AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i5-4690T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4690T and AMD Ryzen 3 1200 are both quad-core desktop processors, but they come from different design generations. The Intel part, based on Haswell, was released in April 2014, while the AMD part, based on Zen, arrived in July 2017. The recorded data shows a split in benchmark results: the AMD part wins three of the four head-to-head tests, but the Intel part takes the most recent multi-core test by a wide margin. This analysis walks through the numbers, the specification differences, and the architecture choices that explain the results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers four Cinebench tests: R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins three of these, while the Intel Core i5-4690T wins one.

The largest margin of victory belongs to the AMD part in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. The AMD scores 135, while the Intel part scores 55. That is a 59.3% deficit for the Intel part, meaning the AMD part is 59.3% ahead. This is the most lopsided result in the comparison. The Intel part's single-core score of 55 is notably low, and the AMD part's 135 is more than double.

The Intel part's biggest win comes in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The Intel scores 3905, while the AMD scores 3013. The Intel part leads by 29.6% in this test. This is the only test where the Intel part comes out ahead, and it does so by a substantial margin. The R23 multi-core test is the most recent of the four, which may indicate that the Intel part handles newer multi-threaded workloads better.

The other two tests are also AMD wins, but with smaller margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 480 against the Intel's 393, giving the AMD part an 18.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD scores 834 against the Intel's 551, a 33.9% lead for the AMD part.

Overall, the AMD part wins three tests and the Intel part wins one. The average benchmark scores, however, are very close. The Intel part has an average score of 1129, while the AMD part sits at 1116. That is a difference of 13 points, or roughly 1.2% in favor of the Intel part. The percentile rankings reflect this closeness: the Intel part is in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, and the AMD part is in the 31st.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear split in performance characteristics. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 dominates the single-core tests, with leads of 59.3% in R15 and 33.9% in R23. It also wins the older R15 multi-core test by 18.1%. The Intel Core i5-4690T, on the other hand, wins the R23 multi-core test by 29.6%, which is the largest margin in any test except the AMD's R15 single-core win.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Intel part at 1129 and the AMD part at 1116. This suggests that for a broad mix of workloads, the two processors are comparable. However, the distribution of performance is different. The AMD part is stronger in single-threaded tasks and in the older multi-core test, while the Intel part is stronger in the newer multi-core test.

The AMD part also offers a higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and a slightly lower boost clock (3.40 GHz vs 3.50 GHz). It has a larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), supports ECC memory, and has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has a lower TDP (45W vs 65W) and includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), which the AMD part lacks. The AMD part uses DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Intel part uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. The AMD part is still in production, while the Intel part's production status is not listed. The AMD part had a launch MSRP of $109.

Given these numbers, the AMD part is the better choice for users who prioritize single-threaded performance, as it wins both single-core tests by large margins. It also offers ECC support and an unlocked multiplier, which may appeal to specific use cases. The Intel part, however, is the better choice for users who need the multi-core performance measured by Cinebench R23, where it leads by 29.6%. Its lower TDP and integrated graphics could be advantages in power-constrained or media-centric systems. The overall performance is close, so the decision rests on which workload matters more.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4690T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-4690T does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T has a TDP of 45W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T includes Intel HD 4600, while the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-4690T has 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T wins with a score of 3905, which is 29.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 1200's score of 3013.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The table below lists the fields where they do not match.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4690T | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 |

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

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45W | 65W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen |

| Process node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,800 million |

| Die size | 177 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 cache (per core) | 64 KB | 96 KB |

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

| L3 cache (shared) | 6 MB | 8 MB |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

| Release date | 2014-04-30 | 2017-07-26 |

| Production status | Not listed | Active |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $109 |

Both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads, dual-channel memory buses, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. They are both desktop parts.

Architecture Differences

The architectural differences go beyond the specification table. The Intel Core i5-4690T uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 uses the Zen architecture, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The larger transistor count and die size reflect the newer design and the move to a smaller process node.

The cache hierarchy differs as well. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The larger caches on the AMD part may contribute to its single-core performance advantage.

Memory support is another major difference. The Intel part uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The AMD part uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The higher bandwidth on the AMD part is a direct result of the newer memory standard. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. This means the Intel part can run a display without a discrete GPU, while the AMD part requires one. The Intel part also has a lower TDP (45W vs 65W), which may be relevant for power-sensitive builds.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD part is still in production, while the Intel part's production status is not listed. The release dates are also far apart: the Intel part came out in April 2014, and the AMD part in July 2017.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results point to distinct strengths. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (480 vs 393), R15 single-core (135 vs 55), and R23 single-core (834 vs 551). The Intel Core i5-4690T wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3905 vs 3013).

For single-threaded workloads, the AMD part is clearly ahead. Its lead in R15 single-core is 59.3%, and in R23 single-core it is 33.9%. This makes the AMD part the better choice for applications that rely on single-thread performance, such as many older games or lightly threaded productivity tools.

For multi-threaded workloads, the results are mixed. The AMD part leads in R15 multi-core by 18.1%, but the Intel part leads in R23 multi-core by 29.6%. The R23 test is the more recent benchmark, so it may better reflect modern multi-threaded software. The Intel part's win in R23 multi-core is its only victory, but it is a substantial one.

The average benchmark scores are close, with the Intel part at 1129 and the AMD part at 1116. This suggests that for a balanced mix of tasks, the two processors are nearly equivalent. The AMD part offers a higher base clock, ECC support, and an unlocked multiplier, which could be useful for overclocking or error-sensitive workloads. The Intel part offers a lower TDP and integrated graphics, which could be beneficial in compact or power-efficient systems.

In summary, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the winner in single-threaded and older multi-threaded tests, while the Intel Core i5-4690T takes the newest multi-threaded test. The choice depends on which workload profile matters more to the user.