CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2146G and AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I land within 0.1% of each other in average benchmark score (3410 vs 3406), but their performance profiles are not identical. The AMD part wins all six head-to-head benchmarks by roughly 4.8% to 4.9%, yet the Intel chip counters with a higher boost clock, older process node, and a different memory platform. This analysis breaks down where each processor wins, who should choose which, and what the underlying specifications reveal.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both multi-core and single-core tests, the AMD part takes the lead with delta percentages between -4.8% and -4.9%. The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the AMD scores 698 against the Intel’s 664, a 4.9% advantage. The smallest margins are still consistent at 4.8% across Cinebench R15 multi-core (1187 vs 1130), Cinebench R15 single-core (167 vs 159), Cinebench R20 multi-core (4946 vs 4709), Cinebench R23 multi-core (11777 vs 11214), and Cinebench R23 single-core (1662 vs 1583). There is no benchmark in the data where the Intel Xeon E-2146G comes out ahead.

The Intel chip’s wins are not in raw benchmark scores but in platform characteristics. It supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD part uses DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s. However, the Intel part has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus the AMD’s 3.80 GHz, and a base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 1900.00 MHz. These clock advantages do not translate into benchmark victories in the provided tests, but they do indicate a different design philosophy. The Intel Xeon E-2146G also has an integrated GPU (HD Graphics P630), which the AMD part lacks entirely. For workloads that leverage integrated graphics, the Intel chip holds an edge that no benchmark in the data captures.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I is the faster processor in every measured workload. If the decision rests solely on Cinebench and Geekbench performance, the AMD part wins across the board. Its 8 cores and 16 threads outpace the Intel’s 6 cores and 12 threads in multi-threaded tests, and its Zen 3+ architecture delivers higher single-core scores despite a lower boost clock. With a 4.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11777 vs 11214) and a 4.9% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core (698 vs 664), the AMD part is the clear performance pick.

However, the Intel Xeon E-2146G remains relevant for specific use cases. It is the only one of the two with integrated graphics, making it a fit for systems without a discrete GPU. It also uses DDR4 memory, which may align with existing platforms or cost structures that favor older memory technology. The Intel part’s TDP is 80 watts versus the AMD’s 15 watts, meaning the AMD is far more power-efficient, but the Intel’s higher TDP may indicate sustained performance headroom in systems designed for higher power delivery. For buyers prioritizing raw benchmark scores, the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I is the answer. For buyers needing integrated graphics or DDR4 compatibility, the Intel Xeon E-2146G is the only choice. The data shows no scenario where the Intel chip wins on performance, so the verdict falls to platform needs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are a clean sweep for AMD. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 1187 against the Intel’s 1130, a 4.8% margin. The single-core test shows the same 4.8% gap, with AMD at 167 and Intel at 159. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD extends its lead slightly in single-core: 698 vs 664, a 4.9% difference, while multi-core stays at 4.8% with 4946 vs 4709. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multi-core at 11777 vs 11214 (4.8%) and single-core at 1662 vs 1583 (4.8%).

The consistency of these margins is notable. Every test, regardless of workload type or rendering engine version, shows the AMD part ahead by nearly the same percentage. This suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The AMD’s 8-core, 16-thread configuration gives it a multi-core edge, while its Zen 3+ cores deliver higher single-thread performance than the Intel’s Coffee Lake cores. The Intel Xeon E-2146G’s higher boost clock (4.50 GHz vs 3.80 GHz) does not compensate for the architectural differences. In Geekbench, the Intel part scores 6283 multi-core and 1540 single-core, but no Geekbench result is provided for the AMD part in the head-to-head data, so the comparison rests entirely on Cinebench. The data shows a decisive AMD victory across all six available benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G has an average benchmark score of 3410, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I scores 3406. The difference is 0.1%, placing them as near-identical overall performers.

Q: How many wins does each processor have in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I wins all 6 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Xeon E-2146G has 0 wins.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the AMD scores 698 against the Intel’s 664, a 4.9% difference. All other tests show a 4.8% gap.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2146G have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features HD Graphics P630. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80 watts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Xeon E-2146G is built on Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, and uses a 14 nm process node from Intel’s own foundry. It is part of the Xeon E-2100 series and belongs to the Xeon E (Coffee Lake) generation. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I uses Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, and is manufactured on a 6 nm process node by TSMC. It belongs to the Ryzen Embedded (Zen 3+ (Rembrandt)) generation.

The core counts differ significantly. The Intel part has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache configurations also diverge: both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the Intel part has 256 KB of L2 cache per core versus the AMD’s 512 KB per core. L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the Intel part and 16 MB shared on the AMD part. These differences explain the multi-core performance gap. The AMD’s additional two cores and larger L3 cache give it a structural advantage in threaded workloads.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm for Intel versus 6 nm for AMD. This directly impacts power efficiency, as evidenced by the TDP figures (80 watts for Intel, 15 watts for AMD). The AMD part also supports DDR5 memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, nearly double the Intel’s DDR4 bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. PCIe support differs as well: the Intel part offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). These architectural choices make the AMD part a more modern, efficient design, while the Intel part relies on an older node and memory standard.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several fields where the two processors differ. Core count: Intel has 6 cores, AMD has 8. Threads: Intel has 12, AMD has 16. Base clock: Intel runs at 3.50 GHz, AMD at 1900.00 MHz. Boost clock: Intel reaches 4.50 GHz, AMD peaks at 3.80 GHz. TDP: Intel draws 80 watts, AMD draws 15 watts. Socket: Intel uses Intel Socket 1151, AMD uses AMD Socket FP7. Architecture: Coffee Lake for Intel, Zen 3+ for AMD. Process node: 14 nm for Intel, 6 nm for AMD. Foundry: Intel for the Xeon E-2146G, TSMC for the Ryzen Embedded V3C18I.

Memory support differs: Intel uses DDR4, AMD uses DDR5. Memory bandwidth: Intel delivers 42.7 GB/s, AMD delivers 76.8 GB/s. PCIe generation and lanes: Intel has Gen 3 with 16 lanes, AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: the Intel part includes HD Graphics P630, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. Market segment: Intel is classified as Server/Workstation, AMD as Desktop. Production status: Intel is End-of-life, AMD is Active. Release date: Intel launched on July 11, 2018, AMD on September 26, 2022. Launch MSRP: Intel lists at $317, AMD has no launch MSRP field. Part numbers also differ: Intel is SR3WT, AMD is 100-000000559. The Intel Xeon E-2146G has a die size of 154 mm², while the AMD part has no listed die size. Transistor counts are unavailable for both. Both support ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.