AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Intel Atom C5125 Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Atom C5125 wins every single-core benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1035 versus 1018 for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544, a 1.7% advantage. The margin is slightly larger in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Atom scores 104 against 102, a 2% lead.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Atom C5125 leads in all multi-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7336 versus 7213, a 1.7% edge. The smallest multi-core gap is in Cinebench R20, where the Atom's 3081 beats the AMD's 3029 by 1.7%, while the largest is in R15 multi-core, where 739 versus 726 represents a 1.8% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Intel Atom C5125 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This means the AMD chip relies on simultaneous multithreading to match thread count, whereas the Intel part uses physical cores alone.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. This is a notable commonality for embedded and server applications where data integrity is critical.

Q: What integrated graphics do the two processors offer?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Atom C5125 has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A in the database.

Q: How does the average benchmark score compare between the two?

A: The Intel Atom C5125 has an average benchmark score of 2122, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 averages 2086. Both processors sit at the 46th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy a similar overall performance tier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Atom C5125 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from 1.6% to 2%. The largest victory comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Atom leads by 2 points (104 versus 102), while the narrowest is in Cinebench R20 single-core, a 1.6% margin (434 versus 427). Every other test falls between these extremes, with multi-core deltas of 1.7% or 1.8%.

For users prioritizing raw CPU throughput in Cinebench workloads, the Intel Atom C5125 is the clear choice. Its 8 physical cores and 46.9 GB/s memory bandwidth deliver a slight but consistent edge across every recorded test. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 counters with a higher base clock of 3.35 GHz (versus 2.80 GHz), a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the Intel part lacks entirely.

The choice hinges on system requirements beyond CPU rendering. If the workload demands an integrated GPU and can tolerate a small performance deficit, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 offers a complete package in a 45 W TDP. If maximum Cinebench scores are the sole criterion, the Intel Atom C5125 wins every round, though its 50 W TDP is slightly higher. Both chips occupy the same 46th percentile in the database, so neither represents a dramatic performance tier advantage. The data shows a narrow but consistent victory for Intel in compute-bound tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Atom C5125 sweeps the entire benchmark suite, but the margins are tight enough to demand scrutiny. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Atom scores 739 against 726 for the AMD, a 1.8% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a 2% gap, with 104 versus 102. These are the two largest deltas in the entire comparison.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Atom's multi-core score of 3081 beats the AMD's 3029 by 1.7%. In single-core, 434 versus 427 yields a 1.6% advantage, the smallest margin recorded. The R23 results mirror this structure: multi-core sees 7336 versus 7213 (1.7%), and single-core sees 1035 versus 1018 (1.7%).

What is notable is the consistency of these deltas. No test shows a dramatic swing; the Intel advantage is uniform across all six benchmarks. This suggests the gap stems from architectural efficiency rather than a specific workload characteristic. The Atom's 8-core, 8-thread configuration with Tremont cores manages to edge out the Zen+ based, 4-core, 8-thread AMD part in every scenario.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this narrative. The Intel Atom C5125 averages 2122, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 averages 2086. Both land at the 46th percentile in the database, and their nearest rivals cluster within a narrow band. The Atom's closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-1160G7, scores 2124, just 0.1% higher. The AMD's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-9350KF, scores 2082, a 0.2% gap. These figures place both processors in a crowded mid-range field where small deltas define positioning.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Atom C5125 packs 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 offers 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks diverge significantly: the AMD runs at 3.35 GHz, the Intel at 2.80 GHz. The AMD also features a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, a capability the Intel part lacks entirely.

Thermal design power differs by 5 W, with the Intel Atom rated at 50 W and the AMD at 45 W. Socket compatibility is distinct: the Intel uses BGA 2106, the AMD uses Socket FP5. Memory bandwidth favors the AMD, which records 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s for the Intel, though both support dual-channel DDR4 and ECC.

The most significant functional difference is integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 includes Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel Atom C5125 has no iGPU. This makes the AMD a more self-contained solution for systems without a discrete graphics card. The AMD also carries a larger physical footprint, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors, while the Intel part has no listed die size or transistor count.

Release dates and market positioning also differ. The Intel Atom launched on June 5, 2022, with a launch MSRP of $335. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 launched later, on September 29, 2022, with no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors remain active in production, but they target different segments: the Intel is classified for Server/Workstation use, the AMD for Desktop.

Architecture Differences

The underlying architectures are generations apart. The Intel Atom C5125 is built on the Tremont microarchitecture, part of the Parker Ridge codename family. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 uses the Zen+ architecture from the Picasso codename, part of the 2000 series. These represent fundamentally different design philosophies: Tremont focuses on power-efficient throughput, while Zen+ emphasizes higher clock speeds and per-core performance.

Process technology further separates the two. The Intel chip is fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The AMD chip uses a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This gives the Intel part a density advantage, though the AMD's larger 210 mm² die and 4,940 million transistors indicate a more complex physical design.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The Intel Atom C5125 offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 4.5 MB of L2 cache per module, with no L3 cache listed. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 4 MB L3 cache. This means the AMD has a more conventional cache structure with a dedicated L3, while the Intel relies on larger L2 modules.

The memory controller also differs in bandwidth. The AMD achieves 51.2 GB/s, the Intel 46.9 GB/s, a 4.3 GB/s gap that favors the AMD in memory-intensive operations. Both support DDR4 and dual-channel configurations, and both have ECC capability.

The feature set diverges most clearly on graphics. The AMD's Radeon Vega 8 integrated GPU provides display output and compute capabilities absent from the Intel part. The Intel Atom C5125, classified for Server/Workstation use, forgoes graphics entirely. This architectural choice aligns with their market segments: the Intel targets headless server workloads, while the AMD's integrated graphics suit embedded desktop applications. The recorded benchmarks show the Intel's architecture translates into a slight but consistent Cinebench advantage, despite the AMD's higher clocks and larger cache hierarchy.