AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 vs Intel Core i7-7820HK Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 has a base clock of 3.35 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Intel Core i7-7820HK has a lower base clock at 2.90 GHz but a higher boost clock at 3.90 GHz.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins every recorded multi-core Cinebench test. It scores 14.3% higher in Cinebench R15 multi-core (726 vs 635), 14.4% higher in R20 multi-core (3029 vs 2648), and 14.4% higher in R23 multi-core (7213 vs 6306).

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK does not.

Q: What is the manufacturing process for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 is built on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i7-7820HK uses Intel's 14 nm process.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 is listed as Active in production status. The Intel Core i7-7820HK is listed as End-of-life.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 has an average benchmark score of 2086, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK averages 2048. Both sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 belongs to the Ryzen Embedded series from the 2000 series family, built on the Zen+ architecture with the codename Picasso. It uses a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries and packs 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-7820HK is a Kaby Lake-H part, using Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 126 mm² and no transistor count recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ substantially between the two. The AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but doubles the shared L3 to 8 MB. So while Intel offers more last-level cache, AMD has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Both processors feature four cores and eight threads, and both have a 45 W TDP. They also share the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Memory support differs, however. The AMD part supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC support. The Intel part supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded, and it lacks ECC support.

The integrated graphics also differ. AMD integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while Intel includes HD Graphics 630. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP5, whereas the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1440. The AMD part has a locked multiplier, while the Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, a notable difference for overclocking. The Intel chip's launch MSRP is $378.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results show a consistent pattern: the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins every head-to-head test in the database. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 726 against Intel's 635, a 14.3% advantage. In R15 single-core, AMD scores 102 against 89, a 14.6% edge. The single-core gain is marginally larger than the multi-core gain, which is interesting given that Intel's boost clock is higher at 3.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

Cinebench R20 continues the trend. The AMD chip scores 3029 in multi-core versus Intel's 2648, a 14.4% difference. In single-core, AMD scores 427 versus 373, a 14.5% difference. The margins remain almost identical across the board, suggesting a consistent architectural efficiency advantage rather than a test-specific anomaly.

Cinebench R23 shows the same story. AMD leads multi-core with 7213 against 6306, again a 14.4% lead. In single-core, AMD scores 1018 versus 890, another 14.4% difference. The consistency of the delta across R15, R20, and R23 is striking: every multi-core test lands at 14.3% to 14.4%, and every single-core test lands at 14.4% to 14.6%.

The Intel chip does have one benchmark in the database that AMD lacks: Geekbench. The Intel Core i7-7820HK scores 4173 in Geekbench multi-core and 1273 in Geekbench single-core. Since no corresponding AMD Geekbench result is recorded, a direct comparison on that test cannot be made from the data.

Average benchmark scores put the AMD chip at 2086, which is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-9350KF and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Xeon W-2123, while trailing the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X by 0.4% and the Intel Core i3-8350K by 0.5%. The Intel chip averages 2048, exactly matching the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5, sitting 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U and 0.2% above the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5, while trailing the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 by 0.3%. Both chips land at the 46th percentile overall, meaning they occupy a similar position in the broader performance distribution.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 uses the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename, while the Intel Core i7-7820HK uses Kaby Lake architecture with the Kaby Lake-H codename. The process node differs: AMD uses 12 nm from GlobalFoundries, Intel uses 14 nm from its own foundry. The AMD die measures 210 mm² and contains 4,940 million transistors; the Intel die measures 126 mm² with no transistor count listed.

Base and boost clocks differ in opposite directions. AMD has the higher base clock at 3.35 GHz versus Intel's 2.90 GHz, but Intel has the higher boost clock at 3.90 GHz versus AMD's 3.70 GHz. Cache configurations differ as noted: AMD has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3; Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3.

Memory support diverges: AMD supports DDR4 only with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC enabled; Intel supports DDR3 and DDR4 but has no recorded bandwidth and no ECC. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 on the AMD side versus Intel HD Graphics 630 on the Intel side. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel BGA 1440. The AMD part is locked, while the Intel part has an unlocked multiplier. Production status differs: AMD is Active, Intel is End-of-life. Release dates also differ, with Intel launching earlier and AMD arriving later.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner in raw compute performance. The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins all six recorded head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins between 14.3% and 14.6%. That is a substantial and consistent lead across both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Intel Core i7-7820HK does not win a single recorded comparison in the database.

However, the Intel chip has advantages that are not measured in the Cinebench suite. It has an unlocked multiplier, which the AMD part lacks, meaning overclocking is possible on the Intel side. It also has a higher boost clock at 3.90 GHz, which could matter in lightly threaded tasks that scale with peak frequency, though the recorded single-core benchmarks do not reflect that advantage. The Intel chip also has double the shared L3 cache at 8 MB versus 4 MB.

The AMD part counters with ECC memory support, a higher base clock, a smaller process node at 12 nm, and Active production status. The Intel chip is end-of-life in the database, which could matter for long-term availability.

For buyers who prioritize raw threaded performance in Cinebench workloads, the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 is the stronger pick. For buyers who value an unlocked multiplier and a higher boost clock, the Intel Core i7-7820HK offers those specific features, though its recorded scores trail in every direct comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 wins in all measured benchmark categories. It takes Cinebench R15 multi-core with 726 versus 635, R15 single-core with 102 versus 89, R20 multi-core with 3029 versus 2648, R20 single-core with 427 versus 373, R23 multi-core with 7213 versus 6306, and R23 single-core with 1018 versus 890. It also wins on ECC memory support, base clock speed, process node size, and production status.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK wins on boost clock speed, with 3.90 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. It also wins on shared L3 cache capacity at 8 MB shared versus 4 MB shared. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking potential that the locked AMD part cannot offer. It also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the AMD part supports DDR4 only, and it has a smaller die size at 126 mm² versus 210 mm². The Intel chip has a Geekbench result recorded in the database, though no AMD Geekbench score exists for comparison. The Intel part also has a launch MSRP of $378 recorded, which can be stated once as a point of reference.

The AMD chip wins on all six head-to-head benchmark tests in the database. The Intel chip wins zero head-to-head tests. The split is unambiguous in the recorded data: AMD dominates compute performance, while Intel counters with feature-level advantages in overclocking headroom, cache capacity beyond L2, and memory type flexibility.