AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 vs Intel Core i7-6800K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 and the Intel Core i7-6800K represent two very different approaches to desktop computing, separated by six years of silicon evolution. The Ryzen part is a modern, power-efficient embedded processor built on a 6 nm process, while the Core i7 is a legacy high-end desktop chip from 2016 on 14 nm. The benchmark data in the database shows a clear pattern: the newer AMD chip wins every single recorded test, often by a margin of around 11%. This is despite the Intel part having more cores, more threads, and a higher base clock. The following analysis breaks down what the measurements indicate and who should pick which processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-6800K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel part holds the advantage in raw core count.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 wins all three single-core Cinebench tests recorded. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 143 versus 129 for the Intel chip, a 10.9% lead. In R20 single-core, it scores 598 versus 538, an 11.2% lead. In R23 single-core, it scores 1425 versus 1283, an 11.1% lead.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: Both processors have a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. However, the AMD chip uses dual-channel DDR5 memory, while the Intel chip uses quad-channel DDR4 memory. They reach the same bandwidth figure through different memory architectures.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Intel Core i7-6800K has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The AMD part is slightly faster in this metric.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-6800K support ECC memory?

A: No. The database shows ECC memory support as false for the Intel Core i7-6800K. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 does support ECC memory, which is listed as true.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 is listed as "Active" production status, while the Intel Core i7-6800K is listed as "End-of-life."

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, and is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell-E, and is built on a 14 nm process at Intel. This process node difference is substantial, with the AMD chip using a much more advanced manufacturing technology.

The AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache layouts differ significantly. The Ryzen V3C14 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-6800K has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has more total cache, but the AMD chip's per-core L2 is larger.

Memory support is another major dividing line. The AMD chip uses DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. The Intel chip uses DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus. Both achieve a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. PCIe capabilities also differ: the AMD chip provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip provides Gen 3 with 28 lanes.

Power characteristics are starkly different. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core i7-6800K has a TDP of 140 watts. This is a massive difference in thermal design, reflecting the embedded nature of the AMD part versus the high-end desktop positioning of the Intel part. The Intel chip also has a transistor count of 3,400 million and a die size of 246 mm², while those figures are not recorded for the AMD chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 wins all six. The Intel Core i7-6800K has zero wins in this comparison. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 11% in every test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD chip scores 1017 against 916 for Intel, a win margin of 11%. In R15 single-core, the AMD chip scores 143 against 129, a 10.9% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the AMD chip scores 4241 against 3819, an 11.1% advantage. In R20 single-core, the AMD chip scores 598 against 538, an 11.2% lead.

Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern. In multicore, the AMD chip scores 10099 against 9093, an 11.1% advantage. In single-core, the AMD chip scores 1425 against 1283, an 11.1% lead. The consistency of these deltas suggests a uniform performance advantage across workloads, rather than a test-specific anomaly.

The Intel chip does have an additional benchmark recorded in the database that the AMD chip lacks: Geekbench multicore and single-core tests. The Intel chip scores 5688 in Geekbench multicore and 1237 in Geekbench single-core. However, since there is no corresponding AMD score in the head-to-head data, these cannot be directly compared here.

Average benchmark scores place the AMD chip at 2921, while the Intel chip sits at 2838. This puts the AMD chip about 2.9% higher on average. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2186M and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600, both with scores around 2912 and 2909 respectively. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10600 and Intel Xeon E-2126G, both around 2837 and 2842.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. Core count: the AMD chip has 4 cores, the Intel chip has 6. Thread count: the AMD chip has 8 threads, the Intel chip has 12. Base clock: the AMD chip runs at 2.30 GHz, the Intel chip at 3.40 GHz. Boost clock: the AMD chip reaches 3.80 GHz, the Intel chip reaches 3.60 GHz.

TDP is a major differentiator: 15 watts for AMD versus 140 watts for Intel. Sockets are incompatible: the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The process node is 6 nm for AMD versus 14 nm for Intel. The foundry is TSMC for AMD and Intel for Intel.

Cache configurations differ. L1 cache is the same at 64 KB per core. 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 15 MB shared for Intel. Memory support is DDR5 for AMD and DDR4 for Intel. Memory bus is dual-channel for AMD and quad-channel for Intel. ECC support is true for AMD and false for Intel. PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes for AMD and Gen 3 with 28 lanes for Intel.

The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip does not. The Intel chip has a recorded launch MSRP of $434, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Intel chip has a transistor count of 3,400 million and a die size of 246 mm², neither of which is recorded for the AMD chip. Release dates are far apart: the AMD chip launched on 2022-09-26, while the Intel chip launched on 2016-05-30.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 wins in every recorded benchmark category. It is ahead in multicore performance across all three Cinebench versions, with margins of 11%, 11.1%, and 11.1%. It is also ahead in single-core performance, with margins of 10.9%, 11.2%, and 11.1%. The data indicates the AMD chip is faster in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The AMD chip also wins on efficiency. Its TDP of 15 watts is dramatically lower than the Intel chip's 140 watts. For systems where power consumption and heat output are critical, the AMD chip is clearly superior. It also supports ECC memory, which is important for reliability-sensitive applications. The AMD chip uses newer DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4, providing modern platform features.

The Intel Core i7-6800K does not win any recorded benchmark against the AMD chip. However, it does have advantages in certain specification areas. It has more cores and threads, which could theoretically benefit heavily parallel workloads, but the recorded benchmarks show the AMD chip winning multicore tests anyway. The Intel chip has a larger L3 cache at 15 MB versus 8 MB. It also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking potential. Its quad-channel memory bus provides a different memory topology, though bandwidth is identical to the AMD chip.

The Intel chip's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for AMD might suggest an advantage in lightly threaded tasks, but the single-core benchmark results show the AMD chip winning by over 10%. The Intel chip's nearest rivals in the database are all around the 2838 average score mark, while the AMD chip sits at 2921, indicating the AMD part performs at a higher overall level.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 outperforms the Intel Core i7-6800K in every recorded test. The AMD chip wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with consistent margins around 11%. It achieves this with 4 cores and 8 threads against the Intel chip's 6 cores and 12 threads, and with a TDP of 15 watts versus 140 watts. This reflects the architectural advancements of Zen 3+ over Broadwell.

Who should pick the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14? Anyone building a system where performance per watt is paramount. The 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for compact, passively cooled, or power-constrained builds. The ECC memory support adds reliability for server or workstation duties. The DDR5 and PCIe Gen 4 support provide modern platform capabilities. The active production status means it is currently available, whereas the Intel chip is end-of-life.

Who should pick the Intel Core i7-6800K? The data does not support choosing it for performance reasons, as it loses every benchmark. However, the unlocked multiplier offers overclocking headroom, which could be relevant for enthusiasts who prioritize manual tuning. The larger 15 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory architecture might appeal to specific workloads, although the recorded bandwidth is identical to the AMD chip. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration provides more parallel resources on paper, even if the benchmarks show the AMD chip winning multicore tests.

The average benchmark scores tell the story: 2921 for AMD versus 2838 for Intel. The Intel chip sits at the 51st percentile among all CPUs, and the AMD chip also sits at the 51st percentile. They are in the same performance class overall, but the AMD chip is ahead in every direct comparison. The Intel chip's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-10600, scores 2837, essentially matching it. The AMD chip's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-9850H, scores 2934, slightly ahead of the AMD part.

For a new build, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 is the clear choice based on the recorded data. It wins on performance, efficiency, modern features, and availability. The Intel Core i7-6800K is a legacy part that, despite more cores and a higher base clock, cannot match the newer AMD chip in any measured test. The verdict is straightforward: choose the AMD chip for better performance and dramatically lower power consumption, unless the Intel platform's specific legacy features are required.