AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B vs Intel Core i3-N305 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B and Intel Core i3-N305 present a fascinating study in contrasting design philosophies, with benchmark results that defy simple categorization. The data reveals a clear split: Intel’s 8-core Gracemont part dominates in most Cinebench iterations, yet AMD’s older Zen-based chip delivers a stunning victory in the most demanding multi-threaded test. This head-to-head is not about a single winner, but about understanding where each architecture’s strengths and weaknesses lie.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-N305 establishes its authority early in the Cinebench R15 suite. In the multicore test, Intel scores 829 against AMD’s 692, a decisive 16.5% lead. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: Intel’s 164.7 dwarfs AMD’s 97, a staggering 41.1% advantage. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20, where Intel wins multicore with 3349 versus 2884 (a 13.9% gap) and single-core with 472 versus 406 (a 14% lead). The story in these tests is consistent: Intel’s newer Gracemont cores, despite their efficiency focus, are significantly faster per-thread and scale better across its 8 cores.

However, the narrative flips dramatically in Cinebench R23. Here, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B posts a multicore score of 6867, while the Intel Core i3-N305 manages only 5092. This represents a 34.9% victory for AMD—a massive reversal. This anomaly is puzzling given the R15 and R20 results, suggesting that the R23 workload’s longer duration or specific instruction mix favors AMD’s Zen architecture in a way the shorter tests do not. In the R23 single-core test, Intel still wins, but barely: 995 versus 969, a slim 2.6% margin. This shows that AMD’s single-threaded performance is not categorically inferior, only that Intel holds a consistent, if sometimes narrow, edge in most scenarios.

Overall, the head-to-head tally shows Intel winning 5 of 6 tests. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—AMD at 1986 and Intel at 1979—placing both at the 44th percentile of all CPUs. Intel’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-7600K (1976, a 0.1% delta) and the Xeon E3-1245 v5 (1973, a 0.3% delta), while AMD’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-8279U (1987, a 0% delta). This confirms that while the two chips trade blows, they occupy the same performance tier overall.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i3-N305 is the superior choice for users prioritizing consistent single-threaded performance and shorter-duration multi-threaded workloads. Its R15 and R20 multicore wins, combined with decisive single-core leads across all tests, make it the safer pick for responsive day-to-day tasks and lightly-threaded applications. The 41.1% R15 single-core margin is particularly telling; it suggests Intel’s cores are far more efficient at executing short, bursty operations.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B, however, is the surprise winner for sustained, heavy multi-threaded loads. Its 34.9% victory in R23 multicore is not a small fluctuation—it is a dominant performance that cannot be ignored. If a workload runs long enough to trigger the conditions that favor AMD, the V1756B will outperform the i3-N305 by a wide margin. Users with applications that stress all cores for extended periods should favor AMD, despite its losses elsewhere.

There is no universal winner. The choice depends entirely on workload duration and thread utilization. For mixed use, Intel’s consistency is appealing. For dedicated multi-core crunching, AMD’s R23 result makes it the only logical pick. The data does not support a recommendation for one over the other without knowing the specific software environment.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B uses the Zen architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,950 million transistors. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.25 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 128 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 2 MB of shared L3. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory and integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The chip is designated for the desktop market segment, uses the AMD Socket FP5, and has a TDP of 45 watts.

The Intel Core i3-N305, in contrast, uses the Gracemont architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process. It is a mobile part with 8 cores and 8 threads—no hyper-threading—running at a nominal base clock of 100.00 MHz (a figure that reflects a low-power idle state) and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Its cache is organized differently: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, albeit in a single-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. It also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only) and integrates UHD Graphics 770. The TDP is significantly lower at 15 watts, and it uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket.

These differences explain the benchmark results. Intel’s 8 cores give it a raw multi-threaded advantage in most tests, while its newer process node and architecture yield superior single-thread performance. AMD’s higher TDP and older process suggest it relies on higher power draw to achieve its R23 multicore result. The memory channels also differ: AMD’s dual-channel setup versus Intel’s single-channel, which could impact memory-intensive workloads despite Intel’s higher theoretical bandwidth.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-N305 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B boosts to 3.60 GHz.

Q: How do their multi-core R20 scores compare?

A: Intel wins with 3349 points, leading AMD’s 2884 by 13.9%.

Q: Is the AMD chip ever faster than the Intel chip in multi-core tests?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 multicore, AMD scores 6867 versus Intel’s 5092, a 34.9% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i3-N305 is rated at 15 watts.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No, both the AMD and Intel chips list ECC memory support as false.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has an average score of 1986, slightly above Intel’s 1979.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-N305 is the clear winner in tasks requiring rapid, short-lived processing. Its 41.1% lead in R15 single-core makes it ideal for responsive user interfaces, quick file operations, and applications that depend on low-latency single-thread execution. Its wins in R15 and R20 multicore—by 16.5% and 13.9% respectively—indicate it handles moderately parallel workloads like web browsing with many tabs, office productivity, or light content creation with better efficiency. Its 15-watt TDP also makes it suited for fanless or passively-cooled mobile designs where power draw is a primary concern.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B wins exclusively in the Cinebench R23 multicore test, but it wins big. This points to a specific strength: sustained, heavily-threaded computational tasks. Rendering, scientific simulations, or video encoding that run for minutes or hours could see a substantial benefit from AMD’s 34.9% advantage in this workload. Its dual-channel memory support and 45-watt TDP suggest it is designed for systems where performance per watt is less critical than raw throughput over time. For a desktop embedded application that must grind through long batch jobs, the V1756B is the data-backed choice.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are as follows:

• Cores: AMD has 4, Intel has 8.
• Threads: AMD has 8, Intel has 8.
• Base Clock: AMD is 3.25 GHz, Intel is 100.00 MHz (nominal).
• Boost Clock: AMD is 3.60 GHz, Intel is 3.80 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is 45 watts, Intel is 15 watts.
• Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FP5, Intel uses Intel BGA 1264.
• Process Node: AMD is 14 nm, Intel is 10 nm.
• Foundry: AMD is GlobalFoundries, Intel is Intel.
• L1 Cache: AMD has 128 KB per core, Intel has 96 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD has 512 KB per core, Intel has 2 MB per module.
• L3 Cache: AMD has 2 MB shared, Intel has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Support: AMD supports DDR4, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5.
• Memory Bus: AMD is dual-channel, Intel is single-channel.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD has no listed figure, Intel is 38.4 GB/s.
• PCIe: AMD has no listed figure, Intel is Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only).
• Integrated Graphics: AMD is Radeon Vega 8, Intel is UHD Graphics 770.
• Market Segment: AMD is Desktop, Intel is Mobile.
• Release Date: AMD is 2018-02-20, Intel is 2023-01-02.
• Launch MSRP: AMD has none listed, Intel is $309.
• Part Number: AMD has none listed, Intel is SRMDQ.