AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 vs Intel Core i7-6900K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 across every benchmark in the comparison set. The Intel Core i7-6900K does not win a single head-to-head test. The AMD part leads by a consistent margin of roughly 7% in all six comparisons, which points to a uniform performance advantage rather than workload-specific strengths.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 scores 1350 against the Intel Core i7-6900K's 1254, a 7.1% deficit for the Intel chip. The single-core test in R15 shows the AMD part at 190 versus 176, a 7.4% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 5626 for AMD against 5226 for Intel, again a 7.1% difference. The R20 single-core test records 794 for AMD and 737 for Intel, a 7.2% margin.

Cinebench R23 multicore delivers the largest absolute gap: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 reaches 13396, while the Intel Core i7-6900K manages 12444. That is a 952-point difference, translating to the same 7.1% delta seen in the other multicore tests. In R23 single-core, AMD posts 1891 versus Intel's 1756, a 7.1% advantage.

The consistency of these numbers is striking. Every delta falls between 7.1% and 7.4%, which suggests the performance difference is architectural and scales uniformly across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. There is no test where the Intel part closes the gap or flips the result. The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 is simply the faster processor in this matchup, regardless of whether the workload is lightly threaded or heavily parallel.

It is worth remembering both processors share the same core and thread counts: 8 cores and 16 threads. This means the AMD advantage is not derived from having more execution resources. Instead, the higher clock rates and newer microarchitecture are the likely drivers, though the raw numbers alone do not isolate those factors. What the benchmarks clearly show is a systematic edge for the AMD part.

The Verdict

The verdict from the benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 outperforms the Intel Core i7-6900K in every recorded test. Six wins for AMD, zero for Intel, with deltas ranging from 7.1% to 7.4%. No benchmark in this database places the Intel part ahead.

Buyers should choose the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 if their priority is raw compute performance. The data shows it is faster in single-core and multicore workloads, with the margin holding steady across three generations of Cinebench tests. The AMD part also offers a much lower thermal design power, 10 watts against 140 watts for the Intel chip. That is a fourteen-fold difference in the power envelope, though the benchmark scores do not account for sustained performance under thermal constraints.

The Intel Core i7-6900K retains relevance only in specific circumstances. It has a higher aggregate benchmark score in the database, 3970 against 3875 for AMD, and a slightly better percentile ranking at 57 versus 56. However, those figures come from a broader benchmark set that includes Geekbench results, where the Intel part records 8774 multicore and 1392 single-core. The AMD part has no Geekbench entry in the database, so a direct comparison on that suite is not possible. Within the Cinebench tests that both processors share, AMD wins every time.

The Intel part also supports quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes, while the AMD part is dual-channel with 20 lanes. For users who need extreme memory bandwidth or many expansion slots, the Intel platform may be the only option. But for compute performance as measured by Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 is the clear winner.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras and use fundamentally different approaches. The Intel Core i7-6900K is built on Broadwell-E, a 14 nm architecture from Intel, with a die size of 246 mm² and 3,400 million transistors. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 uses Zen 2, codenamed Renoir, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. The AMD die is smaller at 156 mm² but packs far more transistors at 9,800 million. The smaller process node allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Intel part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part matches the 64 KB L1 per core but doubles the L2 to 512 KB per core, while its shared L3 is only 8 MB. The Intel chip has more total L3 cache, which can benefit certain workloads, but the AMD chip's larger L2 may compensate in other scenarios. The benchmark results suggest that the AMD cache hierarchy works well enough to maintain its lead.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 includes integrated graphics, a Radeon Graphics 448SP unit, while the Intel Core i7-6900K has no integrated graphics at all. This is a meaningful architectural difference for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU. The Intel part requires a separate graphics card, while the AMD part can handle basic display duties on its own.

Memory architecture also diverges. The Intel part uses a quad-channel DDR4 interface with a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The AMD part uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. Despite having less memory bandwidth on paper, the AMD part still wins all compute benchmarks. The Intel part supports ECC memory, but the AMD part does include ECC support, which is a notable feature for embedded and server-style workloads.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals several clear differences between the two processors. Clock speeds are a major differentiator. The Intel Core i7-6900K has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz, which is lower, but its boost clock reaches 4.15 GHz, significantly higher than the Intel part's boost. The higher boost clock likely explains the AMD part's single-core advantage.

Thermal design power is another stark difference. The Intel part is rated at 140 watts, while the AMD part is rated at just 10 watts. This is a massive efficiency gap. The AMD processor delivers better performance while consuming a fraction of the power budget, which makes it suitable for fanless or low-power embedded designs.

Sockets and platforms are incompatible. The Intel part uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the AMD part uses AMD Socket FP6. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the AMD part does not. Release dates are far apart: the Intel part launched on 2016-05-30, while the AMD part arrived on 2020-11-09. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active in production.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Intel part provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD part offers Gen 3 with 20 lanes. Memory channels differ: quad-channel for Intel, dual-channel for AMD. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $1089, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 scores 13396 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i7-6900K scores 12444. The AMD part leads by 7.1%.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Core i7-6900K and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 have 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-6900K has a TDP of 140 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 has a TDP of 10 watts.

Q: Does the AMD processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 includes Radeon Graphics with 448 SP. The Intel Core i7-6900K has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-6900K does not support ECC memory.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-6900K supports quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 supports dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 wins every benchmark in this comparison. Its most decisive victories come in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 13396 against 12444, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 1891 against 1756. The AMD part also wins in R15 and R20, both multicore and single-core, with margins between 7.1% and 7.4%. For any workload measured by Cinebench, the AMD part is the faster choice.

The AMD part also wins on power efficiency. Its 10-watt TDP is dramatically lower than the Intel part's 140 watts. This makes it the obvious selection for embedded systems, passively cooled designs, or any application where heat dissipation and power consumption are critical constraints. The AMD part also includes integrated graphics, which eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios.

The Intel Core i7-6900K has no benchmark wins in this head-to-head set, but it does hold advantages in other recorded metrics. Its average benchmark score across all tests is 3970, compared to 3875 for the AMD part, and its percentile ranking is 57 versus 56. The Intel part also offers quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, which is 50% higher than the AMD part's 51.2 GB/s. For memory-intensive workloads that are not captured in Cinebench, the Intel platform may be preferable.

The Intel part also provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, double the AMD part's 20 lanes. Systems requiring many NVMe drives, GPUs, or expansion cards will benefit from the Intel part's greater I/O capacity. The unlocked multiplier on the Intel part allows overclocking, which could close some of the performance gap in the hands of an enthusiast, though the recorded data does not include overclocked results.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 is the performance winner in every shared benchmark, with a massive efficiency advantage. The Intel Core i7-6900K remains relevant only for users who need quad-channel memory, more PCIe lanes, or an unlocked multiplier, and who are willing to accept higher power draw and lower Cinebench scores. For general compute performance, the data points firmly to the AMD part.