AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 vs Intel Core i5-10400 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 posts a higher average benchmark score of 14336, compared to 14037 for the Intel Core i5-10400. This places the AMD part in the 69th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 68th percentile.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded rendering workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400 edges out the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 across all Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 8316 versus AMD's 8207, a 1.3% advantage. The same 1.3% delta appears in R15 multi-core (838 vs 827) and R20 multi-core (3492 vs 3446).

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400 wins every single-threaded benchmark. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1174 versus AMD's 1158, a 1.4% lead. The gap widens dramatically in PassMark single-thread, where Intel scores 2560 against AMD's 1609, a 59.1% advantage.

Q: Are there any workloads where the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 beats the Intel part?

A: Yes, in PassMark data encryption, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 delivers a score of 8046 versus Intel's 4078, representing a 49.3% advantage for AMD. This is the only benchmark win for AMD out of 17 head-to-head tests.

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

A: Both processors feature 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-10400 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.95 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes and what generation are they?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 provides 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i5-10400 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split personality. The Intel Core i5-10400 dominates the head-to-head benchmark results, winning 16 of 17 tests. Its advantages range from modest in Cinebench workloads (1.3% to 1.7% deltas) to overwhelming in PassMark integer math (35.7% ahead), floating-point math (40.7% ahead), and random string sorting (66.6% ahead). For general desktop workloads, content creation, and single-threaded applications, the Intel part is the clear choice.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546, despite its lone benchmark win, holds its own in the aggregate. Its average benchmark score of 14336 actually exceeds Intel's 14037, and its 69th percentile ranking is one point higher. This suggests that in real-world mixed workloads, the AMD part is competitive. The AMD processor also brings distinct platform advantages: ECC memory support, a smaller 7 nm process node, and a significantly lower 35 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W TDP.

For buyers prioritizing raw compute throughput in standard desktop tasks, the Intel Core i5-10400 is the verdict. For those needing ECC memory, lower power consumption, or a more modern manufacturing process, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 offers compelling reasons. The AMD part's 35 W TDP makes it particularly suitable for compact or passively cooled systems where the Intel part's 65 W TDP would be prohibitive.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-10400 establishes its dominance across nearly every benchmark category. The most striking margin appears in PassMark random string sorting, where Intel scores 23206 against AMD's 13926, a 66.6% advantage. This indicates substantial superiority in memory access patterns and cache efficiency for sorting operations. Similarly, PassMark single-thread performance shows Intel at 2560 versus AMD's 1609, a 59.1% gap that reflects Intel's higher 4.30 GHz boost clock against AMD's 3.95 GHz.

In compute-heavy integer workloads, Intel maintains a 35.7% lead in PassMark integer math (41715 vs 30739) and a 40.7% lead in floating-point math (26080 vs 18534). The PassMark extended instructions test shows Intel ahead by 42.1% (12501 vs 8799), and the find prime numbers test reveals a 54.5% Intel advantage (34 vs 22). PassMark physics also favors Intel strongly, with scores of 669 versus 441, a 51.7% delta.

The Cinebench suite tells a closer story. Across all three versions (R15, R20, R23), Intel's multi-core advantage is consistent at 1.3%, with scores of 838 vs 827, 3492 vs 3446, and 8316 vs 8207 respectively. Single-core Cinebench tests show Intel ahead by 1.4% to 1.7%: R15 single-core at 118 vs 116, R20 single-core at 493 vs 486, and R23 single-core at 1174 vs 1158. These margins are narrow, indicating that both processors deliver comparable per-core performance in rendering workloads.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546's single victory in PassMark data encryption is decisive. AMD scores 8046 against Intel's 4078, a 49.3% advantage. This suggests that AMD's Zen 2 architecture includes hardware acceleration for encryption operations that Intel's Comet Lake lacks. In PassMark multithread, Intel leads 12006 to 9656, a 24.3% advantage, and in data compression Intel leads 187207 to 136097, a 37.6% margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their specifications. The Intel Core i5-10400 operates on a 14 nm process node manufactured by Intel, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 uses a 7 nm process from TSMC. AMD's transistor count is listed at 9,800 million with a die size of 156 mm², while Intel's transistor count and die size are not provided in the data.

Clock speeds differ notably. Intel has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. AMD has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.95 GHz. The TDP gap is substantial: Intel draws 65 W while AMD draws only 35 W.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but Intel has 256 KB of L2 cache per core while AMD has 512 KB per core. Intel's L3 cache is larger at 12 MB shared, versus AMD's 8 MB shared. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel's 42.7 GB/s, though both support dual-channel DDR4.

Platform features separate the two further. Intel uses Socket 1200 while AMD uses Socket FP6. Intel provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes; AMD provides 20. Intel's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630, while AMD offers Radeon Graphics with 384 SP. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not. Intel's part number is SRH3CSRH78, and AMD's is 100-000000246. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-10400 is built on the Comet Lake architecture, part of the Core 10th Gen family, and uses a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, manufactured on TSMC's 7 nm process. This architectural divergence explains several performance characteristics.

AMD's Zen 2 design incorporates a chiplet approach with a separate I/O die, which enables the higher 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. The 7 nm process allows AMD to pack 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, contributing to the lower 35 W TDP. Intel's Comet Lake, by contrast, is a monolithic design on a mature 14 nm process, which historically offers higher clock speeds — evident in the 4.30 GHz boost versus AMD's 3.95 GHz.

Cache hierarchies reflect different design philosophies. Intel allocates 256 KB L2 per core and a large 12 MB shared L3, while AMD doubles L2 to 512 KB per core but reduces shared L3 to 8 MB. The larger L3 on Intel likely contributes to its strong PassMark random string sorting result. AMD's larger L2 per core may help in data encryption, where it holds a 49.3% advantage.

The AMD part's 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion headroom than Intel's 16 lanes. AMD's ECC memory support is a significant architectural feature for reliability-focused embedded or server applications. Both processors are locked (multiplier not unlocked) and target the desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-10400 wins in virtually every general-purpose compute scenario. Its 66.6% lead in random string sorting makes it ideal for database operations, text processing, and data serialization tasks. The 59.1% single-thread advantage suits everyday applications, web browsing, and legacy software that relies on single-core performance. The 54.5% lead in prime number finding indicates strength in mathematical and cryptographic workloads that are not hardware-accelerated.

For content creation, Intel's Cinebench multi-core wins, though narrow, show consistent superiority in rendering. The 35.7% integer math and 40.7% floating-point math leads make Intel the choice for scientific computing, financial modeling, and engineering simulations. The 42.1% extended instructions advantage points to better performance in SIMD-heavy code such as video encoding and image processing.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 wins decisively in data encryption, with a 49.3% advantage. This makes it the preferred option for VPN gateways, secure file servers, and any workload involving heavy AES encryption or decryption. The 35 W TDP makes AMD the winner in power-constrained environments, including fanless industrial PCs, network appliances, and embedded systems where cooling is limited. Its ECC memory support suits applications requiring data integrity, such as storage controllers or financial transaction processing.

AMD's higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s) and larger L2 cache per core provide advantages in memory-bound workloads, even though the aggregate benchmark scores show only a modest edge. The 20 PCIe lanes give AMD more flexibility for adding NVMe storage or multiple expansion cards. For users building compact, low-power systems with a focus on security and reliability, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546 is the clear winner. For everyone else seeking maximum raw performance, the Intel Core i5-10400 dominates.