AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Intel Xeon E-2334 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon E-2334 wins every recorded Cinebench test against the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600. Across all six head-to-head comparisons, the Xeon E-2334 takes the win with a consistent margin of roughly 2.7% to 2.9%. This is not a case of one chip excelling in specific workloads while the other dominates elsewhere. The Intel part leads in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench runs, which makes the use-case split straightforward: if the workload relies on Cinebench-style rendering performance, the Xeon E-2334 is the stronger choice in every scenario measured.

Breaking down the wins by test type, the Xeon E-2334 shows its largest margin in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 612 against the Ryzen's 595, a 2.9% advantage. The smallest margin is a 2.7% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core (4339 vs 4224) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (10333 vs 10058). The single-core margins in R15 (146 vs 142) and R23 (1458 vs 1419) sit at 2.8% and 2.7% respectively, while R15 multi-core also shows a 2.8% edge (1041 vs 1013).

Interestingly, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 does not win a single recorded benchmark. With six cores and twelve threads versus the Xeon's four cores and eight threads, one might expect the AMD part to at least compete in multi-threaded scenarios. Yet the data shows otherwise. The Xeon E-2334's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to 3.60 GHz on the Ryzen appears to compensate for the core deficit. Even in multi-core tests, where thread count typically matters most, the Xeon's per-core efficiency and clock advantage keep it ahead.

For users prioritizing raw Cinebench scores, the use-case split is essentially nonexistent: pick the Xeon E-2334 for every measured workload. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 does offer more cores and threads, which could theoretically benefit heavily parallel workloads outside Cinebench, but within the recorded data, it trails across the board. The average benchmark score reinforces this, with the Xeon at 2988 versus the Ryzen at 2909, a difference of 79 points.

The percentile ranks also favor Intel, though narrowly. The Xeon E-2334 sits at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 sits at the 51st. This near-identical overall standing, combined with the Xeon's consistent head-to-head wins, suggests that the Intel part extracts more performance from its lower core count. The architectural differences, detailed later, help explain why.

The Verdict

The data supports a single conclusion: the Intel Xeon E-2334 is the superior processor in every benchmark category recorded. It wins all six Cinebench tests, holds a higher average benchmark score, and ranks one percentile higher in the overall CPU distribution. For any user comparing these two strictly on measured performance, the Xeon E-2334 is the definitive pick.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's only advantages lie outside the benchmark results. It has more cores (six versus four) and more threads (twelve versus eight), a larger shared L3 cache (16 MB versus 8 MB), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. It also uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform, which may offer different upgrade paths. However, none of these translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data. The Xeon E-2334 leads even in multi-core tests despite having two fewer cores and four fewer threads.

For single-threaded workloads, the Xeon's advantage is clear and consistent. Its 4.80 GHz boost clock, 1.20 GHz higher than the Ryzen's 3.60 GHz, drives margins of 2.7% to 2.9% across all three Cinebench single-core tests. The Xeon also leads in multi-core tests by nearly the same margin, indicating that its four cores with higher clocks outpace the Ryzen's six cores with lower clocks in these specific workloads.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is a 2017 release, while the Xeon E-2334 launched in 2021. This four-year gap in release timing likely explains much of the performance difference, as the Xeon benefits from newer architecture and higher clock speeds. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $250, which places it in a specific market position, though pricing considerations are beyond the scope of this analysis.

Users who value overclocking capability, more cores for non-Cinebench workloads, or the AM4 platform might still consider the Ryzen. But based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the Xeon E-2334 wins every comparison. The verdict is unambiguous: choose the Intel Xeon E-2334 for superior Cinebench performance, and only consider the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 if its additional cores and unlocked multiplier serve a purpose outside these measured tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show remarkable consistency in the Xeon E-2334's advantage. Across six Cinebench tests, the Intel part wins every single one, with delta percentages ranging from 2.7% to 2.9%. This narrow but uniform margin suggests a fundamental per-clock advantage rather than workload-specific optimization.

The largest margin comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Xeon E-2334 scores 612 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's 595. That 17-point gap represents a 2.9% lead. The same test in multi-core shows a 2.7% edge, with scores of 4339 and 4224 respectively, a difference of 115 points. This multi-core result is particularly telling because the Ryzen has 50% more cores and 50% more threads, yet still falls behind.

Cinebench R23 confirms the pattern. In single-core, the Xeon scores 1458 versus 1419, a 39-point gap at 2.7%. In multi-core, the Xeon scores 10333 versus 10058, a 275-point gap, again at 2.7%. These are substantial absolute differences in multi-core scenarios, especially considering the core count disparity.

Cinebench R15 shows similar results. The multi-core test has the Xeon at 1041 and the Ryzen at 1013, a 28-point difference at 2.8%. The single-core test has the Xeon at 146 and the Ryzen at 142, a 4-point difference, also at 2.8%. The consistency of these margins across different Cinebench versions indicates that the Xeon's advantage is stable regardless of the workload intensity or rendering complexity.

The average benchmark scores further contextualize these results. The Xeon E-2334 averages 2988 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 averages 2909. This 79-point gap places the Xeon at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, one percentile ahead of the Ryzen's 51st. Interestingly, the Xeon's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U with an identical average score of 2988, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2186M at 2912, just 3 points higher.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's nearest rivals include several Intel Xeon parts, with the Xeon E-2414 scoring 2905, just 4 points below. This proximity suggests that the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 performs at a level comparable to entry-level Xeon processors from its era, while the Xeon E-2334 competes with more modern mobile parts like the Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U and Intel Core i7-11375H. This positioning reinforces the Xeon E-2334's generational advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2334 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1041 versus 1013. In R20 multi-core, it scores 4339 versus 4224. In R23 multi-core, it scores 10333 versus 10058. The margins range from 2.7% to 2.8%.

Q: How much faster is the Xeon E-2334 in single-core tests?

A: The Xeon E-2334 leads by 2.7% to 2.9% across all single-core Cinebench tests. The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, 612 versus 595. The smallest margins are in R15 and R23, both at 2.7%.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 win any benchmark?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 loses all six head-to-head Cinebench tests against the Xeon E-2334. Its average benchmark score is 2909, which is 79 points lower than the Xeon's 2988.

Q: Why does the 6-core Ryzen lose to the 4-core Xeon in multi-core tests?

A: The Xeon E-2334 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which is 1.20 GHz higher than the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600's 3.60 GHz. The Xeon's higher clock speed compensates for its fewer cores in the recorded Cinebench workloads, allowing it to win multi-core tests despite having two fewer cores and four fewer threads.

Q: How do these processors compare in overall CPU ranking?

A: The Xeon E-2334 sits at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 sits at the 51st. The Xeon's average benchmark score is 2988, and the Ryzen's is 2909.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2334 was released on September 7, 2021. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 was released on June 28, 2017, over four years earlier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different architectural approaches. The Intel Xeon E-2334 uses the Rocket Lake architecture, specifically the Rocket Lake-E codename, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, also on a 14 nm process but manufactured by GlobalFoundries.

The Xeon E-2334 has a die size of 276 mm², while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has a smaller die at 192 mm². However, the Ryzen's die packs more transistors: 4,800 million versus no recorded figure for the Xeon. This transistor density difference reflects the Zen architecture's design philosophy of packing more cores into a smaller area, while Rocket Lake focuses on higher clock speeds per core.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The Xeon E-2334 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but its shared L3 cache is double at 16 MB. The larger L3 cache on the Ryzen could benefit workloads that repeatedly access large datasets, though the benchmark data does not show this translating into Cinebench wins.

The socket and platform choices diverge completely. The Xeon E-2334 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses AMD Socket AM4. This means motherboard compatibility and upgrade paths are entirely separate. The Xeon supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen has no recorded PCIe specification in the database. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not.

The market segments differ as well. The Xeon E-2334 is positioned as a Server/Workstation processor, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 targets the Desktop market. This positioning explains some feature differences, such as ECC support on the Intel part and the unlocked multiplier on the AMD part. The Xeon has a locked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is part of the 1000 series and the Ryzen 5 line with the Zen (Summit Ridge) generation. The Xeon E-2334 belongs to the Xeon E-2300 series with the Rocket Lake-E generation. Both use DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, with the Xeon offering a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s while the Ryzen has no recorded bandwidth figure.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts present the most obvious divergence. The Intel Xeon E-2334 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen has 50% more cores and 50% more threads, yet still loses in all recorded benchmarks.

Clock speeds favor Intel significantly. The Xeon E-2334 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Xeon's boost clock is 1.20 GHz higher, a substantial advantage that likely drives its benchmark wins.

Both processors share a 65 W TDP, making them comparable in power envelope. However, the Xeon achieves its higher performance within the same power budget, indicating better power efficiency per unit of performance.

Memory support differs in ECC capability. The Xeon E-2334 supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 does not. Both use DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, but the Xeon has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Ryzen has no recorded figure.

The Xeon E-2334 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, a feature absent from the Ryzen's recorded specifications. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Xeon's multiplier is locked.

Release dates show a four-year gap. The Xeon E-2334 launched on September 7, 2021, with a launch MSRP of $250. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 launched on June 28, 2017, with no recorded launch MSRP. The Xeon's part number is SRKN6, while the Ryzen's is YD160BBBM6IAE.

The Xeon E-2334 has a production status of Active and targets the Server/Workstation market. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 also has an Active production status but targets the Desktop market. Neither processor includes integrated graphics in the recorded specifications.