AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 vs Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 are both 4-core, 4-thread processors aimed at compact systems, but they represent vastly different design philosophies separated by nearly seven years of silicon evolution. The AMD part, built on a 12nm process with a Zen+ architecture, edges out the older 14nm Skylake-based Intel chip across every single Cinebench benchmark in the data, yet the margins are remarkably thin—never exceeding 1.4%. Both processors land at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1401 for the Intel and 1415 for the AMD, placing them in the same performance tier despite their generational gap.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 wins all six head-to-head comparisons. However, the wins are so narrow that they don't translate into a clear use-case advantage in raw compute. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD leads by 1.4% (69 vs 68). In multi-core workloads, the AMD part consistently leads by exactly 1% across R15, R20, and R23. This suggests that for heavily threaded applications, the Ryzen Embedded R2314 holds a small but repeatable edge.

The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5, despite losing every benchmark, retains its relevance through traits that don't appear in the Cinebench scores. Its 80W TDP and Socket 1151 platform target traditional server/workstation deployments, whereas the AMD part's 15W TDP and Socket FP5 are designed for fanless or passively cooled embedded systems. The Intel chip is also end-of-life, while the AMD remains active in production. For a system builder prioritizing long-term availability and low power draw, the Ryzen Embedded R2314 is the logical choice. For those locked into a legacy Xeon platform or requiring the Intel ecosystem, the E3-1220 v5 still delivers comparable compute, albeit with a much higher thermal footprint.

The AMD's integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics is a decisive feature for embedded applications where a discrete GPU is impractical. The Intel Xeon has no integrated graphics at all, forcing a separate graphics solution. This alone tilts many compact system designs—such as thin clients, digital signage, or industrial controllers—toward the AMD part, even if the CPU performance difference is negligible.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses the Skylake-DT architecture on a 14nm process, produced by Intel with 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 employs Zen+ (Picasso) on a 12nm process from GlobalFoundries, packing 4,940 million transistors onto a 210 mm² die. The AMD chip packs nearly three times the transistor count and a larger die, reflecting its more complex design with integrated Vega graphics and a newer memory controller.

Cache hierarchies differ meaningfully. The Intel part provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD counters with 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD's larger per-core caches help feed its higher single-thread efficiency, while the Intel's double-sized L3 pool benefits workloads with shared data access patterns. In practice, these cache differences likely cancel out, which explains the near-identical benchmark results.

Memory support diverges as well. The Intel Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, offering flexibility for legacy systems, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD achieves 42.7 GB/s bandwidth versus 34.1 GB/s for the Intel—a 25% advantage in theoretical memory throughput. Both support ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in embedded or server roles. On PCIe, both provide Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, so expansion capability is identical. The AMD's integrated Radeon Vega 6 is a major architectural differentiator; the Intel chip has no iGPU, requiring a separate graphics adapter.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a consistent, if slight, AMD advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen Embedded R2314 scores 493 against the Xeon's 488, a 1% delta. The single-core R15 result is 69 vs 68, a 1.4% lead for AMD—the largest margin in the entire comparison. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD wins multi-core 2055 vs 2034 (1% delta) and single-core 289 vs 287 (0.7% delta). The trend continues in Cinebench R23, where the AMD leads multi-core 4893 vs 4845 (1% delta) and single-core 690 vs 684 (0.9% delta).

These margins are so tight that they fall within typical run-to-run variance for Cinebench. The data indicates that for practical purposes, the two processors are functionally equivalent in CPU-bound tasks. The AMD's higher base clock of 2.10 GHz versus the Intel's 3.00 GHz is offset by the Intel's older architecture and the AMD's higher boost clock potential—both reach 3.50 GHz at peak. The AMD's 12nm process and Zen+ architecture deliver better instructions-per-clock, which explains how a chip with a 0.90 GHz lower base clock can match or slightly exceed the Intel part. The Intel Xeon's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2104G (deltaPct 0), Intel Core i5-6500TE (0.1%), and Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE (-0.2%), showing it sits in a crowded field of comparable performers. The AMD's rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U (0%), Intel Core i5-4460 (0%), and Intel Core i7-3840QM (-0.1%), placing it at parity with much older desktop parts.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) with a consistent 1% delta over the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5. Scores are 493 vs 488, 2055 vs 2034, and 4893 vs 4845, respectively.

Q: Do these chips support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 support ECC memory. The Intel supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the AMD supports only DDR4.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 includes integrated graphics, featuring Radeon Vega 6. The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 has a TDP of 80W. The AMD part is dramatically more power-efficient, making it suitable for passively cooled embedded designs.

Q: What is the performance percentile of each chip?

A: Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are 1401 for the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 and 1415 for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 is active and still in production.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 | AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 |

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

| Architecture | Skylake (Skylake-DT) | Zen+ (Picasso) |

| Process Node | 14 nm (Intel) | 12 nm (GlobalFoundries) |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 210 mm² |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 80W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| 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 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2022-06-20 |

| Part Number | SR2LG | YE2314C4T4MFH |