AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B vs Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data presents a split decision. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B wins three of the four head-to-head comparisons, including both Cinebench R15 tests and the Cinebench R23 single-core test. The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 secures only one victory, but it is a decisive one in Cinebench R23 multi-core. For workloads that rely on many threads and sustained multi-core rendering in newer benchmark versions, the Intel Xeon holds a clear edge: it scores 4193 versus 3160 in R23 multi-core, a 32.7% advantage. However, for single-threaded tasks and older Cinebench workloads, the AMD part dominates, leading by 53.9% in R15 single-core and 35.5% in R15 multi-core.

The Ryzen Embedded V1605B is the more versatile choice for general-purpose computing, especially where per-core performance matters and power consumption is a concern. Its 15 W TDP versus the Xeon's 140 W TDP is a stark contrast, and it includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely. The Xeon E5-1607 v3 is a server-class part with ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR4, and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, making it suitable for workstation builds that require those specific platform features. The data does not support a universal recommendation; it points to workload-dependent selection.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B wins every recorded single-core test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 128 against the Intel's 59, a 53.9% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 841 against 591, a 29.7% advantage.

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark version. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 654 versus 422, a 35.5% lead. The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 4193 versus 3160, a 32.7% lead.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 has no integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, so it can output video without a discrete GPU.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B does not support ECC memory according to the recorded data.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B has a 15 W TDP, while the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 has a 140 W TDP. This is a substantial difference, indicating the AMD part is designed for much lower power envelopes.

Q: What are the memory channel configurations?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 uses a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B uses a dual-channel memory bus; no bandwidth figure is recorded for it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP architecture, using a 22 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It packs 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B uses the Zen architecture, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process node, with 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The AMD part has a newer process node and a higher transistor count, but a smaller die size.

Cache organization differs significantly. The Intel part provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 10 MB L3 cache. The AMD part offers 128 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but only 2 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Xeon has a much larger L3 cache, which can benefit certain server workloads, while the AMD Ryzen has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Threading capability is another fundamental divergence. The Intel Xeon has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The AMD Ryzen has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling two threads per core. This explains part of the AMD's advantage in multi-threaded Cinebench R15, where its thread count doubles the Intel's.

The platform-level features are also distinct. The Intel Xeon uses Socket 2011-3 and supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with ECC, plus 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The AMD Ryzen uses Socket FP5 and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory without ECC. The Intel part targets the server and workstation segment, while the AMD part is classified as a desktop embedded processor. The Intel Xeon is end-of-life, whereas the AMD Ryzen is still active in production.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most immediate difference: both have 4 cores, but the Intel Xeon has 4 threads while the AMD Ryzen has 8 threads. Base clocks differ, with the Intel at 3.10 GHz and the AMD at 2000.00 MHz. The AMD part has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel has no recorded boost clock. TDP is a major differentiator: 140 W for the Intel versus 15 W for the AMD.

The Intel Xeon uses a 22 nm process node, the AMD Ryzen uses 14 nm. Transistor counts are 2,600 million for Intel and 4,950 million for AMD. Die sizes are 356 mm² for Intel and 210 mm² for AMD. The Intel part is built by Intel, the AMD part by GlobalFoundries.

Memory support shows both support DDR4, but the bus widths differ: quad-channel for Intel, dual-channel for AMD. The Intel memory bandwidth is recorded at 59.7 GB/s; no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for AMD. ECC memory support is present on Intel, absent on AMD. PCIe lane count is 40 Gen 3 lanes for Intel, with no PCIe data recorded for AMD.

Integrated graphics are absent on the Intel Xeon, while the AMD Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 8. The market segments differ: Intel is server/workstation, AMD is desktop. Production status differs: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active. Release dates are September 2014 for Intel and February 2018 for AMD. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a clear win for the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B. The AMD scores 654 against the Intel's 422, a delta of 35.5% in favor of AMD. This result aligns with the AMD's 8 threads versus the Intel's 4 threads, as R15 multi-core scales well with additional thread count. The AMD's higher base clock of 2000.00 MHz, combined with boost up to 3.60 GHz, also contributes to this performance gap.

Cinebench R15 single-core is an even larger victory for AMD. The AMD scores 128, while the Intel scores just 59, a 53.9% delta. This is a substantial per-core performance difference. The Intel's Haswell architecture, despite its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz, cannot match the Zen core's single-thread efficiency in this benchmark. The AMD's 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, versus Intel's 64 KB and 256 KB, likely play a role here.

Cinebench R23 multi-core flips the result. The Intel Xeon scores 4193, while the AMD scores 3160, giving Intel a 32.7% advantage. This is surprising given the AMD's thread advantage and its wins in R15. The data suggests that the Intel Xeon's larger 10 MB shared L3 cache and its quad-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth help it in this newer, more demanding multi-core workload. The Intel's 140 W TDP also allows for sustained high-power operation, whereas the AMD's 15 W TDP may limit long-duration multi-core performance.

Cinebench R23 single-core returns to AMD's favor. The AMD scores 841, the Intel scores 591, a 29.7% delta. While the margin is smaller than in R15 single-core, the AMD still demonstrates superior per-core performance in both single-core tests. The AMD's boost clock of 3.60 GHz, compared to the Intel's fixed 3.10 GHz, helps explain this consistent single-core advantage.

Overall, the head-to-head data shows a pattern: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B wins on single-core and in the older R15 multi-core test, while the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 wins only in the newer R23 multi-core test. The AMD's win count is 3 out of 4 head-to-head benchmarks. However, the Intel's single win in R23 multi-core is by a larger margin than any of the AMD's wins except for R15 single-core. The average benchmark scores are close, with the Intel at 1212 and the AMD at 1196. Their nearest rivals also reflect similar performance levels: the Intel's closest rival is the Intel Core i3-7300T at a 0.1% delta, and the AMD's closest rival is the AMD Opteron 3365 at a 0.2% delta. Both processors sit at the 34th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall.