AMD Ryzen 3 4100 vs AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 outperforms the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 in every single head-to-head test, despite having fewer cores and threads. The Ryzen 3 4100 wins all 17 recorded comparisons, with its largest advantage coming in single-threaded PassMark tests where it leads by 57.3%. This is a decisive victory driven by higher clock speeds and a desktop-oriented design, while the Embedded V2546 counters with lower power consumption, ECC memory support, and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 3 4100 dominates across every benchmark category, with the widest gaps appearing in single-core workloads. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Ryzen 3 4100 scores 2531 against the V2546's 1609, a 57.3% delta that reflects the 4100's 3.80 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost clocks versus the V2546's 3.00 GHz base and 3.95 GHz boost. Cinebench single-core results tell a similar story: the 4100 leads by 14.7% in R15 (133 vs 116), 14.4% in R20 (556 vs 486), and 14.5% in R23 (1326 vs 1158). These consistent margins indicate the 4100's architectural efficiency is not a fluke but a fundamental advantage.

Multi-core performance is closer but still favors the 4100 decisively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 4100 scores 9394 versus 8207, a 14.5% lead. The pattern repeats in R20 (3945 vs 3446, +14.5%) and R15 (946 vs 827, +14.4%). This is notable because the V2546 has 6 cores and 12 threads against the 4100's 4 cores and 8 threads — the 4100's higher clocks and better per-core efficiency overcome the V2546's two-core advantage. PassMark multithread confirms this: 11050 vs 9656, a 14.4% win for the 4100.

The largest single delta outside of single-thread tests comes in PassMark physics, where the 4100 scores 563 against 441, a 27.7% advantage. This suggests the 4100 handles complex simulation workloads far better. Other notable wins include data encryption (9133 vs 8046, +13.5%), random string sorting (15760 vs 13926, +13.2%), and extended instructions (9923 vs 8799, +12.8%). Even in the closest tests, the 4100 maintains a lead: floating point math (19128 vs 18534, +3.2%) and find prime numbers (23 vs 22, +4.5%). The V2546 never wins a single comparison.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Zen 2 architecture and share the Renoir codename, manufactured on TSMC's 7 nm process with 9,800 million transistors and a 156 mm² die size. They also share identical cache layouts: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The core counts differ, with the 4100 offering 4 cores and 8 threads versus the V2546's 6 cores and 12 threads. However, the 4100 compensates with a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, and a boost of 4.00 GHz versus 3.95 GHz.

The most significant architectural divergence is in platform features. The Ryzen 3 4100 uses AMD Socket AM4 with 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the V2546 uses AMD Socket FP6 with 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The V2546 also includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors, whereas the 4100 has no integrated graphics. Memory support is identical in type (DDR4, dual-channel, 51.2 GB/s bandwidth), but the V2546 adds ECC memory support, which the 4100 lacks. TDP is dramatically different: the 4100 draws 65 W, while the V2546 is rated at 35 W. The 4100 has an unlocked multiplier, while the V2546 is locked. The 4100 launched on April 3, 2022, with a launch MSRP of $99; the V2546 was released on November 9, 2020, with no MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 wins every single-core benchmark, with a 57.3% lead in PassMark single-thread (2531 vs 1609) and 14.5% leads in Cinebench R23 single-core (1326 vs 1158).

Q: Does the Ryzen Embedded V2546 ever outperform the Ryzen 3 4100?

A: No. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the Ryzen 3 4100 wins every test. The V2546's closest result is PassMark find prime numbers, where it trails by only 4.5% (22 vs 23).

Q: How does core count affect the comparison?

A: The V2546 has 6 cores and 12 threads versus the 4100's 4 cores and 8 threads, yet the 4100 still wins multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 4100 scores 9394 against 8207, a 14.5% margin.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Ryzen Embedded V2546 is rated at 35 W. This makes the V2546 significantly more power-efficient, though the 4100 offers higher performance.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 3 4100 does not list ECC as a feature.

Q: Do both CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: No. The V2546 includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors, while the 4100 has no integrated graphics at all.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 4100 | AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.95 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| PCIe Lanes (CPU only) | 8 lanes Gen 3 | 20 lanes Gen 3 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Graphics 384SP |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2022-04-03 | 2020-11-09 |

| Launch MSRP | $99 | None |

| Part Number | 100-000000510100-100000510BOX | 100-000000246 |

The Verdict

The data supports only one conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is the superior processor for performance-focused applications. It wins 100% of the head-to-head benchmarks, including multi-core tests where its 4 cores/8 threads beat the V2546's 6 cores/12 threads by 14.4% in PassMark multithread and 14.5% in Cinebench R23. The 4100's 3.80 GHz base clock and 4.00 GHz boost clock are the primary drivers, enabling a 57.3% single-thread advantage that is impossible for the V2546 to overcome despite its extra cores. The 4100 also benefits from an unlocked multiplier, allowing further overclocking potential, and a newer release date (2022 vs 2020). Its launch MSRP is $99.

The Ryzen Embedded V2546 is not without merit, but its advantages are platform-specific rather than performance-based. Its 35 W TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the 4100's 65 W, and it offers ECC memory support, integrated Radeon Graphics with 384 shaders, and 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 8. These features target embedded and industrial use cases where reliability, power draw, and connectivity matter more than raw speed. For a desktop user prioritizing performance, the 4100 is the clear choice; for an embedded system requiring ECC, integrated graphics, and low power, the V2546 is the appropriate pick.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 3 4100 wins in: every performance benchmark recorded. This includes all Cinebench R15/R20/R23 multi-core and single-core tests, with deltas ranging from 14.4% to 14.7%. It also wins all PassMark tests, with the most extreme being single-thread (57.3% ahead), physics (27.7% ahead), and data encryption (13.5% ahead). The 4100 is ideal for desktop workloads like content creation, software compilation, and any task where per-core speed and high clock rates are critical. Its unlocked multiplier adds overclocking headroom for users seeking even more performance.

AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 wins in: platform flexibility and efficiency, not benchmark scores. Its 35 W TDP is nearly half the 4100's 65 W, making it suitable for passively cooled or power-constrained embedded systems. ECC memory support ensures data integrity in server-like or industrial environments. The integrated Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks. The 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide substantially more connectivity for peripherals, NVMe storage, or expansion cards compared to the 4100's 8 lanes. These features make the V2546 the better choice for embedded, edge-computing, or always-on systems where performance is secondary to reliability, power, and I/O.