AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U vs Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits cleanly between these two processors, with each winning exactly two of the four head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 takes the newer Cinebench R23 workloads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U dominates the older Cinebench R15 tests and the Geekbench suite.

The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 wins in sustained multi-threaded rendering on modern benchmarks. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 10,656 points represents a 35.5% advantage over the AMD part's 7,866.5 points. This suggests the Xeon's eight physical cores and 16 threads, combined with its larger 20 MB shared L3 cache, scale better under the heavier rendering workload of R23. The Xeon also takes the R23 single-core test, scoring 1,504 versus 1,387.5, an 8.4% margin.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U wins decisively in the R15 generation of Cinebench. Its multicore score of 1,326 beats the Xeon's 1,074 by 19%, and its single-core score of 215.5 beats 151 by 29.9%. The Ryzen also holds an unlisted Geekbench advantage, with 5,496 multicore and 1,637 single-core points recorded, though the Xeon lacks corresponding Geekbench entries in this database. The Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz against the Xeon's 3.50 GHz likely explains its strong showing in older, shorter-duration tests.

The split reveals a workload-dependent pattern. For short-burst single-threaded tasks and legacy rendering benchmarks, the Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U is clearly superior. For longer, more demanding multi-threaded renderings, particularly those using the newer Cinebench R23 engine, the Xeon E5-1660 v3 pulls ahead. Both processors sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, indicating similar overall standing despite their divergent strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is a Haswell-EP part built on Intel's 22 nm process, fabricated in-house by Intel with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. It uses the LGA 2011-3 socket and targets the server and workstation market segment. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U is a Zen 3 Cezanne-U mobile part built on TSMC's 7 nm process, packing 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. It uses the FP6 socket and is designed for thin-and-light laptops.

Core counts differ: the Xeon offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 3.00 GHz with a 3.50 GHz boost, whereas the Ryzen starts lower at 2.30 GHz but boosts much higher to 4.30 GHz. Thermal design power tells a stark story: the Xeon is rated at 140 W, while the Ryzen is rated at just 15 W, nearly a tenfold difference. This makes the Ryzen far more suitable for mobile deployment, while the Xeon demands substantial desktop cooling.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core. The Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core, while the Ryzen doubles that to 512 KB per core. On L3, the Xeon offers 20 MB shared, while the Ryzen has 16 MB shared. The Ryzen's larger per-core L2 and higher clock speed help it in latency-sensitive tasks, while the Xeon's larger total L3 and additional cores help in throughput-heavy workloads.

Memory support shows another division. Both support DDR4, but the Xeon uses a quad-channel memory bus delivering 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen uses a dual-channel bus at 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, the Ryzen does not. The Xeon also provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), versus 8 lanes on the Ryzen. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all.

Process technology and transistor density strongly favor the Ryzen. At 7 nm versus 22 nm, the AMD part packs over four times as many transistors into roughly half the die area. This explains its dramatically lower TDP while still achieving competitive or better performance in many tests. The Xeon's 2014 release date places it in an older era, while the Ryzen launched in 2022 and remains in active production. The Xeon is end-of-life, and its multiplier is unlocked, whereas the Ryzen's multiplier is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The four direct comparisons in the database tell a story of generational change meeting core-count advantage. Starting with Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U posts 1,326 points against the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3's 1,074. This 19% deficit for the Intel part is notable given that the Xeon has two more cores and four more threads. The Ryzen's higher boost clock and newer architecture clearly compensate for its core deficit in this older test.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows an even wider gap. The Ryzen scores 215.5 points, the Xeon 151 points, a 29.9% difference. This is the largest margin in any recorded benchmark. The Ryzen's 4.30 GHz boost clock, combined with Zen 3's superior IPC over Haswell, produces a commanding lead in single-threaded legacy workloads.

The tables turn completely in Cinebench R23 multicore. Here the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 scores 10,656 points versus the Ryzen's 7,866.5, a 35.5% advantage. This reversal suggests that the R23 workload is more demanding and better utilizes the Xeon's extra cores and 20 MB L3 cache. The Xeon's quad-channel memory bandwidth may also help feed its eight cores more effectively under sustained load.

Cinebench R23 single-core narrows the gap but still favors Intel. The Xeon scores 1,504 points against the Ryzen's 1,387.5, an 8.4% margin. This is surprising given the Ryzen's much higher boost clock and newer architecture. The recorded data shows the Xeon winning this particular single-threaded test despite its older design, possibly due to the specific workload characteristics of R23's single-core benchmark.

The Geekbench results, recorded only for the AMD part, show 5,496 multicore and 1,637 single-core points. Without corresponding Xeon scores in this database, no direct comparison is possible, but the Ryzen's Geekbench numbers align with its strong R15 performance, reinforcing that it excels in general-purpose and legacy workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Why does the Ryzen win Cinebench R15 but lose Cinebench R23?

A: The Ryzen wins R15 multicore by 19% and R15 single-core by 29.9%, likely due to its 4.30 GHz boost clock. The Xeon wins R23 multicore by 35.5% and R23 single-core by 8.4%, indicating the newer benchmark better utilizes the Xeon's 8 cores, 16 threads, and 20 MB L3 cache.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is rated at 140 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U is rated at 15 W TDP.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 3,082, while the Ryzen has 2,988. Both sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs tracked.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear use-case split. The Intel Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the choice for modern multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its 35.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, 20 MB L3 cache, quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC support make it suited for workstation and server tasks where sustained throughput matters. Its 140 W TDP and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes indicate a desktop or rack-mount deployment with ample power and expansion.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U is the choice for legacy benchmarks and single-threaded responsiveness. Its 29.9% lead in R15 single-core and 19% lead in R15 multicore demonstrate strong performance in older software. Its 15 W TDP, integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, and 7 nm process make it ideal for mobile systems where power efficiency and compactness are priorities. The Ryzen's 4.30 GHz boost clock provides snappy single-threaded execution.

For buyers selecting between these two, the decision hinges on workload recency and platform requirements. Those running modern render engines that scale with core count should choose the Xeon. Those prioritizing legacy application performance, portability, and power efficiency should choose the Ryzen. Both processors sit at the same 52nd percentile overall, but their benchmark profiles could not be more different. The Xeon's 8.4% single-core win in R23 is the only modern test where Intel leads in single-threaded performance, making it a surprisingly well-rounded choice for its era. The Ryzen's older-test dominance suggests software optimization matters more than raw core count in many real-world scenarios.