AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U and Intel Core 5 330 target mobile systems but approach them from opposite architectural directions. The AMD part is an 8-core, 16-thread Zen 4 design with a 5.10 GHz boost, while the Intel part is a 6-core, 6-thread Wildcat Lake chip with a 4.60 GHz boost. Benchmark data for the Intel Core 5 330 places it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 18,345, putting it just 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i3-14100 and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core 3 305, while trailing the Intel Core 7 360 and Intel Core i3-13100 by 0.2%. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so direct numerical comparisons rely entirely on the Intel part's measured results and the architectural differences between the two.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 330 wins in every recorded benchmark category because the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has no benchmark entries in the database. The Intel part's scores define its strengths: in Cinebench R23 multicore it reaches 13,150 points, in R20 multicore it hits 5,523, and in R15 multicore it scores 1,325. Single-core results are 1,856 in Cinebench R23, 779 in R20, and 186 in R15. PassMark tests show a multithread score of 15,471, a single-thread score of 4,088, and strong auxiliary results such as 145,287 in data compression, 43,885 in floating point math, and 33,258 in integer math. The Ryzen part's lack of data means the use-case split is one-sided: the Intel Core 5 330 is the only chip with measurable wins.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U instead claims advantages through its specification sheet. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads, a 3.30 GHz base clock against 1.50 GHz, and a 5.10 GHz boost against 4.60 GHz. It also carries 16 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB, dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth versus single-channel with 59.7 GB/s, and ECC memory support that the Intel part lacks. These are structural wins for workloads that scale with core count, memory bandwidth, or data integrity, even though no benchmark scores confirm them.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process with a 178 mm² die size and 25,000 million transistors, built on the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename. Intel uses its own 3 nm process with Wildcat Lake codename, and the database records no transistor count or die size for it. The process node difference (4 nm versus 3 nm) gives Intel a manufacturing density edge on paper, but the AMD part's larger transistor budget supports its higher core count.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 5 330 lists L1 at 192 KB total, L2 at 2.5 MB total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's per-core L2 and larger shared L3 favor workloads with repeated data access across threads, while the Intel chip's consolidated cache layout serves its lower thread count.

Memory support splits the two clearly. AMD supports DDR5 only, dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, single-channel, with 59.7 GB/s and no ECC. The AMD part's dual-channel bus delivers 50% more theoretical bandwidth (89.6 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s), and ECC support makes it suitable for error-sensitive embedded workloads. Intel's LPDDR5X option adds flexibility for low-power designs but at half the memory channels.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core 5 330 provides Gen 4 with only 6 lanes. That lane count difference matters for systems driving multiple NVMe drives, capture cards, or other Gen 4 peripherals directly off the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon 780M graphics, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database records no graphics benchmarks for either, so the comparison rests on the architectural distinction: Radeon 780M is a high-end integrated solution in AMD's lineup, whereas Intel's Xe3 with 2 Xe cores is a lower-tier configuration.

Release timing and target segments also diverge. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U launched on 2024-04-01 as part of the 8000 series, while the Intel Core 5 330 launched on 2026-04-15 under the Core 5 branding. Both are classified as mobile segments and both are active production parts. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $309, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on what the buyer prioritizes. The Intel Core 5 330 is the only one with measured performance, and its scores place it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. It trades at 0.1% to 0.2% around the Intel Core i3-14100, Core 7 360, Core i3-13100, and Core 3 305. That is a competent mid-range mobile chip for general use, and its 15 W TDP is lower than the AMD part's 28 W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U should be chosen when the workload demands more cores, threads, memory bandwidth, or ECC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads, dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s versus single-channel at 59.7 GB/s, and ECC support. It also offers 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus 6, which makes it the stronger choice for systems with many peripherals. Its 4 nm TSMC process and 25,000 million transistors indicate a more complex design, but without benchmark scores the database cannot confirm real-world performance.

For a system where measured performance is the only criterion, the Intel Core 5 330 is the documented choice. For a system where core count, memory bandwidth, ECC, and PCIe lane count define the requirements, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has the specification advantage. The absence of AMD benchmark data means the verdict relies on architecture, not results.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has a 3.30 GHz base clock and a 5.10 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core 5 330 has a 1.50 GHz base clock and a 4.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 does not.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 330 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the Intel Core 5 330's Cinebench R23 scores?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 13,150 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 1,856 in Cinebench R23 singlecore.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 330 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: Its average score of 18,345 is 0.1% above the Intel Core i3-14100 and 0.2% above the Intel Core 3 305, and 0.2% below the Intel Core 7 360 and the Intel Core i3-13100.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head comparisons are impossible because the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has no benchmark entries in the database. The Intel Core 5 330's measured results stand alone. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 13,150 and singlecore score of 1,856 represent the only recorded performance data. In Cinebench R20, the multicore score drops to 5,523 and singlecore to 779, while R15 shows 1,325 multicore and 186 singlecore. PassMark multithread reaches 15,471, and single-thread reaches 4,088. The auxiliary PassMark tests show data compression at 145,287, data encryption at 11,076, extended instructions at 12,808, find prime numbers at 114, floating point math at 43,885, integer math at 33,258, physics at 1,201, and random string sorting at 17,771.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U has no recorded scores, so its wins are architectural. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration with 16 MB of shared L3 and dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s offers a structural advantage for heavily threaded workloads. The Intel Core 5 330, with 6 cores, 6 threads, 6 MB of shared L3, and single-channel memory at 59.7 GB/s, cannot match that theoretical throughput. The Intel part's 4.60 GHz boost clock trails the AMD part's 5.10 GHz boost, which suggests a single-thread deficit on paper, though the Intel chip's 3 nm process and Wildcat Lake architecture may compensate in ways the database cannot quantify.

The percentile data adds context. The Intel Core 5 330 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, which is a solid mid-range position. Its nearest rivals are all within 0.2%, meaning the chip is tightly grouped with the Intel Core i3-14100, Core 7 360, Core i3-13100, and Core 3 305. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U sits at the 50th percentile with no average score, which reflects the absence of data rather than a performance judgment.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ across nearly every recorded specification. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8840U uses 8 cores and 16 threads; the Intel Core 5 330 uses 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.10 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. TDP is 28 W for AMD and 15 W for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel BGA 1516.

Process and design details separate them further. AMD uses a 4 nm TSMC process with 25,000 million transistors and a 178 mm² die size. Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry, with no transistor count or die size recorded. Cache layouts diverge: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory and I/O favor AMD. AMD supports DDR5 dual-channel at 89.6 GB/s with ECC; Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel at 59.7 GB/s without ECC. PCIe lanes are 20 Gen 4 for AMD versus 6 Gen 4 for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 780M for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores for Intel. Release dates are 2024-04-01 for AMD and 2026-04-15 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309; the AMD part has none recorded. The AMD chip is unlocked false, the Intel chip is unlocked false, and neither has a known multiplier unlock. Part numbers differ: unknown for AMD, SAE3G for Intel.