AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 vs Intel Xeon X5560 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 across every Cinebench workload in the comparison set. The AMD part wins all five head-to-head tests, with the largest margin appearing in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where it scores 165 against the Intel Xeon X5560's 162, a 1.9% advantage. In the multi-core R20 test, the Ryzen Embedded R1600 scores 1169 versus 1154, a 1.3% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the closest relative result: 280 for AMD versus 276 for Intel, a 1.4% gap. Both Cinebench R23 results also favor the AMD chip, with a 1.3% lead in multi-core (2784 vs. 2749) and a 1.3% lead in single-core (393 vs. 388).

These margins are small in absolute terms, but they are consistent across every iteration of the Cinebench test suite represented in the database. The Intel Xeon X5560 does not secure a single win in any of the five recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The average benchmark score tells a similar story: the Ryzen Embedded R1600 averages 958, while the Xeon X5560 averages 946. The percentile placement also reflects this slight separation, with the AMD part at the 26th percentile of all CPUs and the Intel part at the 25th percentile.

The nearest rivals for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 include the AMD Opteron 4386 and Intel Core i7-950, both with an average score of 957 and a delta of 0.1%, as well as the AMD Athlon X4 870K and Intel Xeon W3550, both at 956 with a 0.2% delta. For the Intel Xeon X5560, the closest competitors are the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T and AMD Phenom II X6 1045T, each with a 946 average score and a 0% delta, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U with a 947 score and a -0.1% delta, and the Intel Core i3-1110G4 with a 945 score and a 0.1% delta. These rival groupings place both processors in a similar performance tier, but the AMD part sits marginally higher within that tier.

Where Each One Wins

Given the head-to-head results, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 wins in every benchmark category recorded. The most pronounced advantage is in single-threaded performance, where the 1.9% delta in the Cinebench R20 single-core test represents its strongest relative showing. The multi-core tests all show a 1.3% to 1.4% advantage for the AMD chip, indicating that despite having only 2 cores and 4 threads versus the Intel part's 4 cores and 8 threads, the Ryzen Embedded R1600 manages to outpace the older Xeon in heavily threaded workloads as well.

The Intel Xeon X5560 does not hold a winning position in any of the measured tests. Its closest result is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it trails by only 4 points. However, the database shows no scenario where the Xeon comes out ahead. For applications that rely on single-core performance, such as lightly threaded legacy software, the AMD part is the better choice based on the recorded data. For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD chip also leads, though by a smaller relative margin than in single-core tests.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward: the Ryzen Embedded R1600 is the stronger option for both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads. The Xeon X5560, while offering double the core count and thread count, does not convert that resource advantage into a benchmark win in any recorded test. Its higher thermal design power of 95 watts and older architecture likely explain why the extra cores do not yield superior results in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses the Zen architecture, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 148 mm² and 3,500 million transistors. The Intel Xeon X5560 uses the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Gainestown, manufactured on a 45 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 263 mm² and 731 million transistors. The process node difference is substantial: 14 nm versus 45 nm, which contributes to the AMD part's far lower 25-watt TDP compared to the Intel part's 95-watt TDP.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Ryzen Embedded R1600 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon X5560 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has twice the total L3 capacity, which is expected given its larger core count, while the AMD part compensates with larger per-core L1 and L2 caches relative to its core count.

Memory support and I/O also diverge. The Ryzen Embedded R1600 supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and uses PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU only. The Xeon X5560 supports DDR3 memory on a triple-channel bus, with PCIe Gen 2. Both support ECC memory. The Ryzen chip is classified in the mobile market segment and remains in active production, with a release date in early 2020. The Xeon is classified as server or workstation, is end-of-life, and was released in early 2009. The AMD part carries the part number YE1600C4T2OFG, while the Intel part is SLBF4. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither includes integrated graphics.

The core and thread counts are a major architectural contrast: the AMD chip has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel chip has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this, the benchmarks show the AMD part leading, which points to the efficiency gains of the newer Zen design and the 14 nm process. The older Nehalem design, while having more physical cores, operates at a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, compared to the Ryzen's 2.60 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The higher clock speeds of the Intel chip do not overcome the architectural disadvantages.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 scores 393 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 165 in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the Intel Xeon X5560 scores 388 and 162 respectively. The AMD part leads in both.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon X5560 win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 winning all five head-to-head tests, with the Intel Xeon X5560 finishing behind in every case.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Xeon X5560 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Xeon X5560 supports DDR3 memory on a triple-channel bus.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has a TDP of 25 watts, while the Intel Xeon X5560 has a TDP of 95 watts.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 is listed as active in production. The Intel Xeon X5560 is listed as end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Xeon X5560 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is 2.60 GHz for the AMD part and 2.80 GHz for the Intel part. The boost clock is 3.10 GHz for AMD and 3.20 GHz for Intel. TDP is 25 watts for AMD and 95 watts for Intel. The socket types are AMD Socket FP5 and Intel Socket 1366, respectively.

The architecture and codename differ: Zen and Zen for AMD, versus Nehalem and Gainestown for Intel. The process node is 14 nm for AMD and 45 nm for Intel. The foundries are GlobalFoundries and Intel. Transistor counts are 3,500 million for AMD and 731 million for Intel, with die sizes of 148 mm² and 263 mm². L1 cache is 96 KB per core for AMD versus 64 KB per core for Intel. L2 cache is 512 KB per core for AMD versus 256 KB per core for Intel. L3 cache is 4 MB shared for AMD versus 8 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support differs as well: DDR4 dual-channel for AMD versus DDR3 triple-channel for Intel. The AMD part has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel part does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 8 lanes for AMD versus Gen 2 for Intel. The market segments are mobile for AMD and server or workstation for Intel. Production status is active for AMD and end-of-life for Intel. Release dates are 2020 for AMD and 2009 for Intel. Part numbers are YE1600C4T2OFG for AMD and SLBF4 for Intel. Both support ECC memory, neither has integrated graphics, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.