AMD Ryzen 3 5400U vs Intel Core i5-10600 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10600 and AMD Ryzen 3 5400U occupy different corners of the processor market. The i5-10600 is a desktop part with six cores and twelve threads, while the Ryzen 3 5400U is a mobile chip with four cores and eight threads. Benchmark results from the database show the Intel part leading in every Cinebench test, but the AMD chip brings a much lower TDP and a more modern process node. This analysis breaks down the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-10600 scores 9809, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U scores 9350, giving Intel a 4.9% lead.

Q: How do the single-core results compare?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1384 versus AMD's 1320, a 4.8% advantage. The largest single-core margin is in R15, where Intel leads 139 to 132, a 5.3% difference.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Intel part has a 65W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 15W, reflecting their desktop and mobile designations.

Q: Which processor has more memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, compared to Intel's 42.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: Intel's average benchmark score is 2837, placing it in the 51st percentile of all CPUs. AMD's average is 2765, in the 50th percentile.

Q: Are there any Geekbench results for the Intel part?

A: The database lists Geekbench scores only for the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U (4473 multi-core, 1419 single-core). No Geekbench scores are recorded for the Intel i5-10600, so a direct comparison is not possible.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance winner in the Cinebench suite: the Intel Core i5-10600. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins between 4.8% and 5.3%. Its average benchmark score of 2837 is 72 points higher than the Ryzen 3 5400U's 2765, and it sits one percentile higher (51st vs 50th). For desktop users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the i5-10600 is the better choice. However, the Ryzen 3 5400U is a mobile processor with a 15W TDP, making it suitable for laptops where power efficiency is critical. The Intel part's 65W TDP and LGA1200 socket are not designed for portable systems. The AMD chip also offers higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) and a more advanced 7 nm process, but these advantages do not translate into higher Cinebench scores. The verdict depends on the use case: for a desktop workstation, the i5-10600; for a thin-and-light laptop, the Ryzen 3 5400U.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons, and the Intel i5-10600 wins every one. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 988 against AMD's 942, a 4.9% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows Intel at 139 and AMD at 132, a 5.3% lead, the largest margin in the set. Moving to R20, Intel's multi-core score is 4119 versus 3927, again 4.9% ahead. The R20 single-core result is 581 for Intel and 554 for AMD, a 4.9% difference. In R23, Intel's multi-core score is 9809 against 9350, a 4.9% lead, and the single-core score is 1384 versus 1320, a 4.8% margin. These consistent margins suggest that the Intel part's higher core count (6 vs 4) and higher boost clock (4.80 GHz vs 4.00 GHz) provide a steady performance advantage across the Cinebench suite. The AMD chip does have a higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) and a smaller process node, but those factors do not overcome the core and clock deficit in these tests. The database also lists Geekbench scores for the Ryzen 3 5400U (4473 multi-core, 1419 single-core), but no Intel Geekbench results are recorded, so no cross-comparison is possible.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-10600 | AMD Ryzen 3 5400U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Process node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 10,700 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 180 mm² |

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

| L3 cache (shared) | 12 MB | 8 MB |

| Memory bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe lanes (CPU) | Gen 3, 16 lanes | Gen 3, 8 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2020-04-29 | 2021-01-11 |

| Part number | SRH37 | 100-000000288 |

Both processors share the same L1 cache size (64 KB per core), support DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, do not support ECC, have locked multipliers, and are listed as active in production. The launch MSRP is not recorded for either part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel i5-10600 uses the Comet Lake architecture, a 14 nm design from Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U is based on Zen 3 (Cezanne-U) on TSMC's 7 nm process. The AMD chip integrates 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, whereas Intel does not disclose transistor count or die size. Core counts differ: Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads, AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache layouts also diverge: Intel provides 256 KB L2 per core and 12 MB shared L3, while AMD offers 512 KB L2 per core and 8 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher on the AMD side at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel uses UHD Graphics 630, AMD uses Radeon Vega 6. The AMD part is a mobile processor with a 15W TDP, while Intel is a desktop part with 65W. These architectural choices reflect different priorities: Intel emphasizes multi-threaded performance with more cores and higher clocks, while AMD focuses on power efficiency and a more advanced process node. The data shows that the Intel part wins all Cinebench tests, but the AMD chip's lower TDP and higher memory bandwidth may be more relevant in mobile contexts.