Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Xeon E5-1660

Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Xeon E5-1660 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen Embedded R2544

4 / 8

8,486

+1.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

Xeon E5-1660

6 / 12

8,324

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Xeon E5-1660 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Xeon E5-1660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen Embedded R2544

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $800 less on MSRP ($280 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 293.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.3 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($280 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+275% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,324 vs 8,486).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 30.3 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $280 MSRP).
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Embedded R2544 better than Xeon E5-1660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen Embedded R2544 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Embedded R2544 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Embedded R2544 is the better buy right now. Ryzen Embedded R2544 comes in $800 cheaper on MSRP at $280 MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 293.2% better value on MSRP (30.3 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Embedded R2544 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Ryzen Embedded R2544

The Ryzen Embedded R2544 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.35 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,486 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen Embedded R2544 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen Embedded R2544 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 (base: 3.35 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Ryzen Embedded R2544 uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Embedded R2544 scores 8,486 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 1.9% lead for the Ryzen Embedded R2544. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Ryzen Embedded R2544	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.35 GHz+2%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+275%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	12 nm-63%	32 nm
Architecture	Picasso (2019−2022)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,486+2%	8,324

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen Embedded R2544 uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen Embedded R2544	Xeon E5-1660
Socket	FP5	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen Embedded R2544 was priced at $280, while the Xeon E5-1660 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($280 vs $1080), Ryzen Embedded R2544 was $800 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Embedded R2544 delivers 30.3 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 — making the Ryzen Embedded R2544 the 118.9% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen Embedded R2544	Xeon E5-1660
MSRP	$280-74%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	30.3+294%	7.7
Release Date	2022	2012

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