CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL and AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 are two low-power processors aimed at very different segments, yet their benchmark results are surprisingly close. The Intel part is an end-of-life server/workstation chip built on a 14 nm process, while the AMD part is an active, 6 nm desktop-class embedded processor. Despite the architectural gap, the data shows the Xeon E-2278GEL winning every single benchmark in this comparison, albeit by narrow margins. The average benchmark score for the Intel chip is 2956, while the AMD chip trails at 2921, placing them at the 52nd and 51st percentiles of all CPUs, respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent, with the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL taking all six head-to-head victories. The largest margin of victory comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the Intel chip scores 145 against the AMD chip's 143, a 1.4% difference. This pattern holds across every workload, with the multicore tests showing the Intel part ahead by 1.3% in R15 (1030 vs. 1017) and by 1.2% in both R20 (4292 vs. 4241) and R23 (10220 vs. 10099). The single-core margins in R20 and R23 are also 1.2%, with scores of 605 vs. 598 and 1442 vs. 1425, respectively.

These deltas are small enough that they would be imperceptible in real-world use, but they do show that the Intel chip's older architecture and higher core count are enough to overcome the AMD chip's process advantage. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has 4 cores and 8 threads, and the Intel part's 16 MB of shared L3 cache is double the AMD chip's 8 MB. The benchmark data indicates that the Intel chip's extra cores and cache are decisive, even though the AMD chip has a higher base clock (2.30 GHz vs. 2.00 GHz) and a nearly identical boost clock (3.80 GHz vs. 3.90 GHz).

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip, the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL sits in a tight cluster with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U (avg score 2965, delta -0.3%), the Intel Core i5-9600KF (2935, +0.7%), the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 (2978, -0.7%), and the Intel Core i7-9850H (2934, +0.8%). The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 is similarly grouped with the Intel Xeon E-2186M (2912, +0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 (2909, +0.4%), the Intel Core i7-9850H (2934, -0.4%), and the Intel Core i5-9600KF (2935, -0.5%). Both chips are essentially trading blows with the same mid-range competitors, which reinforces the idea that the performance difference between them is negligible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has a 15 W TDP. The AMD chip uses less than half the power budget of the Intel part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 list ECC memory as a supported feature. However, the Intel chip supports DDR4 memory, while the AMD chip supports DDR5.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, which is significantly higher than the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL's 42.7 GB/s. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has a 16 MB shared L3 cache, whereas the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel chip's L3 cache is exactly double the AMD chip's.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 is marked as active in production.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 has a base clock of 2.30 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL's 2.00 GHz base clock. However, the Intel chip has a slightly higher boost clock at 3.90 GHz vs. the AMD chip's 3.80 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different architectural eras. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is built on the Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 180 mm². It uses the Intel Socket 1151 and belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14, in contrast, uses the Zen 3+ architecture (codename Rembrandt) on a 6 nm process node manufactured by TSMC, and it fits into the AMD Socket FP7. The AMD chip's die size is not listed in the data.

The core configurations differ significantly: the Intel chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 cache per core compared to the Intel chip's 256 KB per core. The L3 cache is where the Intel chip pulls ahead, with 16 MB shared versus the AMD chip's 8 MB shared.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL uses DDR4 memory, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 supports DDR5, and this is reflected in the memory bandwidth figures: 42.7 GB/s for the Intel part versus 76.8 GB/s for the AMD part. The PCIe capabilities also differ, with the Intel chip offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the AMD chip offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the AMD chip does not list any integrated graphics.

Production status and release timing also separate these parts. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL was released in June 2019 and is now end-of-life, with a launch MSRP of $519. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 was released in September 2022 and remains active in production, though no launch MSRP is provided in the data.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is the faster processor in every tested workload, but the margins are so small that they are unlikely to matter in practice. The Intel chip wins all six head-to-head tests with deltas ranging from 1.2% to 1.4%. Its average benchmark score is 2956, which is 35 points higher than the AMD chip's 2921. However, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 consumes less than half the power (15 W TDP vs. 35 W TDP), supports faster DDR5 memory, and has a more modern 6 nm process node.

The choice between these two depends entirely on the constraints of the system. If raw compute performance is the sole criterion, the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is the winner, but its advantage is marginal. If power efficiency, modern memory support, and a smaller physical footprint are priorities, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 offers those features while trailing by only about 1% in benchmarks. The Intel chip also has the advantage of integrated graphics, which could eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in some systems.

Given that the Intel part is end-of-life and the AMD part is active, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 is the more forward-looking choice for new designs. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL's only clear win is in core count and thread count, which does not translate into a meaningful benchmark advantage in this comparison.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2278GEL | AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | None |

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

| Release Date | 2019-06-10 | 2022-09-26 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL wins in all six benchmark tests, but the practical takeaway is that it wins on raw multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, albeit by a narrow margin. Its 8-core/16-thread configuration and larger 16 MB L3 cache give it an edge in workloads that scale with core count or benefit from cache capacity. The presence of integrated graphics means it can be deployed in systems without a discrete GPU, which is a functional win for basic display output.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 wins on power efficiency, drawing only 15 W compared to the Intel chip's 35 W. It also wins on memory bandwidth, with 76.8 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, and on modern connectivity, offering PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD chip's DDR5 support and smaller 6 nm process node make it a better fit for systems where power draw, thermal output, and future-proofing are more important than the last 1% of benchmark performance.

For a system designer deciding between these two, the data suggests that the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL is the pick for maximum compute density with integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 is the pick for ultra-low-power, high-bandwidth applications that can leverage DDR5 and PCIe Gen 4. The benchmark deltas are small enough that other factors like power, memory type, and production status should carry more weight in the decision.