AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 vs Intel Xeon D-1587 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unusually clear-cut: the Intel Xeon D-1587 wins every recorded Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, across all three versions of the benchmark (R15, R20, and R23). The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 does not record a single victory in any head-to-head comparison. The margin is consistent, ranging from 1.9% to 2.3% in favor of Intel depending on the test.

That said, the practical use-case split is not about raw benchmark supremacy. The Xeon D-1587 is a 16-core, 32-thread server processor with a 65 W TDP, aimed at dense compute workloads where thread count matters more than clock speed. The Ryzen Embedded V2516 is a 6-core, 12-thread part with a 10 W TDP, built for power-constrained embedded systems where energy efficiency is the primary design goal. The data shows Intel leads in every render test, but AMD's advantage lies in its dramatically lower power envelope and integrated graphics, which the Intel part lacks entirely.

For workloads that are purely threaded and do not care about wattage, the Xeon D-1587 is the clear winner. For embedded deployments where thermal limits and power budgets are strict, the Ryzen Embedded V2516 offers comparable multi-threaded performance (within about 2% to 3%) at a fraction of the power draw. The database records the Intel part as sitting at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 53rd percentile, a negligible difference in overall standing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The Intel Xeon D-1587 is built on Intel's 14 nm process with a Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation. It uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket and integrates 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 is a Zen 2 part, codenamed Renoir, manufactured by TSMC on a 7 nm process. It packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. The transistor count difference is stark: AMD fits more than three times as many transistors into a smaller physical area, which reflects the denser 7 nm node.

Cache organization also differs. The Intel part allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The AMD part has the same 64 KB L1 per core but doubles L2 to 512 KB per core, and uses a shared 8 MB L3 pool instead of a per-core allocation. For single-threaded workloads, AMD's larger per-core L2 can help, but the benchmark results show Intel still edges ahead in single-core Cinebench scores, likely due to higher sustained clocks in the tested configuration.

Memory support diverges as well. The Xeon D-1587 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen Embedded V2516 supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel part does not record a bandwidth figure. Both support ECC memory, which is important for reliability in embedded and server roles.

PCIe connectivity is similar in generation but different in lane count: Intel provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, AMD provides 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The most significant architectural difference is integrated graphics. The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics at all. This means the AMD chip can drive displays without a separate GPU, a critical feature for embedded systems with space and power constraints.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent, with Intel winning every test by a narrow margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1587 scores 1167 against 1141 for the Ryzen Embedded V2516, a 2.3% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 164 versus 161, a 1.9% edge for Intel.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 4865 for Intel versus 4758 for AMD, a 2.2% lead. Single-core R20 shows 686 versus 671, again a 2.2% lead. In Cinebench R23, the most recent benchmark version, the multi-core score is 11585 for Intel versus 11329 for AMD, a 2.3% gap. The single-core R23 test records 1635 versus 1599, a 2.3% lead as well.

The pattern is clear: the Xeon D-1587 wins every test by roughly 2% to 2.3%, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This is a narrow but consistent margin. The AMD part's higher boost clock of 3.95 GHz versus Intel's 2.30 GHz does not translate into a single-core win, and the Intel part's 16 cores versus 6 cores does not produce a large multi-core blowout. The data suggests that the two processors are far closer in real-world threaded performance than their core counts would imply, likely because the AMD part's higher clocks and more efficient architecture compensate for its lower core count in these specific render workloads.

The average benchmark scores reflect this closeness. The Intel part records an average score of 3350, while the AMD part averages 3277. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-7800X at 3333 (0.5% lower) and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U at 3369 (0.5% higher). The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100T at 3277 (exact match) and the Intel Xeon E-2374G at 3278 (essentially identical). Both processors sit near the middle of the overall CPU distribution, with Intel at the 54th percentile and AMD at the 53rd percentile.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ according to the database.

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1587 | AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1700 MHz | 2100 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2300 MHz | 3950 MHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 10 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Broadwell | Renoir |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Ryzen Embedded (Zen 2 (Renoir)) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 156 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 24 (Gen 3) | 20 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Graphics 384SP |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2016-02-23 | 2020-11-09 |

| Launch MSRP | 1549 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR2M1 | 100-000000243 |

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 wins every multi-core Cinebench test. In R15 multi-core it scores 1167 versus 1141, in R20 multi-core it scores 4865 versus 4758, and in R23 multi-core it scores 11585 versus 11329. The margin is consistently around 2.2% to 2.3%.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 has a much higher boost clock at 3.95 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon D-1587's 2.30 GHz. Despite this, Intel still wins the single-core Cinebench tests by about 2% in each version.

Q: Does the AMD chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors. The Intel Xeon D-1587 has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a separate GPU for display output.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 has a TDP of 10 W, while the Intel Xeon D-1587 has a TDP of 65 W. This is a substantial difference, making the AMD part far more suitable for power-constrained embedded systems.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 provides 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Both are Gen 3, but Intel offers four additional lanes.

Q: How do their overall benchmark percentiles compare?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 sits at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 sits at the 53rd percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 3350 and 3277, respectively, a difference of about 2.2%.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow winner in raw performance: the Intel Xeon D-1587. It wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons, with margins between 1.9% and 2.3%. For anyone running Cinebench-style threaded workloads and not caring about power draw, the Intel part is the better choice. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide a solid base for server and workstation tasks, and it holds a consistent edge over the AMD part in every test.

However, the verdict is not one-sided. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 offers a 10 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W, a six-fold reduction in power envelope. It also includes integrated Radeon graphics, which the Intel part lacks entirely. For embedded systems where space, cooling, and power are at a premium, the AMD chip is the more practical selection. Its performance is within about 2% to 3% of the Intel part across all benchmarks, which is a remarkably small gap given the core count difference.

The release dates also matter. The Intel Xeon D-1587 launched in February 2016, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 launched in November 2020. The AMD part is a much newer design, built on a denser 7 nm process with more than triple the transistor count. The Intel part's launch MSRP was 1549, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The final recommendation depends on the use case. For a server or workstation where power is not a constraint and maximum thread count is desired, the Intel Xeon D-1587 is the better performer. For an embedded system where power efficiency, integrated graphics, and a modern architecture are priorities, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 is the better fit. The benchmarks show they are close in compute, but the surrounding specifications tell the real story of two very different design targets.