AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B vs Intel Core i5-7600K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B and Intel Core i5-7600K are both 14 nm quad-core desktop processors, yet they address entirely different performance profiles. The data shows a clean sweep for the AMD part across every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison, with the Ryzen Embedded V1756B winning all six benchmarks by a consistent margin. The Intel Core i5-7600K counters with a higher base clock, a higher boost clock, and an unlocked multiplier, but the benchmark results indicate that raw frequency does not translate into rendering superiority here. This analysis breaks down where each processor wins based on the provided benchmark data, their architectural differences, and the implications for potential users.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is the unequivocal winner in every measured multi-threaded and single-threaded workload included in the FACT PACK. It holds a perfect 6-0 record over the Intel Core i5-7600K in the head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD part’s advantage is rooted in its simultaneous multithreading (SMT), providing 8 threads versus the Intel’s 4 threads, which directly benefits multi-core rendering tasks like Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 6867 against the Intel’s 5792, an 18.6% lead. Even in single-core tests, where the Intel’s higher 4.20 GHz boost clock should theoretically help, the AMD still wins by 18.3% to 18.6% across all Cinebench versions. This suggests the Zen architecture’s efficiency per clock outperforms Kaby Lake in these specific workloads.

The Intel Core i5-7600K has no benchmark wins in this dataset. Its strengths lie outside the measured Cinebench tests, specifically in its feature set rather than its rendering scores. The Intel part offers an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, which is a capability the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B lacks (its multiplier is locked). Additionally, the Intel part provides a higher base clock (3.80 GHz vs 3.25 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 3.60 GHz). In the broader context, the Intel’s average benchmark score of 1976 is nearly identical to the AMD’s 1986, placing both at the 44th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-N305 (avg score 1979) and the Intel Core i7-10810U (avg score 1971), while the AMD’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8279U (avg score 1987) and the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X (avg score 1992). This indicates that in overall average performance, the two are essentially peers, but the AMD wins decisively in the specific Cinebench suite.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their underlying designs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is built on the Zen architecture (codename “Zen”), part of the Ryzen Embedded 1000 series (Great Horned Owl generation), fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. It integrates 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Its cache layout includes 128 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a modest 2 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-7600K, by contrast, uses the Kaby Lake architecture (same generation name), fabricated by Intel on its own 14 nm process. The Intel part has smaller per-core caches: 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD’s L3 cache is smaller, yet its larger L1 and L2 caches per core likely contribute to its superior single-thread performance in the benchmarks.

Threading is the most critical architectural split. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B supports 8 threads across its 4 cores, while the Intel Core i5-7600K is limited to 4 threads on its 4 cores. This doubles the AMD’s logical processing capacity, which is directly reflected in its multi-core benchmark leads. The AMD also operates at a lower thermal design power (TDP) of 45 watts, versus the Intel’s 91 watts, making the AMD significantly more power-efficient for the performance delivered. The Intel part uses the Socket 1151 and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD uses Socket FP5. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory, but the Intel part lists a specific memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the AMD’s memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. The Intel part features an unlocked multiplier (part number SR32V), enabling overclocking, while the AMD’s multiplier is locked. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD includes Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel includes HD 630. Neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniform and decisive. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B scores 692 against the Intel Core i5-7600K’s 583, an 18.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the AMD at 97 versus the Intel’s 82, an 18.3% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD wins multi-core with 2884 against 2432 (18.6% delta), and single-core with 406 against 343 (18.4% delta). In the latest Cinebench R23, the AMD scores 6867 in multi-core versus 5792 for the Intel, an 18.6% delta, and 969 in single-core versus 817, also an 18.6% delta. The consistency of these deltas—ranging from 18.3% to 18.7%—is striking. It suggests a fixed performance gap that scales evenly across all Cinebench versions, regardless of whether the test is single-threaded or multi-threaded.

The Intel Core i5-7600K does have additional benchmark data not present for the AMD: Geekbench multi-core score of 4239 and single-core score of 1522. However, since no corresponding AMD Geekbench scores exist in the FACT PACK, these cannot be compared directly. The Intel’s average benchmark score of 1976 is slightly lower than the AMD’s average of 1986. The AMD’s percentile vs all CPUs is 44, matching the Intel’s percentile of 44. Notably, the AMD’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-8279U, has an average score of 1987 with a delta of 0%, meaning the AMD is statistically tied with that part. The Intel Core i5-7600K’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-N305, has an average score of 1979 with a delta of -0.1%, also a statistical tie. This reinforces that the two processors sit in the same performance tier overall, but the AMD’s Cinebench wins are unambiguous.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is the superior processor for any workload represented by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. It wins every single test by roughly 18-19%, and it does so while consuming a 45-watt TDP compared to the Intel’s 91 watts. For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded responsiveness in these specific benchmarks, the AMD is the clear choice. The fact that it wins single-core tests by the same margin as multi-core tests indicates that its Zen cores are simply more efficient than Kaby Lake cores at the same task, despite the Intel’s higher clock speeds. The AMD’s 8 threads provide a structural advantage that the Intel cannot overcome.

The Intel Core i5-7600K is only preferable if overclocking is a primary requirement. Its unlocked multiplier and higher boost clock (4.20 GHz) offer headroom that the locked AMD cannot match. However, the benchmark data does not include any overclocked results, so any performance gains from overclocking are speculative. The Intel also has a larger L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB), which could benefit certain workloads not measured here, but the provided Cinebench data does not reflect such an advantage. Given the perfect 6-0 sweep by the AMD and its significantly lower TDP, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is the data-backed recommendation for general computing and rendering tasks. The Intel’s only rationale is its overclocking capability, which is unproven in this dataset.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B wins decisively, scoring 6867 against the Intel Core i5-7600K’s 5792, a delta of 18.6%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-7600K have any benchmark wins over the AMD?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the AMD winning all 6 tests (Cinebench R15, R20, R23 in both single-core and multi-core variants), with the Intel recording 0 wins.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has an average benchmark score of 1986, while the Intel Core i5-7600K has an average score of 1976. Both sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-7600K has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor supports overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier, indicating overclocking support. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has a locked multiplier.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i5-7600K has a TDP of 91 watts, making the AMD significantly more power-efficient.