AMD A10-5800B vs AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G compare to the AMD A10-5800B in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Ryzen Embedded R1606G has an average benchmark score of 797, while the A10-5800B scores 794. This places the Ryzen part a marginal 0.4% ahead of the A10-5800B, according to the nearestRivals data. Both processors sit at the 21st percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are in the same performance tier.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-threaded performance?

A: The Ryzen Embedded R1606G demonstrates a clear single-thread advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 139, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 888. The A10-5800B has no direct single-core Cinebench scores in the data, but its Geekbench single-core score of 459 is well below what the Ryzen's architecture would produce, based on its relative performance in other tests.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each processor?

A: The Ryzen Embedded R1606G is a 2-core, 4-thread processor. The A10-5800B is a 4-core, 4-thread processor. This means the A10 has twice the physical core count, but neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading beyond what is listed.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Ryzen Embedded R1606G has a TDP of 25 watts, whereas the A10-5800B has a TDP of 100 watts. This is a substantial difference, indicating the Ryzen part is designed for significantly lower power consumption and heat output.

Q: What memory technologies do these processors support?

A: The Ryzen Embedded R1606G supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The A10-5800B supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a lower memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Ryzen Embedded R1606G is listed as "Active" in production status, with a release date of February 2020. The A10-5800B is listed as "End-of-life," with a release date of October 2012.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G and the AMD A10-5800B represent two very different eras of AMD processor design, and the architectural gap is stark. The Ryzen part is built on the Zen architecture, specifically the "Banded Kestrel" generation, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,500 million transistors on a 148 mm² die. In contrast, the A10-5800B uses the Piledriver architecture, part of the Trinity generation, on a much older 32 nm process node. It packs 1,303 million transistors on a larger 246 mm² die. The shift from 32 nm to 14 nm is not just a size reduction; it fundamentally changes the efficiency and performance characteristics of the chips.

The cache hierarchies are also distinct. The Ryzen Embedded R1606G features a per-core L1 cache of 96 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 512 KB, backed by a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The A10-5800B has a larger L1 cache at 192 KB total and a 4 MB shared L2 cache, but it has no L3 cache at all. This structural difference in cache placement — a fast per-core L2 with a shared L3 in the Ryzen versus a large shared L2 in the A10 — suggests that the newer part is better optimized for workloads that benefit from low-latency access to frequently used data.

Another key difference lies in the memory controllers. The Ryzen Embedded R1606G supports DDR4 memory, which is the modern standard, while the A10-5800B is limited to DDR3. The Ryzen's memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s eclipses the A10's 29.9 GB/s, providing a 28% theoretical bandwidth advantage. This is crucial for integrated graphics performance and memory-sensitive applications. The PCIe support also differs, with the Ryzen offering Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only) versus the A10's Gen 2, halving the potential I/O throughput.

The integrated graphics are another major differentiator. The Ryzen part uses Radeon Vega 3, while the A10 uses Radeon HD 7660D. The Vega architecture is significantly newer and, combined with faster DDR4 memory, is likely to deliver a much better experience for graphics tasks. The market segments also differ: the Ryzen is classified as a Mobile part with a TDP of 25 watts, whereas the A10 is a Desktop part with a TDP of 100 watts. This 75-watt gulf underscores the design philosophy of each chip — one is built for efficiency and compact systems, the other for raw power in a desktop environment with less concern for power draw.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

A direct comparison of benchmark scores between these two processors is challenging because the data present different test suites for each. The Ryzen Embedded R1606G has Cinebench R15 and R23 scores, while the A10-5800B only has Geekbench scores. However, using the average benchmark scores and the nearestRivals data, we can draw meaningful conclusions about their relative performance.

The most striking observation is how close these two processors are overall. The Ryzen Embedded R1606G has an average score of 797, and the A10-5800B sits just three points behind at 794. This is a negligible delta of 0.4% in favor of the Ryzen. The nearestRivals list for the A10-5800B even includes the Ryzen Embedded R1606G with a deltaPct of -0.3%, confirming that the two are effectively performance peers in aggregate. This is remarkable given that the A10 was released nearly eight years earlier and consumes four times the power.

Looking at the specific tests available, the Ryzen's Cinebench R23 multicore score is 1842, and its single-core score is 888. The A10's Geekbench multicore score is 1128, and its single-core score is 459. While these are different benchmarks, the single-core scores are telling. The Ryzen's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 888 indicates a strong per-thread performance that the A10's Geekbench score of 459 cannot match. This suggests that in lightly-threaded workloads, the Ryzen will have a significant advantage due to its modern Zen architecture and higher instructions-per-clock (IPC).

However, the A10 has a core-count advantage with 4 physical cores versus the Ryzen's 2. The A10's multicore Geekbench score of 1128, when compared to its single-core score of 459, shows a scaling factor of roughly 2.46x, which is less than ideal but indicates some benefit from the additional cores. The Ryzen's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 1842 versus its single-core score of 888 shows a scaling factor of about 2.07x, which is more typical for a 2-core/4-thread part. This means that in heavily parallel workloads that can utilize all four of the A10's cores, the older chip may be able to hold its own or even pull ahead, depending on the scaling efficiency.

The data shows no head-to-head benchmark entries, and the wins counter is zero for both processors. This means we must rely on the aggregate scores and the architectural evidence to make judgments. The Ryzen's advantage in single-threaded performance is clear, while the A10's advantage in raw core count is equally clear. The final verdict will depend on the specific workload.

The Verdict

The data paints a picture of two processors that achieve similar average performance through very different means. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G delivers modern efficiency and strong single-threaded performance from just 25 watts, while the AMD A10-5800B uses four older cores and a 100-watt power budget to reach a comparable average score. The 0.4% difference in average benchmark score is statistically insignificant, meaning neither chip is definitively faster overall.

For users upgrading from an older system or building a new low-power system, the Ryzen Embedded R1606G is the clear choice. Its 14 nm process, DDR4 support, and VEGA graphics represent a modern platform that will be more responsive in everyday tasks and far less demanding on cooling and power infrastructure. The 25-watt TDP is a massive advantage for compact or fanless designs. Its single-core performance, as evidenced by the Cinebench R23 score of 888, will make light and moderately threaded applications feel snappy.

For users with a legacy FM2 motherboard and DDR3 memory, the A10-5800B still offers a usable level of performance. Its four physical cores can help in multi-threaded scenarios where the Ryzen's two cores might struggle. In a specific case where a user has a workload that scales perfectly across four cores and does not require high single-thread speed, the A10 could actually outperform the Ryzen. However, this is a narrow use case, and the power consumption and lack of modern features like DDR4 and PCIe Gen 3 make it a difficult recommendation for any new build.

The production status is another decisive factor. The Ryzen is active and available, while the A10 is end-of-life. This means the Ryzen is a forward-looking investment with potential for longevity, while the A10 is a legacy part that may be difficult to source and will not receive any new platform support. The data suggests that the Ryzen Embedded R1606G is the superior choice for almost all modern use cases.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G and the AMD A10-5800B, based strictly on the FACT PACK:

• Cores: The Ryzen has 2 cores; the A10 has 4.
• Threads: The Ryzen has 4 threads; the A10 has 4 threads.
• Base Clock: The Ryzen runs at 2.60 GHz; the A10 runs at 3.80 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The Ryzen boosts to 3.50 GHz; the A10 boosts to 4.20 GHz.
• TDP: The Ryzen is rated at 25 watts; the A10 is rated at 100 watts.
• Socket: The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP5; the A10 uses AMD Socket FM2.
• Architecture: The Ryzen uses Zen; the A10 uses Piledriver.
• Codename: The Ryzen is "Zen"; the A10 is "Trinity".
• Generation: The Ryzen is "Ryzen Embedded (Zen (Banded Kestrel))"; the A10 is "A10 (Trinity)".
• Process Node: The Ryzen is built on 14 nm; the A10 is built on 32 nm.
• Transistors: The Ryzen has 3,500 million; the A10 has 1,303 million.
• Die Size: The Ryzen has a 148 mm² die; the A10 has a 246 mm² die.
• L1 Cache: The Ryzen has 96 KB per core; the A10 has 192 KB total.
• L2 Cache: The Ryzen has 512 KB per core; the A10 has 4 MB shared.
• L3 Cache: The Ryzen has 4 MB shared; the A10 has none.
• Memory Support: The Ryzen supports DDR4; the A10 supports DDR3.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Ryzen has 38.4 GB/s; the A10 has 29.9 GB/s.
• PCIe: The Ryzen supports Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only); the A10 supports Gen 2.
• Integrated Graphics: The Ryzen has Radeon Vega 3; the A10 has Radeon HD 7660D.
• Market Segment: The Ryzen is Mobile; the A10 is Desktop.
• Production Status: The Ryzen is Active; the A10 is End-of-life.
• Release Date: The Ryzen was released on 2020-02-24; the A10 on 2012-10-01.
• Part Number: The Ryzen is YE1606C4T2OFG; the A10 is AD580BWOA44HJ.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G: The Ryzen wins decisively in any scenario where power consumption is a primary concern. The 25-watt TDP versus the A10's 100 watts means the Ryzen can be used in passively cooled systems, mini-PCs, and embedded applications where heat and noise are critical. Its modern Zen architecture delivers superior single-threaded performance, as evidenced by the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 888, making it the winner in web browsing, office productivity, and general system responsiveness. The support for DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 29.9 GB/s) gives it an edge in memory-intensive tasks and integrated graphics performance. The Radeon Vega 3 graphics, while not high-end, are built on a much newer architecture than the Radeon HD 7660D and will handle modern video decoding and light gaming better. The Ryzen also wins on platform longevity, given its active production status and support for PCIe Gen 3.

AMD A10-5800B: The A10 wins in multi-threaded workloads that can fully utilize its four physical cores. While the average benchmark scores are nearly identical, the A10's architecture is designed to scale with core count, and in a perfectly parallelized application, it has the potential to outpace the Ryzen's two cores. The high base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz give it an advantage in tasks that are sensitive to raw clock speed rather than IPC. For users who already own an FM2 motherboard and DDR3 memory, the A10 represents a zero-cost upgrade path, and its desktop market segment means it may be more readily available in standard ATX form factors. The larger L2 cache of 4 MB shared could also benefit certain workloads that repeatedly access a working set that fits within that cache, though the lack of an L3 cache limits its overall cache capacity. In legacy applications that were designed for the Piledriver architecture, the A10 may show fewer compatibility issues than a newer processor.