AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS vs AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS are two processors that land in the same performance tier but are built for different environments. The data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 5 4600HS wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, while the V3C18I offers a feature set aimed at embedded and industrial use cases. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and specification gaps to help determine which processor fits which role.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark suite shows a decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS, which wins all six head-to-head tests. The margins are consistent, ranging from a 3.2% advantage in multi-core tests to a 3.5% lead in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. The 4600HS posts scores of 1226 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 5111 in R20 multi-core, and 12171 in R23 multi-core, while the V3C18I trails with 1187, 4946, and 11777 respectively. Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the 4600HS reaching 173 in R15, 721 in R20, and 1718 in R23, compared to the V3C18I’s 167, 698, and 1662.

The V3C18I’s only advantage lies outside raw compute performance. It is the newer part, released on 2022-09-26 versus 2020-01-05 for the 4600HS, and it brings a newer architecture (Zen 3+ versus Zen 2) and a smaller process node (6 nm versus 7 nm). The V3C18I also supports ECC memory and DDR5, while the 4600HS does not. These features do not appear in the benchmark scores but matter for reliability and memory bandwidth in embedded systems.

The average benchmark scores place both processors at the 54th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall performance. The V3C18I averages 3406, while the 4600HS averages 3444. The nearest rivals for the V3C18I include the Intel Xeon E-2236 (average 3410, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U (average 3394, delta 0.4%). For the 4600HS, the closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS (average 3447, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-5960X (average 3442, delta 0%).

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is the faster processor in every measured test. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with the largest margin being 3.5% in single-core performance. If raw compute throughput is the sole criterion, the 4600HS is the clear choice. The 4600HS also has a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 1.90 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.80 GHz), which contributes to its performance advantage.

However, the V3C18I is not without its own merits. It is built on a newer architecture (Zen 3+ versus Zen 2) and a smaller process node (6 nm versus 7 nm), which suggests better power efficiency per clock. Its 15 W TDP is less than half of the 4600HS’s 35 W TDP, making it more suitable for thermally constrained embedded environments. The V3C18I also supports ECC memory and DDR5, which are critical for error-correcting workloads and higher memory bandwidth (76.8 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s).

The choice comes down to use case. For a standard mobile or desktop workload where performance is the priority, the 4600HS is the better option. For an embedded system that demands ECC memory, DDR5 support, and lower power consumption, the V3C18I is the more appropriate processor despite its slightly lower benchmark scores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniform: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS wins every test, but the margins are narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 4600HS scores 1226 against the V3C18I’s 1187, a 3.2% difference. The single-core R15 test shows a 3.5% lead for the 4600HS (173 versus 167). The R20 multi-core test follows the same pattern, with the 4600HS at 5111 and the V3C18I at 4946, again a 3.2% gap. Single-core R20 is 721 versus 698, also a 3.2% difference.

The R23 multi-core test is the largest absolute gap, with the 4600HS scoring 12171 and the V3C18I scoring 11777, a 3.2% delta. The R23 single-core test shows 1718 versus 1662, a 3.3% difference. These consistent margins suggest that the performance gap is uniform across both single- and multi-threaded workloads, likely due to the 4600HS’s higher clock speeds (3.00 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost versus 1.90 GHz and 3.80 GHz). The V3C18I has 8 cores and 16 threads versus the 4600HS’s 6 cores and 12 threads, but the higher clocks of the 4600HS compensate for the core deficit.

The 4600HS also has additional Geekbench results not available for the V3C18I, scoring 5135 in multi-core and 1293 in single-core. These scores reinforce its position as the stronger all-around performer, though they are not part of the direct head-to-head comparison.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 1226 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 5111 in R20 multi-core, and 12171 in R23 multi-core, outperforming the V3C18I by 3.2% in each test.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I have any performance advantage?

A: No, the V3C18I does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. The 4600HS wins all six tests, with margins ranging from 3.2% to 3.5%.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between the two processors?

A: The V3C18I uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm process node, while the 4600HS uses Zen 2 on a 7 nm node. The V3C18I has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the 4600HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. The V3C18I also has 16 MB of shared L3 cache versus 8 MB on the 4600HS.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS does not. This makes the V3C18I more suitable for error-sensitive embedded workloads.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 4600HS has an average benchmark score of 3444, while the V3C18I averages 3406. Both sit at the 54th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the V3C18I’s 3.80 GHz. The 4600HS also has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 1.90 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of AMD’s design philosophy. The V3C18I is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, while the 4600HS uses the older Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir. This architectural gap is significant: Zen 3+ offers IPC improvements over Zen 2, but the V3C18I’s lower clock speeds negate that advantage in the benchmark results.

The process node also differs, with the V3C18I manufactured on a 6 nm node by TSMC, while the 4600HS uses a 7 nm node. This smaller node likely contributes to the V3C18I’s lower 15 W TDP, which is less than half of the 4600HS’s 35 W TDP. The V3C18I also has more cores (8 versus 6) and more threads (16 versus 12), which should theoretically benefit multi-threaded workloads, but the 4600HS’s higher clocks (3.00 GHz base, 4.00 GHz boost versus 1.90 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) overcome this advantage.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but the V3C18I has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 8 MB found on the 4600HS. The V3C18I also supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the 4600HS uses DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is exclusive to the V3C18I, as is PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 4600HS uses PCIe Gen 3.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is core count: the V3C18I has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the 4600HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with the 4600HS running at 3.00 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, compared to the V3C18I’s 1.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The TDP is a major differentiator, with the V3C18I rated at 15 W and the 4600HS at 35 W.

Memory support is another key difference. The V3C18I supports DDR5 with ECC, while the 4600HS supports DDR4 without ECC. Memory bandwidth is higher on the V3C18I at 76.8 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s. PCIe support also differs: the V3C18I offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 4600HS offers Gen 3.

The socket types are different, with the V3C18I using AMD Socket FP7 and the 4600HS using AMD Socket FP6. The V3C18I has an integrated graphics controller listed as null, while the 4600HS includes a Radeon RX Vega 6 GPU. The V3C18I is classified as a Desktop processor, while the 4600HS is classified as Mobile. Release dates are also distinct, with the V3C18I launching on 2022-09-26 and the 4600HS on 2020-01-05. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.