AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 vs Intel Core i7-2600K Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results in this comparison are remarkably one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 takes the win every time. The Intel Core i7-2600K does not claim a single head-to-head victory in the database. This does not mean the older Intel part is without merit, but it does mean that in purely measured performance, the AMD processor holds the advantage in every recorded workload.

The Intel Core i7-2600K wins in the broader sense of platform flexibility. It carries an unlocked multiplier, allowing user-controlled overclocking, a feature the Ryzen Embedded R2314 lacks entirely. The i7-2600K also supports DDR3 memory, while the R2314 requires DDR4. For systems built around existing DDR3 inventory, the Intel part remains relevant. However, the database shows no benchmark where the i7-2600K out-scores the R2314.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 wins in raw compute across single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests. Its smallest advantage is 4.3%, recorded in Cinebench R15 single-core. Its largest advantage is 4.9%, appearing in Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R20 multi-core. The consistency of these margins suggests a uniform architectural efficiency gain rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The Intel part does have a notable characteristic: it is an end-of-life product from 2011, while the AMD part is an active embedded processor released in 2022. The performance data shows the newer AMD silicon sustaining a narrow but consistent lead, even though the i7-2600K has higher base and boost clock ratings on paper.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The Intel Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process, fabricated by Intel. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 uses the Zen+ architecture, specifically the Picasso codename, on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries.

Transistor counts differ substantially. The Intel chip integrates 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD chip integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Despite nearly identical die sizes, the AMD processor packs over four times the transistor count, reflecting the density improvements of the newer 12 nm node versus the older 32 nm process.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i7-2600K provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The R2314 provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part offers double the L3 capacity, while the AMD part doubles L1 and L2 capacities per core.

Core and thread configurations are not identical. Both have four physical cores, but the i7-2600K supports eight threads through Hyper-Threading, while the R2314 has no SMT capability and runs four threads total. This means the Intel part processes twice as many threads in multi-threaded workloads, yet still trails the AMD part in multi-core benchmark scores.

Memory support diverges completely. The i7-2600K supports DDR3 with dual-channel operation and a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The R2314 supports DDR4, also dual-channel, but with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Intel chip uses Gen 2 with 16 CPU lanes, while the AMD chip uses Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ too. The i7-2600K includes Intel HD 3000, while the R2314 includes Radeon Vega 6. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1155 for the i7-2600K, AMD Socket FP5 for the R2314.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 scores 4893 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-2600K scores 4657. The AMD part leads by 4.8%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-2600K support overclocking?

A: Yes. The i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 has a locked multiplier, so it does not offer this capability.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-2600K does not.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core Cinebench R20?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 scores 289 in Cinebench R20 single-core, compared to 275 for the Intel Core i7-2600K, a 4.8% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-2600K is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 is listed as active in production.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Both have four physical cores, but the Intel Core i7-2600K supports eight threads while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 supports four threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category recorded in the database.

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2600K | AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 |

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

| Threads | 8 threads | 4 threads |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Zen+ (Picasso) |

| Process node | 32 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 4,940 million |

| Die size | 216 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core | 512 KB (per core |

| L3 cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2011-01-08T17:00:00.000Z | 2022-06-20T17:00:00.000Z |

| Launch MSRP | $317 | null |

| Multiplier unlocked | true | false |

The Intel Core i7-2600K has a launch MSRP of $317 on its release date in 2011. The database records no launch MSRP for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314. The Intel part also holds the higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, and a higher boost at 3.80 GHz versus 3.50 GHz. The AMD part consumes far less power at 15 W TDP versus 95 W, reflecting its embedded design target.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons between these two processors, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 wins all of them.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 493 against 469 for Intel, a 4.9% delta favoring AMD. This is the largest recorded margin in the entire comparison. The R2314 converts its architectural efficiency into a measurable multi-thread win despite having half the thread count of the i7-2600K.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows a tighter result. The AMD part scores 69, the Intel part scores 66, a 4.3% delta. This is the smallest advantage recorded for the R2314. Both processors are close in single-threaded legacy workloads, but the AMD part still finishes ahead.

Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern. The R2314 scores 2055, the i7-2600K scores 1955, another 4.9% delta. The multi-core margin holds steady across R15 and R20, suggesting that the AMD processor's advantage scales consistently with core-count workloads, even with fewer threads.

Cinebench R20 single-core sees the AMD part score 289 against 275 for Intel, a 4.8% delta. The single-core margin grows slightly from R15 to R20, indicating the Zen+ architecture improves its relative standing in newer rendering workloads.

Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers the highest absolute scores recorded. The R2314 reaches 4893, while the i7-2600K reaches 4657, a 4.8% delta. The absolute gap in points is 236, the largest point difference in any test. The percentage margin remains consistent with the earlier multi-core results.

Cinebench R23 single-core again favors the AMD part, scoring 690 against 657, a 4.8% delta. The single-core margin stabilizes at roughly 4.8% in the R20 and R23 generations. Across all six tests, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 maintains a lead between 4.3% and 4.9%, with no test favoring the Intel Core i7-2600K.

The broader database averages corroborate this picture. The i7-2600K holds an average benchmark score of 1433, with a 37th percentile against all CPUs. The R2314 holds an average benchmark score of 1415, also at the 37th percentile. Interestingly, the Intel part has a slightly higher average score in the database, despite losing every head-to-head Cinebench test. The i7-2600K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4712HQ at 1436 and the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G at 1439. The R2314's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U and Intel Core i5-4460, both at 1415. The head-to-head measurements, however, are unambiguous: in every direct comparison, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 finishes ahead.