AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8709G and AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B are both 4-core, 8-thread processors built on a 14 nm process, but they target different worlds: one is a mobile part with a powerful integrated GPU, the other a desktop-class embedded chip. The benchmark data shows the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B takes a narrow but consistent lead across every single and multi-threaded test in the Cinebench suite, while the Intel chip counters with its Kaby Lake G architecture and Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics. Neither processor breaks away from the pack; both sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are within 2% of each other. This is a comparison of margins, not mismatches, where the choice comes down to platform fit and the specific strengths of each integrated graphics solution.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but the margins are small. In multi-threaded workloads, it scores 692 in Cinebench R15 multi-core against 679 for the Intel part, a 1.9% advantage. That pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where it posts 2884 versus 2832, and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it records 6867 against 6743. The Ryzen chip also takes the single-threaded tests, though the differences are similarly slim: 97 versus 95 in R15 single-core, 406 versus 399 in R20 single-core, and 969 versus 952 in R23 single-core. For pure CPU compute in the Cinebench suite, the AMD part is the one to pick.

The Intel Core i7-8709G does not win a single benchmark in this comparison, but it brings other assets to the table. Its integrated graphics are the Radeon RX Vega M GH, a notably more capable GPU than the Radeon Vega 8 found in the AMD chip. While the database does not record graphics benchmarks for either part, the difference in GPU class is a major factor for anyone who needs compute without a discrete card. The Intel part is also built around Kaby Lake G, a design that pairs a high-end GPU with the CPU in a single package, which makes it a candidate for compact systems that would otherwise struggle to fit a separate graphics card.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 4-core, 8-thread configuration and a 14 nm process node, but the underlying designs diverge significantly. The Intel Core i7-8709G uses the Kaby Lake architecture, with a generation listed as Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G), and was released on January 31, 2018. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B uses the Zen architecture, with a generation listed as Ryzen Embedded (Zen (Great Horned Owl)), and was released on February 20, 2018. Both are listed as Active in production status.

The cache layouts differ notably. The Intel chip offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip offers 128 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, but only 2 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has a much smaller L3 pool, yet it still manages to edge out the Intel chip in the recorded benchmarks, which suggests its per-core cache hierarchy and Zen architecture compensate for the smaller shared cache.

Other specification differences are visible. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has a base clock of 3.25 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8709G runs at 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The Intel chip has the higher boost ceiling but the AMD part starts from a higher base. The AMD chip is rated at 45 W TDP, while the Intel part is rated at 65 W. The AMD chip uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the memory bus for the Intel part is not recorded. The Intel chip uses a 14 nm process from Intel, while the AMD chip uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The AMD part reports 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel part does not list transistor count or die size in the database. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory without ECC, and the Intel chip also supports DDR4 without ECC. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP5. The Intel part is classified as Mobile, while the AMD part is classified as Desktop. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 692 against 679 for the Intel part, a 1.9% difference. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 97 against 95, a 2.1% difference. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 2884 against 2832, a 1.8% difference. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD chip scores 406 against 399, a 1.7% difference. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 6867 against 6743, a 1.8% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 969 against 952, a 1.8% difference.

The biggest single percentage gap is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the AMD part leads by 2.1%. The smallest gap is in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the lead is 1.7%. Across the board, the AMD chip is ahead by roughly 1.7% to 2.1%, which is a consistent but modest edge. These are not the kind of margins that will transform a workload, but they do indicate that the Zen-based design holds a slight performance advantage in this CPU-bound rendering test suite.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the closeness of the matchup. The Intel Core i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has an average score of 1986. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core i5-1035G7 at an average score of 1948 with a 0.1% delta, the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 at 1947 with a 0.2% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE at 1954 with a 0.2% delta. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Intel Core i5-8279U at an average score of 1987 with a 0% delta, the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 at 1989 with a 0.2% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X at 1992 with a 0.3% delta. Both processors land in the same performance neighborhood as a cluster of mid-range desktop and mobile parts.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion for CPU compute: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is the faster processor in every recorded Cinebench test, but the advantage is narrow, never exceeding 2.1%. Anyone picking between these two should weigh that small lead against the platform differences carefully. The Intel Core i7-8709G carries a 65 W TDP and a mobile classification, along with the Radeon Vega 8 GPU in the AMD part being a much more basic integrated graphics option. If the workload leans on the CPU alone, the AMD part wins on the recorded numbers. If the workload involves graphics compute, the Intel part becomes the more interesting choice due to its Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics, which is a different class of GPU than the Radeon Vega 8. The AMD chip also offers a 45 W TDP rating and a dual-channel memory bus, which makes sense for a desktop-class embedded part. The Intel chip counters with an 8 MB shared L3 cache and a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz, though that boost advantage does not translate into a win in the recorded benchmarks. The AMD chip wins 6 of 6 head-to-head tests, and the Intel chip wins 0. The verdict is clear for raw CPU performance: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is the pick. For systems where the integrated GPU matters more than a small CPU edge, the Intel Core i7-8709G deserves consideration.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B is faster in all three multi-threaded tests, with scores of 692 in R15, 2884 in R20, and 6867 in R23, against 679, 2832, and 6743 for the Intel Core i7-8709G.

Q: How much of a lead does the AMD chip have in single-threaded tests?

A: The AMD chip leads by 2.1% in R15 single-core, 1.7% in R17, and 1.8% in R20 single-core, with scores of 97, 406, and 969 versus 95, 399, and 952 for the Intel part.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B has an average score of 1986, a difference of 36 points.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither processor supports ECC memory. Both list DDR4 memory support only.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two processors?

A: The Intel part is rated at 65 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 45 W TDP.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, with 4 cores and 8 threads for the Intel Core i7-8709G and 4 cores and 8 threads for the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i7-8709G and AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B differ in several key specification fields. The Intel part uses a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the AMD part uses a base clock of 3.25 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Intel part has a TDP of 65 W, while the AMD part has a TDP of 45 W. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP5. The Intel part uses the Kaby Lake architecture with a generation listed as Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G, released on 2018-01-31, while the AMD part uses the Zen architecture with a generation listed as Ryzen Embedded (Zen (Great Horned Owl)), released on 2018-02-20. The Intel part has an L1 cache of 64 KB per core, an L2 cache of 256 KB per core, and an L3 cache of 8 MB shared, while the AMD part has an L1 cache of 128 KB per core, an L2 cache of 512 KB per core, and an L3 cache of 2 MB shared. The Intel part uses a 14 nm process from Intel, while the AMD part uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Intel part does not list transistor count or die size, while the AMD part lists 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel part has Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics, while the AMD part has Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel part is classified as Mobile, while the AMD part is classified as Desktop, and the AMD part lists a dual-channel memory bus, while the Intel part does not list a memory bus. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.