AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 Comparison
AMD Ryzen 7 1700X
Xeon E3-1585 v5
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5
The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 occupy similar average benchmark territory, yet they are fundamentally different processors. The Ryzen 7 1700X is an unlocked 8-core desktop part aimed at high throughput, while the Xeon E3-1585 v5 is a locked 4-core server/workstation chip with integrated graphics and a higher launch MSRP. The data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 7 dominates in raw multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads tested, while the Xeon offers a feature set (integrated Iris Pro graphics, lower TDP, EOL status) that the Ryzen lacks. The following analysis breaks down where each processor wins based strictly on the benchmark and specification data.
Where Each One Wins
The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins in every head-to-head benchmark recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1537 against the Xeon's 720, a delta of 113.5%. This is the defining victory: the Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads versus the Xeon's 4 cores and 8 threads result in more than double the rendering throughput. The single-core Cinebench R15 result also favors the Ryzen, 154 versus 101, a 52.5% advantage. This is notable because the Xeon has a higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 3.40 GHz) and boost clock (3.90 GHz vs 3.80 GHz), yet the Ryzen still leads in single-threaded performance. The Ryzen also holds the win in Geekbench multi-core (5584 vs the Xeon's lack of a comparable Geekbench entry), reinforcing its multi-threaded dominance.
The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins in none of the head-to-head benchmarks (winsB: 0). Its only advantages are contextual, not performance-based. The data shows it has a lower TDP (65 W vs 95 W), a smaller die size (171 mm² vs 213 mm²), and integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P580) which the Ryzen lacks entirely. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the Ryzen supports only DDR4. However, the Ryzen has a higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s). In terms of benchmark percentiles, both processors sit at the 46th percentile vs all CPUs, but the Ryzen's average benchmark score (2094) is slightly higher than the Xeon's (2067). The Xeon's wins are purely in power efficiency and feature inclusion, not in raw compute performance.
Architecture Differences
The core architectural divide is stark. The Ryzen 7 1700X uses AMD's Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, packing 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses Intel's Skylake-H architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel, with 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die. The Ryzen has double the physical cores (8 vs 4) and double the threads (16 vs 8), which directly explains its multi-core benchmark superiority. The Ryzen's cache hierarchy is also larger per core: 96 KB L1, 512 KB L2, and a shared 16 MB L3, versus the Xeon's 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and 8 MB shared L3.
The socket and market positioning differ completely. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, is classified as a Desktop part, has an unlocked multiplier, and is still in Active production. The Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440 (soldered, not socketed), is classified as Server/Workstation, has a locked multiplier, and is End-of-life. The Xeon integrates Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the Ryzen has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory, but the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 while the Ryzen is DDR4-only. The Ryzen offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), identical to the Xeon's 16 lanes. The release dates differ by roughly nine months: the Ryzen launched 2017-03-01, the Xeon launched 2016-05-30. The launch MSRP for the Ryzen was $399, while the Xeon's was $556 — a number worth noting but not analyzing further.
The Verdict
From the data, the choice is clear for raw performance: the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the superior processor. It wins both head-to-head Cinebench R15 tests by wide margins (113.5% multi-core, 52.5% single-core), has a higher average benchmark score (2094 vs 2067), and offers double the cores and threads. For any workload that scales with multi-threading — rendering, encoding, heavy multitasking — the Ryzen is the only rational pick from these two. Its unlocked multiplier also allows for manual overclocking, a feature the Xeon completely lacks.
The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 is only preferable in specific, non-performance scenarios. Its 65 W TDP makes it more power-efficient per watt, and its integrated Iris Pro Graphics P580 means it can output video without a discrete GPU. The Xeon also supports older DDR3 memory, which could be relevant in legacy systems. However, its End-of-life production status and lower benchmark scores make it a risky choice for new builds. The Ryzen's Active status and higher performance make it the logical default. The Xeon's higher launch MSRP ($556 vs $399) does not translate into any benchmark advantage. The verdict: pick the Ryzen for performance, pick the Xeon only if you specifically need its integrated graphics, lower power draw, or DDR3 support.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R15?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is significantly faster, scoring 1537 versus the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5's 720, a 113.5% advantage.
Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 have any integrated graphics?
A: Yes, it features Iris Pro Graphics P580. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has no integrated graphics.
Q: Which CPU supports DDR3 memory?
A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X supports only DDR4.
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 2094, compared to the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5's 2067.
Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X overclockable?
A: Yes, its multiplier is unlocked. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a locked multiplier.
Q: Which CPU has more physical cores?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The only two shared benchmark tests are Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core. In multi-core, the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537, while the Xeon E3-1585 v5 scores 720. This is a 113.5% delta, meaning the Ryzen is more than twice as fast. The Ryzen's 8-core/16-thread configuration overwhelms the Xeon's 4-core/8-thread design in this heavily parallel workload. The Ryzen's shared 16 MB L3 cache versus the Xeon's 8 MB L3 also contributes to this gap, as does the Ryzen's higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s).
In single-core Cinebench R15, the Ryzen scores 154 against the Xeon's 101, a 52.5% delta. This is the more surprising result because the Xeon has a higher base clock (3.50 GHz) and boost clock (3.90 GHz) than the Ryzen (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost). The fact that the Ryzen wins single-core despite lower clocks suggests architectural efficiency from Zen over Skylake-H in this test. The Ryzen's larger per-core L1 (96 KB vs 64 KB) and L2 (512 KB vs 256 KB) caches may offset the clock speed disadvantage. The Ryzen also has a higher average benchmark score (2094 vs 2067) and a higher Geekbench multi-core score (5584), though the Xeon has no comparable Geekbench single-core entry in the data. The Xeon does have Cinebench R20 and R23 scores (3001 multi-core, 423 single-core; 7146 multi-core, 1008 single-core), but no Ryzen equivalents exist for comparison.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every key specification field. The Ryzen has 8 cores and 16 threads; the Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz (Ryzen) versus 3.50 GHz (Xeon), and boost clocks are 3.80 GHz (Ryzen) versus 3.90 GHz (Xeon). The Ryzen has a TDP of 95 W; the Xeon is lower at 65 W. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4; the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440. The architecture is Zen for AMD and Skylake for Intel, with codenames Zen and Skylake-H respectively. The process node is 14 nm for both, but the foundries differ (GlobalFoundries vs Intel). Transistor counts are 4,800 million (Ryzen) versus 2,300 million (Xeon), and die sizes are 213 mm² versus 171 mm². Cache sizes differ per core: L1 is 96 KB (Ryzen) vs 64 KB (Xeon); L2 is 512 KB vs 256 KB; L3 is 16 MB shared vs 8 MB shared.
Memory support shows the Xeon as more flexible: it supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the Ryzen is DDR4-only. Memory bandwidth favors the Ryzen at 42.7 GB/s versus the Xeon's 34.1 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Xeon includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P580); the Ryzen has none. Market segments are Desktop (Ryzen) versus Server/Workstation (Xeon). Production status is Active for the Ryzen and End-of-life for the Xeon. Release dates are 2017-03-01 for the Ryzen and 2016-05-30 for the Xeon. The launch MSRP is $399 for the Ryzen and $556 for the Xeon. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ryzen but locked on the Xeon. Part numbers are YD170XBCAEWOF (Ryzen) and SR2RB (Xeon).