AMD Ryzen 7 1800X vs Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X records an average benchmark score of 3068, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 sits at 2978. Both processors occupy the 52nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they deliver similar overall performance tiers despite their architectural differences.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X dominates this test with a score of 1618 versus the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4's 966, a 67.5% advantage. This is the largest performance gap recorded between the two in any benchmark.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon have any performance advantages?

A: Yes. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core (9592 vs 8891, a 7.3% edge) and R23 single-core (1354 vs 939, a 30.6% advantage). It also wins Geekbench multi-core with 6060 against 5661, a 6.6% margin.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite fewer cores, the Intel part still manages to win several benchmark tests, suggesting higher per-core efficiency in certain workloads.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: Both support DDR4 memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X uses a dual-channel memory bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 employs a quad-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a locked multiplier, meaning its clock speeds cannot be adjusted by the user.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a split decision. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X takes the win in three of the six head-to-head tests, and the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 takes the other three. The choice between them depends entirely on workload priorities.

For users focused on older Cinebench R15 multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X is the clear pick. Its 1618 score versus 966 represents a massive 67.5% lead, and it also wins R15 single-core by 18.2%. The AMD chip also edges out the Intel Xeon in Geekbench single-core, albeit narrowly at 1.6%.

The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 is the better choice for modern rendering tasks and multi-core Geekbench performance. It leads by 7.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and by a substantial 30.6% in R23 single-core. Its Geekbench multi-core advantage of 6.6% further reinforces its strength in contemporary workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X carries a launch MSRP of $499, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 launched at $621. The AMD part also draws 95W TDP compared to the Intel's 140W, and it remains in active production while the Xeon is end-of-life.

For system builders who prioritize current rendering engines and single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 delivers stronger results despite its higher power draw. For those working with legacy Cinebench R15 pipelines or who want an unlocked multiplier for tuning, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X offers the more compelling package with lower power consumption.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in this comparison belongs to the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Its 1618 score eclipses the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4's 966, a 67.5% differential that reflects the AMD chip's 8-core, 16-thread configuration working efficiently in this older benchmark. The AMD part also secures a comfortable 18.2% win in Cinebench R15 single-core, posting 160.8 against the Intel's 136.

The Geekbench single-core test goes to the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X by a slim margin: 1140 versus 1122, a 1.6% advantage. This near-tie suggests that per-core performance in this synthetic workload is nearly equivalent, with the AMD chip holding a slight edge.

The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 strikes back decisively in Cinebench R23. Its multi-core score of 9592 surpasses the AMD's 8891 by 7.3%, and the single-core result is even more lopsided: 1354 versus 939, a 30.6% gap. This dramatic single-core advantage in the newer Cinebench version highlights how the Intel architecture extracts more performance per thread in current rendering workloads.

Geekbench multi-core also favors the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4, with 6060 against the AMD's 5661, a 6.6% margin. Despite having only 6 cores and 12 threads versus the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads, the Intel chip achieves higher multi-core scores in both Geekbench and Cinebench R23, pointing to superior per-core throughput in these modern tests.

The overall win count is tied at three apiece. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X claims Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, and Geekbench single-core. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 takes Cinebench R23 multi-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, and Geekbench multi-core.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X and Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 diverge on several key specifications. The AMD part features 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Both share the same base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz.

Power consumption differs significantly. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X draws 95W TDP, whereas the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 consumes 140W. This 45W difference makes the AMD chip notably more power-efficient for the same clock speeds.

Socket compatibility is entirely different. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 requires Intel Socket 2011-3. These are not interchangeable platforms.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X runs dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 supports quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, nearly doubling the theoretical memory throughput.

PCIe lane allocation favors the Intel part. The Xeon E5-1650 v4 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the Intel platform more room for expansion cards and NVMe storage.

The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X has an unlocked multiplier, enabling user overclocking. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 is multiplier-locked. Production status also differs: the AMD chip remains active, while the Intel Xeon is end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, part of the Ryzen 7 series from the 1000 series family. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 uses Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-EP, from the Xeon E5 line.

Both are manufactured on a 14 nm process node, but by different foundries. The AMD chip comes from GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Xeon is fabricated at Intel's own fabs. Transistor counts reflect the design differences: the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 contains 3,400 million transistors on a larger 246 mm² die.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip provides more L1 and L2 per core, while the L3 totals are close.

Both processors support DDR4 memory and ECC functionality. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 operates with a quad-channel bus, which explains its higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s.

Neither processor includes integrated graphics. Both rely on discrete GPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 1800X targets the desktop market segment with active production status, while the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 also targets desktop but has moved to end-of-life status. The release dates differ: the AMD chip launched on March 1, 2017, while the Intel Xeon arrived earlier on June 19, 2016.