AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 vs Intel Core i5-8269U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8269U and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 are closely matched processors, both landing at the 41st percentile of all CPUs benchmarked. The data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Intel part across every Cinebench test. The largest margin is a 1.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the smallest is a 1% advantage in the R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. Neither chip has a decisive advantage; the Intel i5-8269U wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, but the performance gap is almost negligible in real-world terms. The Ryzen Embedded R2514 is never ahead, but it is also never far behind, with its average benchmark score of 1730 trailing the Intel’s 1748 by just over one percent.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a picture of near-parity, with Intel holding a slight edge in every discipline. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Intel Core i5-8269U scores 609 against the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514’s 603, a 1% difference. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: Intel leads 85 to 84, a 1.2% margin. This pattern repeats in the newer Cinebench iterations. For R20 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 2538 versus 2513 for AMD, again a 1% lead, while the single-core R20 result is 358 against 354, a 1.1% advantage.

The most recent benchmark, Cinebench R23, confirms the trend. The Intel i5-8269U achieves 6044 points in multi-core, while the AMD R2514 scores 5984, a 1% gap. In single-core R23, the Intel part scores 853 versus 844, a 1.1% lead. Across all six tests, the Intel processor wins by between 1% and 1.2%. The data indicates that the Intel chip is consistently slightly faster, but the margins are so small that they would be imperceptible in everyday use. The AMD part’s best performance relative to Intel is in the multi-core tests, where it never loses by more than 1%, suggesting its multi-threaded architecture keeps it competitive despite the lower clock speeds.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-8269U wins outright in all six benchmark categories listed. This includes both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, as measured by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The data shows no test where the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 comes out ahead. Therefore, the Intel chip is the superior choice for any task that relies on raw CPU rendering performance, whether it is single-core tasks like lightly-threaded applications or multi-core tasks like video encoding and 3D rendering. The Intel chip’s higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the AMD’s 3.70 GHz, likely contributes to its consistent, albeit slight, wins.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514’s strengths lie outside the Cinebench scores. While it loses on raw compute benchmarks, it offers a different feature set. The data shows it supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not. It also has a lower TDP of 15 watts versus Intel’s 28 watts, indicating a more power-efficient design. For embedded applications where reliability and low power consumption are prioritized over maximum performance, the AMD part’s feature set may be more attractive, even if its benchmark scores are marginally lower. The AMD chip wins on the specification sheet for power efficiency and memory integrity, even though it loses every compute benchmark.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U is faster. It wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 6044, compared to the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514’s 5984, a 1% difference.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U leads in single-core as well. In the Cinebench R20 single-core test, it scores 358 versus the AMD’s 354, a 1.1% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 win any benchmarks?

A: No. According to the head-to-head data, the Intel Core i5-8269U wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core). The AMD part has zero wins.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has an average benchmark score of 1748, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 has an average score of 1730. This places the Intel chip slightly higher, though both share the same 41st percentile ranking.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has a TDP of 28 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 has a TDP of 15 watts. This means the AMD chip is rated for lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8269U does not.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i5-8269U has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514’s 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. The Intel chip has a higher TDP at 28 watts, while the AMD part is rated for 15 watts. They use different sockets: the Intel uses Intel BGA 1356, while the AMD uses AMD Socket FP5. The Intel chip’s memory support is simply listed as DDR4, whereas the AMD chip specifies dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Crucially, the AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. The integrated graphics also differ: the Intel features Iris Pro Plus, while the AMD features Radeon Vega 8. The Intel chip’s market segment is listed as Mobile, while the AMD is listed as Desktop. The Intel part was released on 2018-04-04, while the AMD part was released on 2022-09-29.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The Intel Core i5-8269U is built on Kaby Lake architecture (specifically Kaby Lake-R) using a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel, with a die size of 123 mm². The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 uses the Zen+ architecture (codename Picasso) on a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with a much larger die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. Cache configurations differ: Intel provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD provides more cache per core, with 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, but less shared L3 cache at 4 MB. The AMD chip also lists PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes (CPU only), a detail absent from the Intel specifications. The AMD part is from the 2000 series, while the Intel is a Kaby Lake-U Refresh generation part. The foundry is also different, with Intel using its own fabs and AMD using GlobalFoundries.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-8269U is the faster processor for compute-intensive tasks. It wins every single benchmark in the comparison, with margins ranging from 1% to 1.2%. For users or systems where maximum CPU rendering performance is the sole criterion, the Intel chip is the definitive choice. Its higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache likely contribute to its edge in both single and multi-threaded workloads.

However, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 is not without merit. Its 15-watt TDP, compared to the Intel’s 28 watts, makes it a more power-efficient option for embedded systems. The support for ECC memory is also a significant factor for applications requiring high data integrity, such as servers or industrial controllers. The AMD chip’s newer release date (2022) and larger transistor count (4,940 million) suggest a more modern design, even if its benchmark scores do not reflect an advantage.

The choice comes down to priorities. If the primary need is raw benchmark performance, the Intel Core i5-8269U wins outright. If the system requires lower power draw, ECC memory support, or a newer embedded platform with specific PCIe Gen 3 lanes, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 is the better fit, despite its slightly lower scores. The Intel chip is the performance leader; the AMD chip is the feature-rich, power-efficient alternative. The benchmark data does not support a recommendation for the AMD part on speed alone, but its specification sheet offers compelling reasons to consider it for specific embedded use cases.