CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2236 and AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I occupy nearly identical positions in the benchmark hierarchy, with average scores of 3410 and 3406 respectively. The data reveals a striking pattern: across every single Cinebench test, the Intel part wins by a margin of 0.1% or less, yet the underlying architectures could hardly be more different. The Xeon E-2236 is a 6-core, 12-thread Coffee Lake chip built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the Ryzen Embedded V3C18I packs 8 cores and 16 threads on TSMC's 6 nm node. These are two completely different design philosophies arriving at the same destination, and the benchmark results raise immediate questions about what each platform is actually optimizing for.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is the sheer closeness of the results. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Xeon E-2236 scores 1188 against the AMD's 1187, a delta of just 0.1%. The same 0.1% advantage repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (4952 vs 4946) and Cinebench R23 multicore (11792 vs 11777). This is remarkable because the AMD part has two additional cores and four additional threads. The Intel chip compensates with a 4.80 GHz boost clock versus the AMD's 3.80 GHz, and that clock advantage appears to fully neutralize the core-count deficit in threaded workloads.

Single-core results are even tighter. Cinebench R15 single-core shows both at exactly 167, with a 0% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core repeats the tie at 698. Only in Cinebench R23 single-core does a gap emerge, with Intel at 1664 and AMD at 1662, a 0.1% difference. The Intel Xeon E-2236 wins all six head-to-head tests, but the margins are so small they fall within typical run-to-run variance. The data suggests these two processors are effectively performance equals in CPU-bound rendering tasks, despite their radically different core configurations.

What makes this interesting is the AMD's much higher memory bandwidth: 76.8 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the Intel. That bandwidth advantage, combined with two extra cores, produces essentially no measurable benefit in these Cinebench workloads. The Intel's higher boost clock and larger single-core headroom appear to be the decisive factors, allowing a chip with fewer physical resources to match a more modern design. The percentile rankings confirm the parity: both sit at the 54th percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals list each other with delta values of just 0.1% and -0.1%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 has an average benchmark score of 3410, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I trails at 3406. The difference is 4 points, or roughly 0.1%.

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

A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I has 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 1664 versus 1662 for AMD, a 0.1% difference. In R15 and R20 single-core tests, both processors score identically at 167 and 698 respectively.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I supports DDR5 memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 supports DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 has a TDP of 80 watts, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I is rated at just 15 watts. The AMD consumes significantly less power despite having more cores.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. AMD's solution is both newer and wider.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2236 wins every benchmark test in this comparison, but the margins are so narrow that real-world differences would be imperceptible. Its strongest showing is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 11792 versus 11777, and in R15 multicore at 1188 versus 1187. The Intel chip's advantage comes from its 4.80 GHz boost clock, which allows it to edge ahead despite having fewer cores. This makes it a marginally better choice for single-threaded responsiveness and lightly-threaded workloads, though the 0.1% deltas suggest the gap is academic.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I loses all six tests, but its 15-watt TDP tells a different story. The Intel part draws 80 watts to achieve its minimal lead, meaning the AMD delivers nearly identical performance at roughly one-fifth the power envelope. For fanless or passively cooled systems, constrained thermal environments, or battery-powered embedded applications, the AMD's efficiency advantage is the real differentiator. The data shows the AMD also brings 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus 16 Gen 3 lanes for Intel, plus DDR5 support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, making it the better choice for I/O-heavy embedded workloads where raw CPU speed matters less than platform capability.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every fundamental specification. The Intel Xeon E-2236 uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I uses 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ dramatically: 3.40 GHz for Intel versus 1900.00 MHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 3.80 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 80 watts versus 15 watts, a fivefold difference. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1151, while AMD uses AMD Socket FP7. Process nodes are 14 nm (Intel foundry) versus 6 nm (TSMC). L2 cache is 256 KB per core for Intel and 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel and 16 MB shared for AMD. Memory support is DDR4 for Intel and DDR5 for AMD, with bandwidths of 42.7 GB/s and 76.8 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for Intel and Gen 4 with 20 lanes for AMD.

The Intel part includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the AMD has no integrated graphics listed. Market segments differ: Intel targets Server/Workstation, while AMD targets Desktop. Production status is End-of-life for Intel and Active for AMD. Release dates are May 2019 for Intel and September 2022 for AMD. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $284, while the AMD has no launch MSRP listed. Both support ECC memory, both are multiplier-unlocked, and both have 64 KB L1 cache per core.

Architecture Differences

These chips represent two very different architectural generations. The Intel Xeon E-2236 is built on Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant from the Xeon E-2200 series. It uses a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 154 mm². The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I uses Zen 3+ architecture under the Rembrandt codename, part of the Ryzen Embedded generation. It's fabricated on TSMC's 6 nm node, with no die size specified. The process node difference, 14 nm versus 6 nm, explains how AMD fits 8 cores and 16 MB of L3 cache into a 15-watt envelope while Intel needs 80 watts for 6 cores and 12 MB of L3.

The cache hierarchies differ in L2 capacity: Intel provides 256 KB per core, while AMD doubles that to 512 KB per core. The AMD also has 4 MB more shared L3 cache. Memory architecture is a major divergence point: DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s for Intel versus DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s for AMD. The PCIe implementation is also newer on the AMD side, offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD's Rembrandt architecture is designed for power-constrained embedded use, which explains its 15-watt TDP, while the Intel part prioritizes maximum clock speed at higher power. The Intel's integrated UHD Graphics P630 is absent from the AMD, suggesting the AMD expects a discrete GPU or no display output in its target applications.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Xeon E-2236 is the pick for anyone who needs the absolute highest CPU benchmark scores, however marginal the gain. It wins all six tests, including every multicore and single-core Cinebench variant. Its 4.80 GHz boost clock makes it the fastest chip in this pairing, and its 80-watt TDP is a reasonable trade-off for systems with adequate cooling. The 2019 release date and end-of-life status mean it's a mature platform, but the $284 launch MSRP indicates it was positioned as a server/workstation part. For workloads that are purely CPU-bound and where power consumption is not a primary concern, the Intel chip edges ahead.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C18I is the better choice for embedded systems where power efficiency is paramount. Its 15-watt TDP delivers essentially the same benchmark performance as the 80-watt Intel part, which is an extraordinary efficiency ratio. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration with DDR5 memory and 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes makes it more future-proof for I/O-heavy applications. The active production status and 2022 release date mean it will be available longer. For fanless designs, battery-powered devices, or thermal-constrained enclosures, the AMD's efficiency and platform features outweigh its tiny benchmark deficit. The data clearly shows these chips trade blows only on paper; in practice, the decision comes down to power budget versus raw clock speed.