AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 vs Intel Core i9-9900KS Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data for the Intel Core i9-9900KS and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 is remarkably consistent. Across all six shared Cinebench tests, the Intel part wins every single comparison. The margins are tight but uniform, ranging from 4.8% to 5.0%. This is not a case of one chip dominating in one workload and losing in another; it is a steady, predictable advantage for Intel across the entire benchmark suite.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i9-9900KS scores 1657 against the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748's 1579, a 4.9% delta. The single-core R15 test shows a 5% gap, with scores of 233 and 222 respectively. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 6907 for Intel versus 6580 for AMD, again a 5% difference, while the single-core test lands at 974 versus 929, a 4.8% margin. The newest Cinebench R23 tests tell the same story: multicore 16446 versus 15668 (5% delta) and single-core 2321 versus 2212 (4.9% delta).

What stands out is the consistency of the percentage gaps. Whether the workload is single-threaded or fully threaded, the Intel chip maintains almost exactly the same lead. This suggests the performance difference stems from a fundamental architectural edge rather than workload-specific optimizations. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 4738, while the AMD part sits at 4532, a difference of roughly 4.5% overall. The Intel chip also ranks at the 59th percentile among all CPUs in the database, just one point above the AMD chip's 58th percentile.

The nearest rival data places each chip in different competitive neighborhoods. The Intel Core i9-9900KS is bracketed by the Intel Core i7-6950X (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i9-10900E (0.6% ahead), the AMD EPYC 7252 (0.7% behind), and the Intel Xeon W-1290E (0.8% behind). The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 sits near the Intel Core i5-1340P (0.3% behind), the Intel Core i7-10700KF (0.3% behind), the Intel Xeon E-2356G (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i5-1250P (0.4% ahead). These groupings show that while the two chips are close to each other, they align with different performance tiers in the broader market.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9900KS wins in every measured benchmark category, but the nature of those wins matters. In single-core tests, the Intel chip's 5% advantage is driven by its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz compared to the AMD chip's 4.25 GHz. This translates directly to snappier response in lightly threaded applications, legacy software, and tasks that rely on a single fast core. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2321 versus 2212 illustrates this advantage clearly.

In multicore workloads, the picture is slightly different. Both chips have 8 cores and 16 threads, so the Intel advantage here is not about core count. The Intel chip maintains a 5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore (16446 versus 15668) despite running at a lower base clock of 4.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz on the AMD chip. The Intel part's ability to boost all cores effectively, combined with its larger 16 MB shared L3 cache, helps it sustain performance under full load.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 does not win any of the shared benchmarks, but its profile suggests strengths in other areas. Its 35W TDP is dramatically lower than the Intel chip's 127W TDP, indicating far better power efficiency per unit of performance. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, a feature the Intel chip lacks, which matters for data integrity in embedded and server-like workloads. Its smaller 156 mm² die size on a 7 nm process, versus Intel's 180 mm² die on 14 nm, shows a more modern manufacturing approach.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel chip is the clear choice based on data. For multicore throughput, the Intel chip also wins, but the margin is slim enough that the AMD chip's efficiency advantages become relevant in power-constrained environments. The AMD part's active production status, versus the Intel chip's end-of-life status, also factors into long-term availability considerations.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node, manufactured by TSMC. This process advantage allows AMD to pack 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, while Intel manages a smaller transistor count in a larger 180 mm² die.

Core and cache layouts diverge significantly. Both chips have 8 cores and 16 threads, and both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. However, the AMD chip doubles the L2 cache to 512 KB per core, while the Intel chip has 256 KB per core. The L3 cache tells a different story: Intel provides 16 MB of shared L3, while AMD provides only 8 MB shared. This means the Intel chip has more total cache at the last level, while the AMD chip has more per-core L2 cache for faster localized access.

Memory support shows both similarities and differences. Both chips support DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus. The AMD chip has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, compared to the Intel chip's 42.7 GB/s. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. For PCIe, the AMD chip offers 20 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip offers 16 Gen 3 lanes. The AMD chip also integrates Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors, while the Intel chip uses UHD 630 integrated graphics.

Clock speeds reveal the Intel chip's aggressive tuning. Its base clock of 4.00 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz both exceed the AMD chip's 2.90 GHz base and 4.25 GHz boost. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the AMD chip's multiplier is locked. The Intel chip also has a higher TDP of 127W versus 35W for the AMD chip, reflecting its higher clock speeds and older process node.

The release timelines differ by roughly a year. The Intel chip launched in October 2019, while the AMD chip launched in November 2020. The Intel chip is now end-of-life, while the AMD chip remains in active production. The Intel chip had a launch MSRP of $513, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD chip.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-9900KS outperforms the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 in every shared test, with margins consistently between 4.8% and 5%. For users who prioritize raw CPU performance, the Intel chip is the better choice. Its higher clock speeds, larger L3 cache, and unlocked multiplier make it suitable for desktop workloads where performance per core and maximum throughput are the primary goals.

However, the AMD chip's advantages are not captured in the Cinebench scores alone. Its 35W TDP is less than a third of the Intel chip's 127W, which has major implications for thermal management, power delivery, and operating costs in embedded deployments. The ECC memory support adds reliability for data-sensitive applications. The smaller die size and newer process node suggest better manufacturing efficiency. The active production status means the chip remains available for new designs, whereas the Intel chip is end-of-life.

The choice between these two comes down to the use case. For a desktop system where power consumption is not a constraint and maximum performance is desired, the Intel Core i9-9900KS delivers measurably better results. For an embedded system where power efficiency, ECC memory, and long-term availability matter more than a 5% performance difference, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 is the more practical option. The data does not declare a universal winner; it declares a performance winner and an efficiency winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900KS scores 16446, which is 5% higher than the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748's 15668.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Intel chip leads by 4.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2321 versus 2212 for the AMD chip.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i9-9900KS does not.

Q: How much larger is the Intel chip's L3 cache?

A: The Intel chip has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD chip has 8 MB, exactly double.

Q: What are the power consumption ratings?

A: The Intel chip has a TDP of 127W, while the AMD chip has a TDP of 35W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-9900KS | AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.25 GHz |

| TDP | 127W | 35W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-R | Renoir |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 156 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | 16 (Gen 3) | 20 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 | Radeon Graphics 448SP |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2019-10-27 | 2020-11-09 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SRG1Q | 100-000000245 |

| Launch MSRP | $513 | Not specified |