AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 vs Intel Core i3-4130 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusually close contest between two processors from very different eras and market segments. The Intel Core i3-4130, a 2013 desktop part, wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, yet the margins are remarkably slim. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600, a 2020 mobile-oriented part, trails by only 1.7% to 1.8% across all five Cinebench tests. For raw compute throughput, the Intel Core i3-4130 is the pick, as it leads in every recorded workload. However, the Ryzen Embedded R1600 counters with a dramatically lower TDP of 25 watts versus 54 watts, plus support for DDR4 memory and ECC. The data suggests that buyers needing maximum Cinebench scores should choose the Intel part, while those prioritizing energy efficiency, modern memory support, and error-correcting memory should select the AMD part. The Ryzen Embedded R1600 delivers nearly identical performance at less than half the power envelope, which makes it the more balanced engineering choice for embedded or always-on systems.

Architecture Differences

These two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies separated by nearly seven years of semiconductor evolution. The Intel Core i3-4130 uses the Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process node with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses the Zen architecture, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm node with a smaller die size of 148 mm² but a substantially higher transistor count of 3,500 million. That transistor density advantage reflects the newer manufacturing process and the more complex Zen microarchitecture.

Both parts have 2 physical cores and 4 threads, so the threading model is identical. Cache hierarchies differ in meaningful ways. The Intel part provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part provides a larger 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor therefore holds an advantage in every level of cache capacity, which helps explain how it keeps pace with the higher-clocked Intel part.

Memory support diverges significantly. The Intel Core i3-4130 supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, with no ECC capability. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support. The AMD part also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers PCIe Gen 3 without a listed lane count. The Intel processor includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4400, whereas the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has no integrated graphics listed.

Clock speeds tell a critical part of the story. The Intel Core i3-4130 runs at a fixed base clock of 3.40 GHz with no boost clock recorded. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 runs at a 2.60 GHz base clock but boosts up to 3.10 GHz. Despite the 0.30 GHz deficit at base and 0.30 GHz deficit even at boost, the AMD part nearly matches the Intel part in every benchmark, which points to the Zen architecture's superior instructions-per-clock efficiency and larger cache hierarchy.

The market positioning also differs. The Intel part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1150, while the AMD part is designed for mobile on AMD Socket FP5. Both are listed as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results in the database show a consistent but narrow pattern of Intel victories. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i3-4130 scores 285 against the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600's 280, a delta of 1.8%. That 5-point gap is within the range of run-to-run variance for many systems, but the database records it as a win for Intel.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows the same story with a 1.7% delta. The Intel part scores 1189, while the AMD part scores 1169, a 20-point difference. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the Intel part scores 168 versus 165, again a 1.8% delta. The single-core results are particularly telling because the Intel part's 3.40 GHz fixed clock is only 0.30 GHz higher than the AMD part's 3.10 GHz boost clock, yet the performance advantage is the same 1.8% as in multicore workloads.

Cinebench R23 multicore delivers the largest absolute gap in the dataset. The Intel Core i3-4130 scores 2833, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 scores 2784, a 49-point difference. The delta remains 1.8%. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Intel part scores 400 versus 393, a 7-point difference and again a 1.8% delta.

The consistency of the 1.8% delta across every test is notable. It suggests that the performance relationship between these two processors is stable regardless of workload type, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, and regardless of the Cinebench version used. The Intel part wins all 5 head-to-head benchmarks, but the AMD part never falls behind by more than 1.8%, which is a remarkably tight margin for a processor with a 0.30 GHz clock disadvantage.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this picture. The Intel Core i3-4130 has an average benchmark score of 975, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has an average of 958. That is a 1.8% difference in average score, consistent with the individual head-to-head results. Both processors sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier relative to the broader market.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields in the database.

• Manufacturer: Intel for the i3-4130, AMD for the Ryzen Embedded R1600.
• Series: The AMD part belongs to the 1000 series; no series is listed for the Intel part.
• Base clock: Intel runs at 3.40 GHz; AMD runs at 2.60 GHz.
• Boost clock: Intel has no recorded boost clock; AMD boosts to 3.10 GHz.
• TDP: Intel is rated at 54 watts; AMD is rated at 25 watts.
• Socket: Intel uses Socket 1150; AMD uses Socket FP5.
• Process node: Intel uses 22 nm; AMD uses 14 nm.
• Foundry: Intel uses its own foundry; AMD uses GlobalFoundries.
• Transistors: Intel has 1,400 million; AMD has 3,500 million.
• Die size: Intel is 177 mm²; AMD is 148 mm².
• L1 cache: Intel has 64 KB per core; AMD has 96 KB per core.
• L2 cache: Intel has 256 KB per core; AMD has 512 KB per core.
• L3 cache: Intel has 3 MB shared; AMD has 4 MB shared.
• Memory support: Intel uses DDR3; AMD uses DDR4.
• Memory bandwidth: Intel has no recorded figure; AMD has 38.4 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Intel does not support it; AMD supports it.
• PCIe: Both are Gen 3, but AMD specifies 8 lanes (CPU only) while Intel lists no lane count.
• Integrated graphics: Intel has Intel HD 4400; AMD has none listed.
• Market segment: Intel is Desktop; AMD is Mobile.
• Release date: Intel released on 2013-08-31; AMD released on 2020-02-24.
• Part number: Intel is SR1NP; AMD is YE1600C4T2OFG.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 has an average benchmark score of 975, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has an average of 958, a difference of 1.8%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600. The Intel Core i3-4130 does not list ECC support.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 wins in both recorded single-core tests. It scores 168 in Cinebench R20 singlecore versus 165 for the AMD part, and 400 in Cinebench R23 singlecore versus 393, a 1.8% delta in both cases.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and supports DDR4 memory. The Intel Core i3-4130 supports DDR3 memory but has no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 is rated at 25 watts, while the Intel Core i3-4130 is rated at 54 watts. The AMD part consumes less than half the power of the Intel part.

Q: How many cores and threads do both processors have?

A: Both the Intel Core i3-4130 and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the cache configuration difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3, giving the AMD part more cache at every level.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-4130 includes Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has no integrated graphics listed in the database.