchmark score is 2909, and it sits at the 51st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2186M at an average score of 2912 (0.1% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 at 2921 (0.4% ahead). The Intel Xeon E-2126G has an average benchmark score of 2842, also at the 51st percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i7-6800K at 2838 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i5-10600 at 2837 (0.2% behind). The AMD part holds a 67-point average score advantage over the Intel part.

The Intel Xeon E-2126G does have Geekbench results recorded in its individual benchmark list: 5743 multi-core and 1565 single-core. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has no Geekbench entries, so a direct Geekbench comparison is not possible from the recorded data. The Cinebench results, however, give a clear and repeated verdict.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 as the stronger performer in rendering and CPU-bound workloads. It wins all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, with margins of 12.7% to 13.1% over the Intel Xeon E-2126G. The AMD part also draws less power (65 watts versus 80 watts) and remains in active production, while the Intel part is end-of-life.

The Intel Xeon E-2126G should be chosen when ECC memory support is a requirement. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 does not support ECC, while the Intel chip does. The Intel part also includes integrated HD Graphics P630, which may simplify systems that do not want a discrete GPU. Its higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz does not translate into a Cinebench win, but it remains relevant for workloads that respond to peak frequency.

For most compute-heavy tasks in the recorded benchmarks, the AMD processor is the better pick. Its 12 threads give it a clear multi-core edge, and its single-core Cinebench scores are also higher despite the Intel chip's higher boost clock. The AMD part is also the more future-proof option given its active production status and unlocked multiplier.

The Intel part is a workstation-oriented Xeon with ECC and integrated graphics, but the benchmark data cannot justify choosing it for raw performance. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is the verdict winner on measured performance, power efficiency, and production status.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 | Intel Xeon E-2126G |

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

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 80 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Zen | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die size | 192 mm² | 154 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | HD Graphics P630 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2017-06-28 | 2018-07-11 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $255 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | YD160BBBM6IAE | SR3WU |

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins in rendering and multi-threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10058 versus 8891 is a 13.1% advantage. Its 12 threads allow it to handle parallel tasks more effectively than the 6-thread Intel Xeon E-2126G.

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins in single-threaded Cinebench tests. Despite the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz, the AMD part scores 1419 versus 1255 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 13.1% win. The same pattern holds in R15 and R20.

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins on power efficiency. The AMD part has a 65 watt TDP versus 80 watts for the Intel chip, while delivering higher benchmark scores across the board.

Intel Xeon E-2126G wins on ECC memory support. This is the only clear functional advantage in the recorded data. Workloads that require error-correcting memory must use the Intel part.

Intel Xeon E-2126G wins on integrated graphics. The HD Graphics P630 is present on the Intel chip, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics recorded. This matters for systems avoiding a discrete GPU.

Intel Xeon E-2126G wins on peak clock speed. The 4.50 GHz boost clock is higher than the AMD part's 3.60 GHz, which may benefit lightly threaded workloads not represented in the recorded Cinebench wins.

The recorded benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins every direct comparison, while the Intel Xeon E-2126G retains niche advantages in ECC support, integrated graphics, and peak frequency.