AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Intel Xeon E-2278GEL Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL leads with an average benchmark score of 2956, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 trails at 2909. The Intel part also holds a higher percentile rank at 52 versus the AMD part's 51.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two in multi-core workloads?

A: Across all three Cinebench multi-core tests, the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL wins by a narrow margin of 1.6% to 1.7%. Specifically, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel scores 10220 against the AMD's 10058, a 1.6% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has 8 cores and 16 threads, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz (versus 2.00 GHz) helps it stay competitive.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 does not. This is a notable distinction given the Intel part's server/workstation market segment.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has a TDP of 35 watts, which is significantly lower than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's 65 watts. This makes the Intel part substantially more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL includes UHD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has no integrated graphics. This means the AMD part requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear, if narrow, victory for the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL across every single Cinebench test. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.6% to 2.1%. The Intel part is the correct choice for anyone prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, as evidenced by its 10220 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus the AMD's 10058.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is far from obsolete. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration delivers scores within 1.7% of an 8-core, 16-thread Intel part in every workload. The AMD processor also offers an unlocked multiplier, a feature the Intel Xeon does not have. For users who value overclocking flexibility or who require an active, in-production processor, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 holds appeal. Its 65-watt TDP is higher, but it compensates with a much higher base clock of 3.20 GHz.

The decision hinges on workload and platform requirements. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is the performance leader and the only option with ECC memory support and integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600, being an active desktop part, suits builds where overclocking and a modern AM4 socket are priorities. Neither processor dominates; the Intel part wins on performance, but the AMD part counters with features and platform flexibility.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL wins all six benchmark comparisons, but the margins are consistently slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 1030 against the AMD's 1013, a 1.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap: 145 versus 142, a 2.1% advantage for Intel.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Intel part scores 4292 in multi-core, beating the AMD's 4224 by 1.6%. In single-core R20, Intel's 605 edges out AMD's 595, a 1.7% difference.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results tell the same story. Multi-core scores are 10220 for Intel and 10058 for AMD, a 1.6% delta. Single-core R23 sees Intel at 1442 and AMD at 1419, again a 1.6% gap.

The data shows a consistent, if small, Intel advantage across all rendering workloads. The largest single-test margin is the 2.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core. The smallest is the 1.6% seen in R20 multi-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is never behind, but it never runs away either.

For context, the Intel part's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U, which posts an average score of 2965, just 0.3% higher than the Xeon's 2956. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2186M at 2912, a mere 0.1% above the Ryzen's 2909. Both processors sit in a tightly packed midfield where a single percentage point separates them from their immediate peers.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the Intel runs at 2.00 GHz, the AMD at 3.20 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with Intel at 3.90 GHz and AMD at 3.60 GHz.

Thermal design power presents a major split. The Intel part is rated at 35 watts, the AMD at 65 watts. Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1151, AMD uses Socket AM4. The Intel processor includes UHD Graphics P630; the AMD has no integrated graphics.

Memory support shows another key difference. Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode, but the Intel part lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD field is blank. ECC memory is supported on the Intel Xeon but not on the AMD Ryzen.

PCIe connectivity also differs, with the Intel part listing Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD field is null. The Intel processor is marked as end-of-life, whereas the AMD is active. The Intel part is not multiplier-unlocked; the AMD part is. Release dates are June 10, 2019 for Intel and June 28, 2017 for AMD.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, part of the Xeon E-2200 series. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, from the 1000 series. Both are fabricated on a 14 nm process, but Intel uses its own foundry, while AMD uses GlobalFoundries.

Die sizes are nearly identical: the Intel part measures 180 mm², the AMD part 192 mm². The AMD processor contains 4,800 million transistors, while the Intel field is null. Cache hierarchies differ per core. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the AMD has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache.

The Intel part integrates UHD Graphics P630, which the AMD lacks entirely. The Intel processor supports ECC memory, has a 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth rating, and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD part shows no PCIe data and no memory bandwidth figure.

Market positioning differs as well. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL targets server and workstation segments, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is a desktop part. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Intel part is locked. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD remains active. The AMD's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz partially compensates for its fewer cores in lightly threaded tasks, but the Intel part's 8-core advantage shows through in sustained multi-core workloads.