AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U vs Intel Xeon D-1746TER Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U and Intel Xeon D-1746TER target fundamentally different segments, yet their benchmark profiles reveal a surprisingly close overall competition. The data shows the AMD part wins 7 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel part wins 8, with the average benchmark scores (21874 for AMD, 21635 for Intel) separated by just over 1%. Both processors sit at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are evenly matched in overall capability despite their architectural and market differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the comparison is the single-thread performance disparity. In the PassMark single-thread test, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U scores 3149 against the Xeon's 1785, a 76.4% advantage. This is the largest delta in any test and underscores the mobile chip's high-frequency design. The Cinebench R15 single-core test reinforces this trend, with AMD winning 232.5 to 189, a 23% lead. These results suggest that for lightly threaded workloads, the Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U is in a different class entirely.

However, the Cinebench R23 results flip the narrative decisively toward Intel. The Xeon D-1746TER scores 13311 in multi-core, which is 33.5% higher than the AMD's 8854. The single-core R23 test also favors Intel, with the Xeon posting 1879 versus 1463, a 22.1% advantage. This is a curious inversion: AMD wins the older R15 single-core test but loses the newer R23 single-core test. The data indicates that the Xeon's 10 cores and 20 threads provide a substantial multi-threaded advantage in sustained rendering workloads, despite its lower clock speeds.

The PassMark suite reveals a more nuanced picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U dominates in data encryption, scoring 12159 versus 9343, a 30.1% lead. It also wins integer math with 60045 versus 54482, a 10.2% advantage, and the multi-thread test with 16429 versus 15660, a 4.9% margin. Conversely, the Xeon D-1746TER wins data compression by a narrow 0.7% (191594 vs 190180), extended instructions by 2.8% (12620 vs 12261), and floating-point math by a marginal 0.6% (32772 vs 32571). The Xeon also takes random string sorting with a 14.5% lead (23732 vs 20299) and find prime numbers with a 23.5% advantage (68 vs 52).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance in PassMark?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U scores 3149 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 76.4% higher than the Intel Xeon D-1746TER's 1785.

Q: What is the biggest multi-core performance gap in the data?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1746TER leads the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U by 33.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 13311 versus 8854.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth on paper?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon D-1746TER has 64.0 GB/s, despite the Xeon supporting triple-channel memory.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U has an average benchmark score of 21874, while the Intel Xeon D-1746TER has 21635, a difference of roughly 1.1%.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon D-1746TER has ECC memory support, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon D-1746TER's 3.10 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent distinct design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, using a 6 nm process node from TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The chip is fabricated on a die size of 208 mm² and integrates a Radeon 660M graphics unit. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

In contrast, the Intel Xeon D-1746TER uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically Ice Lake-D, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. It packs 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The cache layout differs significantly, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server/workstation positioning. The process node difference (6 nm vs 10 nm) and core count disparity (6 vs 10) are the most fundamental architectural distinctions, directly influencing the benchmark outcomes observed.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several key differences beyond the core and clock figures. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Xeon D-1746TER supports DDR4 memory in a triple-channel configuration, with a slightly lower bandwidth of 64.0 GB/s. The socket types differ entirely, with AMD using Socket FP7 and Intel using BGA 2227.

The PCIe capabilities also differ, with AMD providing Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and Intel offering Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator: the AMD chip is rated at 15 watts, while the Intel Xeon is rated at 67 watts. The memory type and ECC support are notable, with Intel supporting ECC memory and AMD not. The integrated graphics are exclusive to AMD (Radeon 660M), and the Xeon has none. The release dates are close, with AMD launching on 2022-04-18 and Intel on 2022-02-23. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $1069, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of labor. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U is the superior choice for single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks, given its 76.4% lead in PassMark single-thread and its 23% win in Cinebench R15 single-core. It also excels in encryption and integer math, making it suitable for security-focused or general productivity workloads. Its low 15-watt TDP and integrated graphics position it for mobile or power-constrained environments.

The Intel Xeon D-1746TER, on the other hand, is the stronger option for multi-threaded rendering and server-style workloads. Its 33.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is substantial, and it also wins in data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. The Xeon's support for ECC memory and triple-channel DDR4, despite lower bandwidth, makes it appropriate for reliability-focused server applications. The choice hinges on whether the workload prioritizes single-thread responsiveness (AMD) or sustained multi-threaded throughput (Intel).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U wins in categories emphasizing clock speed and per-core efficiency. Its victories in PassMark single-thread (3149 vs 1785), data encryption (12159 vs 9343), integer math (60045 vs 54482), and multi-thread (16429 vs 15660) indicate strengths in general-purpose computing, cryptographic operations, and everyday multitasking. The Cinebench R15 single-core win (232.5 vs 189) further supports its advantage in legacy single-threaded applications. For a user running office suites, web browsing, or development tools that rely on high clock speeds, the AMD part is clearly favored.

The Intel Xeon D-1746TER wins in areas that benefit from more cores and threads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core victory (13311 vs 8854) is its most significant, pointing to strong performance in video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation tasks. The wins in data compression (191594 vs 190180), extended instructions (12620 vs 12261), find prime numbers (68 vs 52), floating-point math (32772 vs 32571), physics (859 vs 837), and random string sorting (23732 vs 20299) suggest a broad advantage in scientific computing, data processing, and server-side workloads. The Xeon's edge in random string sorting (14.5%) and prime number finding (23.5%) highlights its suitability for database operations and cryptographic hashing.