AMD Athlon X4 970 vs Intel Core i5-13400E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Athlon X4 970 and the Intel Core i5-13400E is one-sided across every recorded test. The Intel processor wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the AMD part recording zero victories in the database.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-13400E scores 2313 against the AMD Athlon X4 970's 310. That represents an 86.6 percent deficit for the AMD chip. The gap remains identical in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Intel part reaches 9639 while the AMD processor manages only 1294, again an 86.6 percent difference. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R23 multi-core: the Intel Core i5-13400E posts 22950 versus the AMD Athlon X4 970's 3081.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Intel Core i5-13400E scores 1360, while the AMD Athlon X4 970 scores 182. The delta is again 86.6 percent. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel part reaches 3240, dwarfing the AMD part's 435.

The consistency of the 86.6 percent margin across every test is notable. Whether the workload scales with core count or relies on single-thread performance, the relative gap between the two processors does not change in the recorded data. The Intel Core i5-13400E holds the advantage in every measured workload category, from legacy Cinebench versions to the most recent R23 iteration.

The average benchmark score data places the AMD Athlon X4 970 at 6850, with a percentile ranking of 63 among all CPUs tracked in the database. The Intel Core i5-13400E shows an average benchmark score of 6638, with a percentile ranking of 62. These aggregate figures sit close together, but the head-to-head Cinebench results reveal a much larger performance separation in those specific workloads. The two processors occupy similar positions in the overall distribution, yet direct comparisons show a dominant Intel result.

The AMD Athlon X4 970's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-1115G4 at an average score of 6851, the AMD Athlon Silver 10 at 6849, the Intel Xeon W-2195 at 6892, and the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803. The delta percentages against these rivals range from negative 0.6 percent to positive 0.7 percent. The Intel Core i5-13400E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X at 6647, the Intel Core i9-9940X at 6657, the Intel Core i9-12900E at 6611, and the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 at 6605. These deltas range from negative 0.3 percent to positive 0.5 percent. Both processors sit in crowded performance neighborhoods when measured by average score, but direct head-to-head testing separates them clearly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head benchmark comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400E wins all five recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The AMD Athlon X4 970 records zero wins. The Intel part leads by 86.6 percent in every Cinebench test, including R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core.

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

A: All five tests show the same 86.6 percent margin. The Intel Core i5-13400E scores 2313 versus 310 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 9639 versus 1294 in R20 multi-core, 1360 versus 182 in R20 single-core, 22950 versus 3081 in R23 multi-core, and 3240 versus 435 in R23 single-core.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall database ranking?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 970 has an average benchmark score of 6850 and sits at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-13400E has an average benchmark score of 6638 and sits at the 62nd percentile. Despite the large head-to-head margins, their aggregate positions in the database are similar.

Q: What does the AMD Athlon X4 970's nearest rival data show?

A: The closest comparable processors by average score are the Intel Core i3-1115G4 at 6851, the AMD Athlon Silver 10 at 6849, the Intel Xeon W-2195 at 6892, and the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 at 6803. The deltas range from negative 0.6 percent to positive 0.7 percent, placing the AMD part in a tight cluster.

Q: What does the Intel Core i5-13400E's nearest rival data show?

A: The closest comparables are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X at 6647, the Intel Core i9-9940X at 6657, the Intel Core i9-12900E at 6611, and the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 at 6605. Deltas range from negative 0.3 percent to positive 0.5 percent.

Q: Does the AMD Athlon X4 970 have any benchmark category where it leads?

A: In the recorded head-to-head tests, no. The AMD part wins zero of five comparisons. The database also lists no head-to-head benchmark where the AMD Athlon X4 970 records a higher score than the Intel Core i5-13400E.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The AMD Athlon X4 970 uses the Excavator architecture, specifically the Bristol Ridge codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-13400E uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. This process gap alone explains part of the performance difference, as the Intel part packs more capable transistors into a smaller die.

The AMD Athlon X4 970 has 4 cores and 4 threads, so it offers no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel Core i5-13400E has 10 cores and 16 threads, meaning it combines performance and efficiency core types and supports additional thread execution. Thread count differences directly affect multi-threaded workloads such as Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, where the Intel part's additional threads contribute to its large lead.

Cache arrangements differ sharply. The AMD Athlon X4 970 has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache recorded. The Intel Core i5-13400E lists 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's shared L3 cache provides a substantial pool of fast memory for frequently accessed data, which helps in both single-thread and multi-thread scenarios.

The die sizes also differ: the AMD Athlon X4 970 measures 250 mm², while the Intel Core i5-13400E measures 215 mm². The AMD part integrates 3,100 million transistors on its larger die, while the Intel part's transistor count is not recorded in the database. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700.

Memory support reveals another architectural split. The AMD Athlon X4 970 supports DDR4 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-13400E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, also with a dual-channel bus, though its memory bandwidth figure is not recorded. ECC memory support also differs: the AMD part does not support ECC, while the Intel part does.

PCIe capabilities are notably different. The AMD Athlon X4 970 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core i5-13400E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Intel part both a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count, affecting expansion options and bandwidth to discrete devices.

The integrated graphics situation also differs. The AMD Athlon X4 970 has no integrated graphics recorded in the database. The Intel Core i5-13400E includes UHD Graphics 730, providing a display output option without a separate graphics card.

Both processors share a 65 W TDP, which is noteworthy given the large performance differences. The AMD part reaches this power envelope with an older, less efficient architecture, while the Intel part achieves far higher performance within the same power limit.

Production status for both is listed as Active. The release dates differ substantially: the AMD Athlon X4 970 launched on July 26, 2017, while the Intel Core i5-13400E launched on January 3, 2023. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the AMD Athlon X4 970 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13400E has 10 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds also differ. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Intel part's boost clock is higher despite the lower base clock, reflecting its ability to ramp up under load.

The process node differs: 28 nm for the AMD part versus 10 nm for the Intel part. The foundry also differs: GlobalFoundries for AMD, Intel for the Intel part. Transistor count is recorded for the AMD part at 3,100 million, while the Intel part's transistor count is not recorded. Die size is recorded for both: 250 mm² for AMD, 215 mm² for Intel.

Cache specifications differ across every level. The AMD part has 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs: the AMD part supports DDR4 only, while the Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded for the AMD part at 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel part's figure is not recorded.

ECC memory support differs: false for AMD, true for Intel. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: the AMD part uses Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the Intel part uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: none recorded for AMD, UHD Graphics 730 for Intel.

The socket differs: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1700. The architecture and codename differ as noted: Excavator with Bristol Ridge for AMD, Raptor Lake with Raptor Lake-S for Intel. The generation field shows Athlon (Bristol Ridge) for AMD and Core i5 (Raptor Lake) for Intel. The series field is null for AMD and Core 13th Gen for Intel. Part numbers differ: AD970XAUABBOXAD970XAUM44AB for AMD, SRMG5 for Intel. Both processors have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-13400E is the stronger processor in every direct benchmark comparison. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, and each win comes by the same 86.6 percent margin. No test in the database shows the AMD Athlon X4 970 ahead.

The Intel part's advantage spans both single-thread and multi-thread workloads. Its single-core lead in Cinebench R20 and R23 shows that its architecture delivers more work per thread. Its multi-core lead shows that the combination of more cores, more threads, and a shared L3 cache scales effectively across parallel workloads. The AMD Athlon X4 970, with four threads and no L3 cache, cannot match this output.

Buyers who run Cinebench-style rendering workloads should choose the Intel Core i5-13400E without hesitation. The data shows a dominant position in every recorded test. The AMD Athlon X4 970 remains a functional desktop processor, and its average benchmark score of 6850 places it near the same percentile as the Intel part, but direct comparison reveals the gap.

The Intel Core i5-13400E also offers features that the AMD part lacks: integrated graphics, ECC memory support, DDR5 compatibility, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. These features make it more versatile for modern desktop builds.

The AMD Athlon X4 970 may still suit users with existing AM4 platforms or those who need a simple four-thread processor for basic tasks. Its 65 W TDP matches the Intel part, and its 4.00 GHz boost clock provides adequate single-thread responsiveness for lightweight workloads. But the benchmark data shows no scenario in the recorded tests where it outperforms the Intel Core i5-13400E.

Users prioritizing raw performance in the measured Cinebench workloads should select the Intel Core i5-13400E. Users constrained to the AM4 platform or those whose workloads fall outside the recorded tests may consider the AMD Athlon X4 970, but the database offers no evidence of a performance category where it leads. The verdict from the numbers is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-13400E is the superior choice in every measured comparison.