AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G vs Intel Core i7-5550U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two processors, with each taking decisive victories in different workloads. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G wins the head-to-head count 2 to 1, but the Intel Core i7-5550U claims the most recent and demanding multi-core test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G scores 317 against the Intel Core i7-5550U's 238. That is a 24.9% advantage for the AMD part, a substantial margin in a legacy rendering workload. The Ryzen's higher base clock of 2.60 GHz and boost clock of 3.50 GHz, versus 2.00 GHz and 3.00 GHz respectively, likely contribute to this result.

The newer Cinebench R23 multicore test flips the outcome entirely. The Intel Core i7-5550U scores 2363, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G manages 1842. The Intel part leads by 28.3%, a significant reversal from the R15 result. This suggests the Broadwell architecture handles the R23 workload's scaling characteristics more effectively than the Zen-based Ryzen, despite the latter's clock speed advantage.

Single-core performance strongly favors the AMD chip. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Ryzen Embedded R1606G posts 888 points against the Intel's 333. That is a 62.5% gap, the largest margin in any benchmark in this comparison. The Ryzen's 3.50 GHz boost clock and newer Zen core design deliver a commanding lead in lightly threaded tasks.

Looking at aggregate scores, the Intel Core i7-5550U has an average benchmark score of 813, slightly above the Ryzen's 797. The Intel part sits at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD chip sits at the 21st percentile. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 at 813 (0% delta) and the Intel Xeon X3440 at 815 (-0.2%). The Ryzen's closest competitors are the AMD A10-7850K at 796 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 at 801 (-0.5% delta).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G is the clear winner for single-threaded performance and legacy multi-core rendering. Its 62.5% lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore makes it the obvious choice for applications that rely heavily on one core, such as older software, some emulation workloads, and lightly threaded productivity tasks. Its 24.9% advantage in Cinebench R15 multicore also shows strength in older rendering engines that do not scale well across many threads.

The Intel Core i7-5550U wins in the modern multi-core test. Its 28.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore suggests it handles contemporary rendering workloads that utilize both cores and four threads more efficiently. This is notable because the Intel part has a lower base clock and boost clock than the AMD chip, yet still outperforms it in this specific test.

The data indicates the Intel part is the better choice for users running current multi-threaded rendering applications. The AMD part is superior for single-threaded performance and legacy multi-threaded workloads. The Intel chip also has a slightly higher average benchmark score (813 vs 797) and a marginally better percentile ranking (22nd vs 21st), though these differences are within the noise of the nearest rival comparisons.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The Intel Core i7-5550U uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-U, built on a 14 nm process by Intel. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Banded Kestrel, also built on a 14 nm process but by GlobalFoundries. Both use 14 nm technology, so the process node is identical, but the transistor counts differ substantially.

Intel's Broadwell chip packs 1,900 million transistors into a 133 mm² die. AMD's Zen chip contains 3,500 million transistors on a 148 mm² die. The AMD part has nearly twice the transistor count and a slightly larger die, reflecting the more complex Zen microarchitecture.

Cache configurations differ as well. The Intel Core i7-5550U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, also with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part provides 50% more L1 cache and double the L2 cache per core, which contributes to its single-core performance advantage.

Memory support also differs. The Intel part supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a maximum bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The AMD part supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD chip has a 28.4% memory bandwidth advantage, which can benefit memory-intensive workloads.

PCIe connectivity differs significantly. The Intel Core i7-5550U provides PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G provides PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The AMD part offers newer PCIe generation, doubling the per-lane bandwidth, while the Intel part offers more lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Intel part uses Intel HD 6000, while the AMD part uses Radeon Vega 3. Both are integrated solutions, but the database does not include graphics benchmarks for direct comparison.

The Intel part is end-of-life, released in February 2015 with a launch MSRP of $426. The AMD part is active, released in February 2020. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has the part number SR26A, while the AMD part has the part number YE1606C4T2OFG.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, it scores 888 against the Intel Core i7-5550U's 333, a 62.5% advantage.

Q: Which processor performs better in modern multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i7-5550U wins in Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 2363 against the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G's 1842, a 28.3% lead.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-5550U has an average benchmark score of 813, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G has an average benchmark score of 797.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel Core i7-5550U supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-5550U is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G is listed as active.

Q: How do these processors compare in cache size?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Intel Core i7-5550U has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both have 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5550U | AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G |

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

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Zen |

| Codename | Broadwell-U | Zen (Banded Kestrel) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,900 million | 3,500 million |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 148 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 6000 | Radeon Vega 3 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2015-02-28 | 2020-02-24 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | Not available |

Both processors have 2 cores and 4 threads, a dual-channel memory bus, no ECC memory support, and a locked multiplier. Both use 4 MB of shared L3 cache and a 14 nm process node.

The Verdict

The benchmark data tells a clear story for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G is the pick for single-threaded performance. Its 62.5% lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore makes it the dominant choice for applications that depend on one core's speed. The AMD part also wins in Cinebench R15 multicore with a 24.9% margin, making it suitable for legacy multi-threaded workloads.

The Intel Core i7-5550U is the pick for modern multi-threaded rendering. Its 28.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore shows it extracts more performance from the same 2-core, 4-thread configuration in contemporary workloads. The Intel part also has a slightly higher average benchmark score (813 vs 797) and a marginally better percentile ranking (22nd vs 21st).

The AMD chip is the better all-around choice for users prioritizing clock speed and single-thread responsiveness. It has a 0.60 GHz higher base clock and a 0.50 GHz higher boost clock, along with more L1 and L2 cache per core. It also supports faster DDR4 memory with 8.5 GB/s more bandwidth.

The Intel chip is the better choice for users running current multi-threaded rendering applications. Despite its lower clocks and older architecture, it outperforms the AMD part in the R23 multicore test. Its lower TDP of 15 W versus 25 W also makes it more power-efficient, which matters for thermally constrained mobile designs.

The data shows the AMD part wins more benchmarks, but the Intel part wins the most relevant modern test. Users should choose based on which workload matches their primary use case. For single-core speed and legacy rendering, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G is the clear pick. For modern multi-core rendering, the Intel Core i7-5550U delivers better results.