AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 vs Intel Xeon W-1290E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon W-1290E wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons against the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748. The margin is remarkably consistent, hovering near 5% across every workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon posts 16510 against the Ryzen’s 15668, a 5.1% advantage. The single-core gap is identical in percentage terms: 2330 versus 2212 in R23, again 5.1% for Intel. This uniformity suggests a systematic performance edge rather than workload-specific variance.

The pattern holds in older Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 6934 versus 6580, a 5.1% lead. In R20 single-core, it is 978 versus 929, a 5% difference. The R15 results mirror this: 1664 versus 1579 in multi-core and 234 versus 222 in single-core, both 5.1% gaps. No test shows the AMD part ahead, and no test shows Intel’s margin growing or shrinking beyond the 5.0% to 5.1% band. This is a consistent, across-the-board performance superiority for the Xeon in every benchmark recorded.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the hierarchy. The Xeon W-1290E has an average score of 4775, placing it in the 59th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen V2748 averages 4532, sitting in the 58th percentile. The 243-point average gap is smaller than the head-to-head deltas might suggest, largely because the two chips draw different nearest rivals. The Ryzen’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-1340P with an average score of 4545, a delta of only 0.3%. The Xeon’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-1350P at 4776, a delta of 0.0%. Both chips sit in a crowded mid-range performance cluster, but the Xeon occupies a slightly higher tier within it.

The head-to-head results show no scenario where the Ryzen’s lower power envelope translates into a performance win. Even in single-threaded workloads, where the Ryzen’s Zen 2 architecture and higher boost clock relative to its base might be expected to shine, the Xeon’s 4.80 GHz boost clock and Comet Lake lineage carry the day. The data does not support any claim of AMD competitiveness in raw Cinebench throughput. The Xeon is simply faster, and it is faster by nearly the same amount in every test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 uses TSMC’s 7 nm process with a Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads into a 156 mm² die containing 9,800 million transistors. The Intel Xeon W-1290E uses Intel’s 14 nm process with a Comet Lake architecture, a 206 mm² die with 10 cores and 20 threads. Intel’s process node is older and larger, yet the Xeon still manages to outperform the AMD chip across the board, proof of its higher core count and clock speeds.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Xeon has 10 cores and 20 threads, a 25% advantage in both raw cores and threads. The Xeon’s base clock is 3.50 GHz versus 2.90 GHz for the Ryzen, and its boost clock is 4.80 GHz versus 4.25 GHz. These clock advantages compound the core count lead. The Ryzen’s L3 cache is 8 MB shared, while the Xeon offers 20 MB shared, a substantial 12 MB difference. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. L2 differs: the Ryzen has 512 KB per core, while the Xeon has 256 KB per core. The Ryzen’s larger L2 per core does not compensate for the Xeon’s larger L3 and higher clocks in the benchmark results.

Memory support is similar in type, both DDR4 dual-channel, but bandwidth differs. The Ryzen offers 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon offers 46.9 GB/s. The AMD part has a modest memory bandwidth advantage of 4.3 GB/s, yet this does not translate into a performance win. Both chips support ECC memory, a critical feature for embedded and workstation use. PCIe lanes also differ: the Ryzen provides Gen 3 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Ryzen offers more PCIe lanes, but again, this does not show up in the Cinebench scores.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen includes Radeon Graphics with 448 SPs, while the Xeon includes Intel UHD Graphics P630. Both are capable of display output, but the benchmark data does not cover graphics performance. The Ryzen’s TDP is 35 watts, while the Xeon’s is 95 watts, a 60-watt difference that reflects the Xeon’s higher clocks and core count. The Xeon draws substantially more power, but the database records no power consumption measurements, only the TDP figures. The Ryzen’s socket is AMD Socket FP6, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1200. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

The release dates are close: the Ryzen launched on November 9, 2020, while the Xeon launched on May 12, 2020, roughly six months earlier. The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $552, while the Ryzen’s launch MSRP is not recorded in the database. Both remain in active production.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw compute performance: the Intel Xeon W-1290E. It wins every Cinebench test, single-core and multi-core, with a consistent 5.0% to 5.1% margin. Its average benchmark score of 4775 exceeds the Ryzen’s 4532 by 243 points. The Xeon also holds a higher percentile ranking at 59 versus 58. For any workload measured by Cinebench, the Intel part is the better choice.

However, the verdict is not solely about performance. The Ryzen V2748 operates at a 35-watt TDP versus the Xeon’s 95 watts. This is a 60-watt difference, and for embedded applications where thermal management and power delivery are constrained, the Ryzen’s efficiency profile is a substantial advantage. The Ryzen also offers slightly higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s, and more PCIe lanes at 20 versus 16. These features do not appear in the Cinebench scores, but they matter in real-world embedded or workstation designs.

Who should pick which? Strictly from the recorded data, a user prioritizing maximum Cinebench throughput in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks should choose the Xeon W-1290E. It is faster in every measured scenario, and its 10 cores and 20 threads provide additional headroom for parallel workloads. The Xeon’s larger 20 MB L3 cache may also benefit certain data-heavy applications, though the database does not measure that directly.

Who should choose the Ryzen? A user operating within a strict power budget, where 35 watts versus 95 watts is a decisive factor, should favor the V2748. The performance deficit is roughly 5%, but the power savings are substantial. The Ryzen’s higher memory bandwidth and additional PCIe lanes are also recorded advantages, though their practical impact depends on the specific system configuration. For embedded deployments where cooling and power are scarce, the Ryzen’s lower TDP is a compelling reason to accept the small performance gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290E scores 16510, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 scores 15668, a 5.1% advantage for Intel.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290E has a TDP of 95 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 has a TDP of 35 watts, a 60-watt difference.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 and the Intel Xeon W-1290E support ECC memory, and both use dual-channel DDR4.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon W-1290E has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290E has an average benchmark score of 4775, compared to 4532 for the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748. The Xeon also ranks in the 59th percentile versus the Ryzen’s 58th.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Xeon W-1290E boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 boosts to 4.25 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W-1290E wins in every benchmark category recorded. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 5.1% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The scores are 1664 versus 1579 in R15, 6934 versus 6580 in R20, and 16510 versus 15668 in R23. In single-core, it leads by 5.1% in R15 and R23, and by 5.0% in R20. The single-core scores are 234 versus 222 in R15, 978 versus 929 in R20, and 2330 versus 2212 in R23. For any application that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or CPU compute, the Xeon is the clear winner.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 wins in efficiency specifications, though not in benchmark scores. Its TDP is 35 watts versus 95 watts for the Xeon, making it the lower-power option by a significant margin. The Ryzen also offers higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s, and more PCIe lanes at 20 versus 16. These are not compute wins, but they are system-level advantages. For designs where power consumption is a primary constraint, the Ryzen is the better fit. For designs where raw compute is paramount, the Xeon is the only choice based on the recorded data.

The Ryzen’s process node advantage, 7 nm versus 14 nm, likely contributes to its lower TDP, though the database does not directly measure efficiency per watt. The Xeon’s higher core count and clocks compensate for its older process, yielding the performance wins. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon W-1290E has 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for AMD and 3.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.25 GHz for AMD and 4.80 GHz for Intel. TDP is 35 watts for AMD and 95 watts for Intel. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1200.

The process nodes differ: AMD uses TSMC’s 7 nm, while Intel uses its own 14 nm. The die size is 156 mm² for AMD and 206 mm² for Intel. The Ryzen has 9,800 million transistors, while the Xeon’s transistor count is not recorded. L2 cache is 512 KB per core for AMD versus 256 KB per core for Intel. L3 cache is 8 MB shared for AMD versus 20 MB shared for Intel. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core.

Memory bandwidth differs: 51.2 GB/s for AMD versus 46.9 GB/s for Intel. PCIe lanes are 20 for AMD versus 16 for Intel, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Graphics with 448 SPs for AMD versus Intel UHD Graphics P630 for Intel. The market segments differ, with AMD classified as Desktop and Intel as Server/Workstation. The Xeon has a recorded launch MSRP of $552, while the Ryzen has none. Release dates are May 12, 2020, for Intel and November 9, 2020, for AMD. Both support ECC memory and dual-channel DDR4. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are in active production.