CPU Comparison

AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B and Intel Core i3-4340 are two very different processors that land in nearly the same performance tier. The AMD part is a 15-watt embedded chip built on a modern 14nm process, while the Intel is a 54-watt desktop CPU from the Haswell generation. Despite a five-year gap in release dates and completely different design goals, benchmark results place them within 0.1% of each other in average score, making this a fascinating comparison of efficiency versus legacy desktop architecture.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B scores 1027 on average, while the Intel Core i3-4340 scores 1026. The AMD part leads by a 0.1% margin, which is effectively a statistical tie.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 2985 versus the Intel's 2983, a 0.1% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD leads 1253 to 1252, also a 0.1% difference.

Q: Is there any single-core performance difference?

A: No. Both chips score exactly 421 in Cinebench R23 single-core and exactly 176 in Cinebench R20 single-core. The head-to-head data marks the AMD as the winner with a 0% delta in both tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both are 2-core, 4-thread parts. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B and Intel Core i3-4340 each feature 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading/SMT enabled.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B has only 2 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having half the L3, the AMD matches the Intel in every benchmark.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B has a 15-watt TDP, while the Intel Core i3-4340 has a 54-watt TDP. The AMD consumes significantly less power while delivering essentially identical performance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B uses the Zen architecture, manufactured on a 14nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a codename of "Great Horned Owl." The Intel Core i3-4340 uses the older Haswell architecture on Intel's 22nm process. This process difference is critical: the AMD runs on a denser 14nm node versus Intel's 22nm, which helps explain the massive TDP disparity.

The transistor counts tell a similar story. The AMD chip packs 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel has just 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. That is a 3.5x transistor advantage for the AMD, even though the Intel die is only slightly smaller. The Zen architecture's design emphasis on efficiency and multi-threaded throughput is evident in these numbers.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. The AMD provides 128 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the Intel offers only 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. However, the Intel compensates with a larger 4 MB shared L3 cache versus the AMD's 2 MB. Despite the AMD's smaller L3, the benchmark parity suggests the Zen memory architecture handles the difference effectively.

Memory support diverges completely. The AMD uses DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, while the Intel uses DDR3, also dual-channel. Neither supports ECC memory. The Intel carries PCIe Gen 3, while the AMD's PCIe specification is not listed in the data. Integrated graphics differ too: the AMD has Radeon Vega 3, while the Intel has HD 4600.

The release dates are five years apart. The Intel launched on 2013-08-31, while the AMD arrived on 2018-02-20. The Intel's production status is not specified, but the AMD is marked as Active. The Intel has a part number of SR1NL, while the AMD's is not listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkable for their consistency. Across all five Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B wins every single one, but the margins are razor-thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both chips score exactly 300, with the AMD declared the winner at 0% delta. This is a dead heat.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the AMD at 1253 versus the Intel at 1252, a 0.1% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core is another exact tie at 176 points. The two R23 tests follow the same pattern: multi-core is 2985 versus 2983 (0.1%), and single-core is tied at 421.

What these numbers reveal is that the AMD's architectural advantages, newer process, more transistors, higher efficiency, do not translate into meaningful performance gains in these workloads. The Intel's higher 3.60 GHz base clock (versus the AMD's 2.30 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost) likely helps it keep pace. The Intel has no boost clock listed, but its 3.60 GHz base exceeds the AMD's boost speed by 0.40 GHz.

The average benchmark scores confirm the parity. The AMD's 1027 average puts it in a tie with the Intel Core i7-5650U (0% delta), while the Intel i3-4340's 1026 average places it just behind the same rival (-0.1%). Both chips sit at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they outperform roughly 28% of the processors in the database.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet shows two processors with identical core counts but divergent designs. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The similarities end there.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The AMD runs at 2.30 GHz base and boosts to 3.20 GHz. The Intel runs at 3.60 GHz base with no boost clock listed. The Intel's base clock is 1.30 GHz higher than the AMD's base, and 0.40 GHz higher than the AMD's boost.

TDP is the biggest differentiator. The AMD draws just 15 watts, while the Intel draws 54 watts. That is a 39-watt gap, making the AMD more than 3.5x more efficient in terms of thermal design power. Socket compatibility is entirely different: the AMD uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1150.

Process technology separates the two by a generation. The AMD is 14nm at GlobalFoundries; the Intel is 22nm at Intel. Transistor counts are 4,950 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 210 mm² versus 177 mm². Cache configurations differ as detailed above: the AMD has larger L1 and L2 per core, but the Intel has double the shared L3.

Memory support is generation-specific. The AMD supports DDR4, the Intel supports DDR3. Both are dual-channel, and neither supports ECC. The Intel has PCIe Gen 3 support, while the AMD's PCIe version is not specified. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 3 on the AMD versus Intel HD 4600 on the Intel.

Release dates are 2018-02-20 for the AMD and 2013-08-31 for the Intel. The AMD is listed as Active in production, while the Intel's status is not specified. Market segment for both is Desktop.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture: these two processors are performance twins with wildly different underlying designs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B wins all five benchmark comparisons, but the margins are 0% or 0.1%. No benchmark shows more than a 2-point difference. The average scores of 1027 versus 1026 are within 0.1% of each other.

The choice between them comes down to platform priorities, not raw performance. The AMD offers the same compute capability at 15 watts versus 54 watts, making it the obvious pick for power-constrained systems. It also brings a newer process node, DDR4 memory support, and Radeon Vega 3 graphics. The Intel counters with a higher base clock, larger L3 cache, PCIe Gen 3, and the familiarity of the Socket 1150 platform.

For a builder prioritizing efficiency, the AMD is the data-backed choice. For anyone already invested in DDR3 or Socket 1150, the Intel delivers equal performance without requiring a platform overhaul. The 28th percentile ranking for both chips indicates they sit in the lower-mid tier of overall CPU performance, suitable for basic desktop tasks and light workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B wins on efficiency. Its 15-watt TDP versus the Intel's 54-watt TDP makes it the superior choice for small form factor builds, fanless designs, or any system where heat and power draw matter. It also wins on manufacturing modernity, using a 14nm process versus 22nm, and it offers DDR4 support and Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics.

The Intel Core i3-4340 wins on clock speed and cache. Its 3.60 GHz base clock outpaces the AMD's 3.20 GHz boost, and its 4 MB shared L3 cache doubles the AMD's 2 MB. For workloads that favor raw clock frequency or larger cache capacity, the Intel may have a slight edge, even though the Cinebench results show no measurable difference.

In benchmark wins, the AMD takes all five head-to-head tests. Even when scores are tied, the data designates the AMD as the winner. The Intel wins zero head-to-head comparisons. However, the practical difference is negligible, a 0.1% delta in multi-core tests is within run-to-run variance.

For users with existing DDR3 memory or Socket 1150 motherboards, the Intel avoids new memory and platform costs. For new builds, the AMD's lower power draw and modern feature set make it the more forward-looking option. Both processors deliver the same Cinebench performance, so the decision rests entirely on platform compatibility and power requirements.