AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Intel Core i3-8350K Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8350K and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 are both 4-core desktop processors that land at the 46th percentile in the global CPU benchmark distribution, yet their performance profiles diverge sharply across every measured workload. The benchmark data shows a decisive sweep: the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 18.3% to 18.6% depending on the test. Despite the Intel chip's higher base clock and unlocked multiplier, the AMD part's additional threads and newer architecture deliver consistently superior results in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 dominates every Cinebench iteration in the dataset, and the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 726 against the Intel Core i3-8350K's 593, a delta of -18.3% from Intel's perspective. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: 102 for AMD versus 83 for Intel, an 18.6% gap. This pattern holds across newer benchmark versions, with the R20 multi-core result showing 3029 for AMD against 2471 for Intel (-18.4%), and the R20 single-core test yielding 427 versus 348 (-18.5%). The largest absolute difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ryzen Embedded R2544 posts 7213 compared to the Intel part's 5884, maintaining the same -18.4% differential.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Every single benchmark — whether it stresses one core or all four — produces a gap between 18.3% and 18.6%. This uniformity suggests the performance advantage is structural rather than workload-specific. The AMD part's 8 threads versus Intel's 4 threads explain the multi-core wins, but the single-core advantage (18.5-18.6%) indicates the Zen+ architecture's IPC advantage over Coffee Lake is substantial even without the thread count benefit. The Intel Core i3-8350K does hold one statistical edge in the broader context: its average benchmark score of 2096 is 0.5% higher than the Ryzen Embedded R2544's 2086, though this aggregate figure includes Geekbench results that are absent from the AMD part's dataset.

Looking at the nearest rival data, both processors sit in a tight cluster. The Intel Core i3-8350K's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, which scores 2094 (0.1% delta), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G trails by 0.2%. On the AMD side, the Ryzen Embedded R2544's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-9350KF at 2082 (0.2% delta), with the Xeon W-2123 close behind. This clustered positioning means the two processors are effectively peers in overall average score, yet the head-to-head Cinebench results show a clear winner in every direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different manufacturing generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-8350K uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 126 mm². The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 employs the Zen+ architecture (codename Picasso) on a 12 nm node from GlobalFoundries, with a substantially larger die at 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. This transistor count is significant — the AMD part packs over twice the die area, reflecting its integrated Vega graphics and more complex memory subsystem.

Core configuration differs fundamentally. Both have 4 physical cores, but the Intel part runs 4 threads while the AMD part supports 8 threads through simultaneous multithreading. The cache hierarchy also diverges: Intel provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3, while AMD offers 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with only 4 MB of shared L3. The smaller L3 on AMD is offset by the larger per-core caches and the Zen+ memory controller's higher bandwidth.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The Intel Core i3-8350K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the AMD part runs at 3.35 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Despite the Intel chip's higher sustained clock, the AMD processor wins single-core tests, indicating that Zen+'s instructions-per-clock advantage more than compensates for the 0.30-0.65 GHz clock deficit. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the AMD part is locked. Power envelopes differ dramatically: the Intel processor carries a 91 W TDP versus the AMD's 45 W, making the AMD part more than twice as power-efficient per unit of performance.

Both processors support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but with different bandwidth ceilings: Intel lists 38.4 GB/s while AMD reaches 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, and both provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ — Intel includes UHD Graphics 630, while AMD pairs a Radeon Vega 8. The release timeline is separated by roughly five years: the Intel part launched in October 2017 with a $168 launch MSRP, while the AMD part arrived in September 2022 and is still in active production. The Intel chip is end-of-life.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests by 18.3-18.4%. In R15 multi-core it scores 726 versus 593, in R20 it posts 3029 against 2471, and in R23 it reaches 7213 compared to 5884.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8350K win any single-core benchmark?

A: No. Despite its higher 4.00 GHz base clock, it loses every single-core test to the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 by 18.5-18.6%, including R15 (83 vs 102), R20 (348 vs 427), and R23 (830 vs 1018).

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 2096 versus 2086 for the AMD part, a 0.5% difference. Both sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What explains the AMD's multi-thread advantage despite equal core counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 supports 8 threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel Core i3-8350K is limited to 4 threads. The AMD part also has a newer 12 nm Zen+ architecture versus Intel's 14 nm Coffee Lake design.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 lists 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is 33% higher than the Intel Core i3-8350K's 38.4 GB/s, despite both using dual-channel DDR4.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-8350K has an unlocked multiplier and is designed for overclocking, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-8350K | AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.35 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None listed | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 91 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen+ (Picasso) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 126 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 Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Radeon Vega 8 |

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

| Release Date | 2017-10-04 | 2022-09-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $168 | None listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 is the clear winner in every benchmark category measured. It outperforms the Intel Core i3-8350K by 18.3-18.6% across all six Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads from R15 through R23. This makes it the superior choice for any compute-intensive task, from rendering to compilation, where the additional threads and higher IPC translate directly into faster completion times. The AMD part also wins on power efficiency, consuming 45 W versus Intel's 91 W while delivering higher performance — a significant advantage for systems with thermal constraints or limited cooling. Its higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) and larger die with integrated Vega 8 graphics further strengthen its position for embedded or compact desktop deployments.

The Intel Core i3-8350K's advantages are narrower but real. Its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking headroom that the locked AMD part cannot match, potentially closing the performance gap in the hands of an enthusiast willing to push beyond the stock 4.00 GHz clock. The Intel chip also holds a marginal 0.5% edge in average benchmark score (2096 vs 2086), though this partially reflects the absence of Geekbench scores in the AMD dataset. For users prioritizing a mature ecosystem, the Intel's larger 8 MB shared L3 cache and 126 mm² die suggest simpler cache management in some workloads, though this advantage does not manifest in any measured benchmark. The $168 launch MSRP — one of the only price points in the dataset — positions it as a historically accessible entry into the overclockable Coffee Lake platform, even if that price is no longer current.

In practical terms, the data supports choosing the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 for almost any workload where the benchmark results matter. The Intel Core i3-8350K remains relevant only for users who specifically need its unlocked multiplier and are willing to overclock, or those constrained by the Intel Socket 1151 platform. For all measured Cinebench performance, the AMD part wins outright — and does so while drawing roughly half the power.