AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 vs Intel Core i7-5500U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 and the Intel Core i7-5500U are both dual-core, four-thread mobile processors, but they target different eras and priorities. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy: the AMD chip wins every single head-to-head benchmark, with margins ranging from 16.7% to 17%. However, the Intel part is the only one with integrated graphics and a lower 15 W TDP, making it a different kind of mobile solution. The Ryzen R1600 is the faster CPU in raw compute, while the i7-5500U offers a more complete, power-efficient package for its generation.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 wins all five head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-5500U. In multi-core workloads, the lead is consistent: 16.7% in Cinebench R15 (280 vs. 240), 16.9% in Cinebench R20 (1169 vs. 1000), and 16.9% in Cinebench R23 (2784 vs. 2381). Single-core performance tells the same story, with the AMD part ahead by 17% in both Cinebench R20 (165 vs. 141) and Cinebench R23 (393 vs. 336). The average benchmark score slightly favors AMD as well, at 958 versus 953.

The AMD processor is the pick for anyone prioritizing compute performance in a small, embedded or mobile form factor. Its 26th percentile ranking versus all CPUs and its nearest rivals—the AMD Opteron 4386 and Intel Core i7-950, both at an average score of 957—show it sits in a specific performance tier. The Intel i7-5500U, ranking at the 25th percentile, is essentially neck-and-neck in overall average score but loses every direct test. The Intel part’s sole advantages are its integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics and its 15 W TDP, which is lower than the AMD chip’s 25 W. For a system that needs a GPU without a discrete card, or where power draw is the absolute priority, the Intel chip remains relevant. For raw CPU throughput, the AMD R1600 is the clear winner.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 280 vs. 240 in Cinebench R15, 1169 vs. 1000 in Cinebench R20, and 2784 vs. 2381 in Cinebench R23, representing a 16.7% to 16.9% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-5500U have any performance advantage?

A: No. The Intel chip loses all five head-to-head benchmarks. Its average benchmark score is 953, slightly lower than the AMD’s 958.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-5500U has integrated graphics, featuring the Intel HD 5500. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: How do their power requirements differ?

A: The Intel Core i7-5500U has a TDP of 15 W, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has a TDP of 25 W.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-5500U supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are these processors comparable in their production status?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 is listed as "Active" production, with a release date in February 2020. The Intel Core i7-5500U is "End-of-life," with a release date in February 2015.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 is built on the Zen architecture, using a 14 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It packs 3,500 million transistors on a 148 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-5500U is based on the Broadwell architecture (specifically Broadwell-U), also using a 14 nm process node, but from Intel’s own foundry. Intel’s chip uses 1,300 million transistors on a much smaller 82 mm² die.

Cache layouts also differ. The AMD part allocates 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The Intel part has smaller per-core allocations, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but matches the AMD chip with a shared 4 MB L3 cache. This difference in per-core cache could influence how each processor handles memory-intensive tasks.

Memory support is a major architectural split. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 supports DDR4 memory and includes ECC support, a feature absent from the Intel part. The Intel Core i7-5500U is limited to DDR3 memory. The AMD chip’s memory bandwidth is significantly higher at 38.4 GB/s compared to Intel’s 25.6 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while Intel offers PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes. The newer PCIe generation on the AMD side provides a potential bandwidth advantage for peripherals, despite fewer lanes.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several key differences beyond performance. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. The Intel Core i7-5500U has a lower base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The AMD chip’s higher clocks likely contribute to its benchmark wins.

Power consumption is a notable divergence. The AMD part has a TDP of 25 W, while the Intel part is rated at 15 W. This makes the Intel chip more power-efficient on paper, a critical factor for battery-powered devices. The Intel part also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 5500), whereas the AMD part lists none, meaning the AMD chip requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Socket compatibility is entirely different: the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1168. The AMD part is currently in active production, while the Intel part is end-of-life. The Intel part’s launch MSRP was $393. Neither multiplier is unlocked, so overclocking is not an option for either. The AMD part’s part number is YE1600C4T2OFG, and the Intel part’s is SR23W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data provides a clean, decisive picture. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 wins every single test, with no wins for the Intel Core i7-5500U. The margins are remarkably consistent across different Cinebench versions, suggesting a stable performance gap.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 280 against Intel’s 240, a 16.7% advantage. This test is older but still relevant for legacy software comparisons. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD part scores 1169 versus 1000, a 16.9% lead. The consistency continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD scores 2784 against 2381, again a 16.9% delta.

Single-core performance follows the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD chip scores 165 versus Intel’s 141, a 17% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows AMD at 393 and Intel at 336, also a 17% delta. This single-core advantage is particularly significant, as it indicates the AMD architecture is more efficient per thread, not just in multi-threaded scenarios.

The Intel chip does have additional benchmark data not available for the AMD part: Geekbench scores of 1689 multi-core and 881 single-core. However, without a direct AMD comparison in that specific test, the Cinebench results remain the primary basis for comparison. The overall average benchmark scores—958 for AMD and 953 for Intel—reinforce the head-to-head results, showing a slight but consistent edge for the AMD processor across its entire benchmark profile. The AMD chip’s nearest rivals (AMD Opteron 4386 and Intel Core i7-950, both at 957) and the Intel chip’s nearest rivals (Intel Xeon W3570 and Intel Celeron N5105, both at 955) show both processors are positioned in a similar overall performance tier, but the direct comparison leaves no doubt about the winner.