AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 vs Intel Core i7-4860HQ Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 and Intel Core i7-4860HQ are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they represent vastly different eras of design. The Ryzen is a modern 12 nm embedded part from the 2000 series, while the Intel chip is a 22 nm mobile part from the Haswell generation. Benchmark results show a clear, consistent performance advantage for the AMD processor across every tested workload, though the Intel part holds its own in specific legacy scenarios. The data indicates a decisive win for the newer architecture, but the comparison is more nuanced when considering platform features and market positioning.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen R2514 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 12.0% to 13.1%. The most significant single-core victory comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD scores 84 against Intel's 75, a 12.0% delta. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD scores 354 versus 313, a 13.1% advantage. The R23 single-core test shows 844 for AMD and 747 for Intel, a 13.0% gap.

Multi-core results tell the same story with slightly larger margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 603 against 533, a 13.1% delta. The R20 multi-core test shows 2513 for AMD and 2224 for Intel, also a 13.0% advantage. The R23 multi-core benchmark has AMD at 5984 and Intel at 5297, a 13.0% difference. These consistent margins across both single and multi-threaded workloads suggest the performance gap is architectural rather than workload-specific.

The average benchmark score places the Ryzen R2514 at 1730, with the Intel i7-4860HQ slightly behind at 1720. This 0.6% difference in average score is small, but the individual Cinebench results show a more pronounced AMD advantage. The Intel part does have additional Geekbench scores not present for the AMD chip, with 3527 multi-core and 1045 single-core, but these do not factor into the head-to-head results.

The Verdict

The data shows the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 as the clear performance winner, taking all six head-to-head benchmarks with a minimum margin of 12%. Anyone prioritizing raw computational throughput should select the AMD part. The 13.1% advantage in both R15 and R20 multi-core tests indicates that the Zen+ architecture delivers more work per clock cycle than the older Haswell design.

However, the Intel Core i7-4860HQ remains relevant for specific use cases. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD at 1730 and Intel at 1720, a difference of only 0.6%. The Intel chip is positioned as a mobile part with a 47 W TDP, while the AMD is a 15 W embedded processor. Systems requiring the older Intel socket, BGA 1364, or those running DDR3 memory would find the i7-4860HQ the only viable option. The Intel part also supports Geekbench testing, which the AMD data does not include, suggesting potential differences in certain legacy workloads.

For new designs, the Ryzen R2514 offers superior performance and a more efficient 15 W power envelope. For existing platforms or those with specific DDR3 requirements, the i7-4860HQ remains serviceable but clearly behind in every measured benchmark.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 wins in every measured Cinebench test, making it the obvious choice for CPU-bound rendering and multi-threaded productivity workloads. Its 13.1% lead in R15 multi-core and 13.0% lead in R23 multi-core indicate strong scaling across all cores. The single-core wins of 12.0% to 13.1% suggest the Zen+ architecture has a higher instruction-per-clock rate than Haswell, benefiting tasks that rely on single-threaded performance.

The Intel Core i7-4860HQ finds its advantage in platform compatibility rather than raw benchmark scores. It uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket, which may match existing motherboard designs. Its support for DDR3 memory could be advantageous in systems with DDR3 infrastructure, despite the lower 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth compared to the AMD's 42.7 GB/s. The Intel part carries a 47 W TDP, which is higher than the AMD's 15 W, but this may be acceptable in systems designed for higher power delivery. The Intel's integrated graphics is Intel HD 5200, while the AMD uses Radeon Vega 8, though no graphics benchmarks are provided in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 has an average benchmark score of 1730, while the Intel Core i7-4860HQ scores 1720, a difference of 0.6%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The largest gap is a 13.1% advantage for the AMD in both Cinebench R15 multi-core and R20 single-core tests. The AMD scores 603 versus 533 in R15 multi-core, and 354 versus 313 in R20 single-core.

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

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 and Intel Core i7-4860HQ have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4860HQ has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 has a 15 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-4860HQ has a 47 W TDP.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4860HQ does not.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This design incorporates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-4860HQ uses the Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, built on a 22 nm process at Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The node advantage is significant, with the AMD using a smaller process despite having over three times the transistor count.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache. The R2514's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may contribute to its single-core performance advantage, while the Intel's larger L3 helps with shared data.

Memory support diverges completely. The AMD uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, plus ECC support. The Intel uses DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, without ECC. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics also differ, with AMD featuring Radeon Vega 8 and Intel featuring HD 5200, though no graphics benchmarks are available.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specifications. The AMD has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel has a base of 2.40 GHz and boost of 3.60 GHz. The AMD's TDP is 15 W compared to the Intel's 47 W. The AMD uses Socket FP5, while the Intel uses BGA 1364. Process nodes are 12 nm for AMD and 22 nm for Intel.

The AMD is listed as an active production part from the 2000 series, released in 2022, while the Intel is end-of-life, released in 2014. The AMD's market segment is desktop, while the Intel's is mobile. The AMD supports DDR4 memory with ECC, while the Intel supports DDR3 without ECC. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s for AMD versus 25.6 GB/s for Intel.

Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads, dual-channel memory buses, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, and locked multipliers. The AMD has a die size of 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors, while the Intel has a 264 mm² die with 1,400 million transistors. The AMD offers 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3, while the Intel offers 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 6 MB shared L3. Neither has a listed launch MSRP.