AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Intel Core i5-8500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8500T and AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 are both desktop-class processors aimed at compact and embedded systems, yet they deliver distinctly different performance profiles. While both CPUs land at the 46th percentile of all processors, the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent advantage for the AMD part across every single test. The Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, making it the outright performance leader, though the Intel chip counters with a lower power envelope and a larger shared cache.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 is the clear winner in raw computational performance, taking all six benchmark comparisons. Its victories span both multi-core and single-core workloads, indicating a fundamental architectural edge. In Cinebench R23, the most demanding test in the data set, the AMD part scores 7213 in multi-core and 1018 in single-core, compared to the Intel’s 6571 and 927, respectively. This suggests the Ryzen excels in rendering, video encoding, and any threaded application where sustained throughput matters. Its higher base clock of 3.35 GHz and boost clock of 3.70 GHz, combined with simultaneous multithreading (8 threads on 4 cores), give it a decisive advantage in both short bursts and long-running tasks.

The Intel Core i5-8500T, conversely, wins on efficiency and cache capacity. Its 35W TDP is significantly lower than the AMD’s 45W TDP, making it the better choice for thermally constrained, fanless, or passively cooled designs. It also holds a larger 9 MB shared L3 cache versus the AMD’s 4 MB, which can benefit workloads that repeatedly access a large working set of data. However, the benchmark data shows no test where this cache advantage translates into a performance win. The Intel chip’s 6 cores and 6 threads, while higher in core count, lack the Ryzen’s threading capability, and its lower clocks (2.10 GHz base, 3.50 GHz boost) place it behind in every measured metric. For users prioritizing power draw and cache-sensitive tasks, the i5-8500T has theoretical appeal, but for any performance benchmark, the Ryzen R2544 is the undisputed victor.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins all multi-core benchmarks. It scores 726 in Cinebench R15, 3029 in R20, and 7213 in R23, compared to the Intel i5-8500T’s 662, 2759, and 6571, respectively.

Q: Does the Intel chip win in any benchmark?

A: No. The data shows the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins all six head-to-head tests, covering both single-core and multi-core variants of Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The Intel i5-8500T has zero wins.

Q: How do their single-core scores compare?

A: The AMD part leads consistently. In Cinebench R15, it scores 102 versus Intel’s 93; in R20, it scores 427 versus 389; and in R23, it scores 1018 versus 927. The delta is approximately 8.8% to 8.9% in AMD’s favor across all tests.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500T has a 35W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 has a 45W TDP. This makes the Intel part more power-efficient on paper, though it sacrifices performance to achieve this.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-8500T does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for reliability-critical embedded or server applications.

Q: Which processor has a higher core and thread count?

A: The Intel has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the AMD’s simultaneous multithreading allows it to handle 8 threads, which contributes to its superior multi-core performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably uniform, with the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 winning every test by nearly the same margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 726 against the Intel’s 662, a delta of -8.8% from Intel’s perspective. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: AMD at 102, Intel at 93, again an 8.8% gap. This consistency suggests a clock-speed and IPC advantage for the AMD part rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the margins tighten slightly in percentage terms but remain decisive. The AMD scores 3029 in multi-core versus Intel’s 2759, a -8.9% delta. In single-core, the AMD hits 427 while the Intel manages 389, also -8.9%. The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, repeats the same story: AMD’s multi-core score of 7213 bests Intel’s 6571 by 8.9%, and AMD’s single-core score of 1018 beats Intel’s 927 by the same 8.9% margin.

These results indicate a stable, across-the-board performance advantage for the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544. The percentage delta is essentially constant at 8.8% to 8.9% across all tests, which implies the gap is driven by fundamental architectural differences—clock speed, IPC, and threading—rather than cache behavior or memory bandwidth. The Intel i5-8500T, despite having two more physical cores, cannot overcome the AMD’s higher clocks (3.35 GHz base vs. 2.10 GHz base) and SMT capability. In absolute terms, the AMD is anywhere from 64 to 642 points ahead depending on the test, with the largest absolute gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core (7213 vs. 6571).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on almost every core specification. The Intel Core i5-8500T offers 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 provides 4 cores and 8 threads. Their base clocks are starkly different: Intel runs at 2.10 GHz, AMD at 3.35 GHz. Boost clocks also favor AMD, at 3.70 GHz versus Intel’s 3.50 GHz. TDP is a point in Intel’s favor, with a 35W rating compared to AMD’s 45W.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a 9 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This gives Intel a larger total L3 pool, while AMD offers more L1 and L2 per core. Memory bandwidth also differs: AMD’s dual-channel DDR4 support yields 51.2 GB/s, whereas Intel’s dual-channel setup provides 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory support is exclusive to the AMD processor.

The socket and platform are completely different. Intel uses Socket 1151, while AMD uses Socket FP5. The process nodes also differ, with Intel on 14 nm and AMD on 12 nm. The AMD chip is built by GlobalFoundries, while Intel uses its own foundry. The AMD part includes a Radeon Vega 8 integrated GPU, while Intel features UHD 630. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both use DDR4 memory.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The Intel Core i5-8500T is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It is a monolithic design with 6 physical cores and no simultaneous multithreading, meaning it processes 6 threads total. The chip was released in April 2018 and is now end-of-life. Its L3 cache is a shared 9 MB pool, which is generous for a 6-core part. The integrated UHD 630 graphics provide basic display output but no compute-heavy GPU tasks.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544, conversely, uses the Zen+ architecture, specifically the Picasso codename, built on GlobalFoundries’ 12 nm process. This is a 4-core, 8-thread design with simultaneous multithreading enabled. The chip is part of the 2000 series and was released in September 2022, making it a much newer product that remains active in production. It has a transistor count of 4,940 million and a die size of 210 mm², reflecting a more complex design. Its cache hierarchy is split: 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. The Radeon Vega 8 integrated GPU is more capable than Intel’s UHD 630, and the processor supports ECC memory, a critical feature for embedded reliability.

The clock and power behavior further differentiate them. The AMD’s base clock of 3.35 GHz is over 50% higher than Intel’s 2.10 GHz base, which directly explains its single-core dominance. The AMD’s boost clock of 3.70 GHz also edges out Intel’s 3.50 GHz. However, the Intel part’s lower 35W TDP allows it to fit into tighter thermal envelopes, whereas the AMD’s 45W TDP requires more cooling. The AMD’s 12 nm process, while newer than Intel’s 14 nm, does not translate into a power advantage; instead, it enables higher clock speeds. The memory bandwidth advantage for AMD (51.2 GB/s vs. 42.7 GB/s) further supports its multi-core performance, particularly in bandwidth-sensitive workloads. Overall, the architecture differences favor AMD for raw speed and features, while Intel retains a niche in power-limited designs.