AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 vs Intel Core i7-3770K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770K and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors, but they come from different design eras. The database records the R2514 winning every shared Cinebench test, while the i7-3770K offers an unlocked multiplier and higher clock speeds. This analysis covers the architecture, benchmark results, and specification differences between the two.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 is the faster processor. It wins all six Cinebench tests shared with the i7-3770K, with margins between 7.1% and 7.5%. The R2514 also does this at a 15W TDP, compared to the i7-3770K's 77W. The i7-3770K has higher base and boost clocks (3.50 GHz and 3.90 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and 3.70 GHz) and an unlocked multiplier, but that does not translate to a win in any shared benchmark. The R2514 also holds a higher average benchmark score (1730 versus 1688) and a slightly higher percentile rank (41 versus 40). For anyone choosing between these two based on the database, the R2514 is the clear pick for performance and efficiency. The i7-3770K remains interesting for overclocking enthusiasts, but the recorded results show it trailing in every Cinebench test.

Architecture Differences

Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads, but their underlying designs diverge sharply. The i7-3770K uses Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, fabricated by Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The R2514 uses AMD's Zen+ (Picasso) architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The transistor count and die size differences reflect the newer process and more complex design of the R2514.

Cache layouts also differ. The i7-3770K has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3. The R2514 has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the R2514 may help with certain workloads, while the i7-3770K's larger L3 pool is a different trade-off.

Memory support is another major split. The i7-3770K uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The R2514 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The R2514 also supports ECC memory, which the i7-3770K does not. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and both include integrated graphics: Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3770K, Radeon Vega 8 on the R2514.

The i7-3770K has an unlocked multiplier, while the R2514 is locked. TDP ratings are 77W for the i7-3770K and 15W for the R2514. The i7-3770K is end-of-life, released in 2012, while the R2514 is active, released in 2022. Sockets differ as well: Intel Socket 1155 for the i7-3770K, AMD Socket FP5 for the R2514.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database includes six Cinebench tests shared by both processors, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the R2514 scores 603 against the i7-3770K's 558, a 7.5% advantage. In R15 single-core, the scores are 84 versus 78, a 7.1% lead. In R20 multi-core, the R2514 posts 2513 versus 2327, a 7.4% margin. In R20 single-core, it is 354 versus 328, a 7.3% lead. In R23 multi-core, the R2514 reaches 5984 versus 5542, a 7.4% advantage. In R23 single-core, it is 844 versus 782, a 7.3% lead.

The consistency of the margin, between 7.1% and 7.5% across all six tests, indicates a uniform performance advantage for the R2514 in the Cinebench suite. The i7-3770K also has Geekbench scores in the database (3027 multi-core, 860 single-core), but the R2514 has no Geekbench results, so no comparison is possible there. The average benchmark score for the i7-3770K is 1688, while the R2514 sits at 1730. The percentile ranks are 40 and 41, respectively.

For context, the i7-3770K's average score of 1688 places it near the Intel Core i7-5850HQ (1688, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H (1690, -0.1% delta). The R2514's 1730 average is close to the Intel Core i3-10100 (1742, -0.7% delta) and the Intel Core i3-1315UE (1739, -0.5% delta). These nearest rivals show that both processors sit in a similar performance tier, but the R2514 holds a clear edge over the i7-3770K in the shared tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 wins all six shared Cinebench tests, with margins from 7.1% to 7.5% over the Intel Core i7-3770K.

Q: Does the i7-3770K have higher clock speeds?

A: Yes. The i7-3770K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 3.90 GHz, while the R2514 runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Despite this, the R2514 wins every shared benchmark.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-3770K does not.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The i7-3770K has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB shared L3. The R2514 has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 4 MB shared L3.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770K has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 is locked.

Q: What are the TDPs?

A: The i7-3770K has a 77W TDP, while the R2514 is rated at 15W.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 wins in every recorded Cinebench test, so it is the better choice for workloads that rely on those benchmarks. It also has a lower TDP (15W versus 77W), making it more power-efficient. The Intel Core i7-3770K has higher base and boost clocks and an unlocked multiplier, which could appeal to overclockers, but the data shows no benchmark win. The i7-3770K also has a larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB), but that does not overcome the R2514's performance lead. The R2514 supports ECC memory and uses DDR4 with higher bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s). The i7-3770K is end-of-life, while the R2514 is active. For new builds, the R2514 is the stronger option based on the recorded data.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-3770K | AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 |

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

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Series | (none) | 2000 series |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Zen+ |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Picasso |

| Generation | Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) | Ryzen Embedded (Zen+ (Picasso)) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 160 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 | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Radeon Vega 8 |

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

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2022-09-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $313 | (none) |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR0PL | YE2514C4T4MFH, YE2514C4T4MFHA |

Both processors share 4 cores, 8 threads, a dual-channel memory bus, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and the desktop market segment. The table above lists only the fields where the two differ.