AMD Ryzen 3 7440U vs AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H and AMD Ryzen 3 7440U represent two distinct approaches to mobile computing, separated by three years of architectural evolution. The recorded data shows a fascinating split: the older 4600H wins 9 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the newer 7440U takes 8. This near-even split masks a clear thematic division. The 4600H dominates in multi-threaded throughput and data-heavy workloads, while the 7440U counters with superior single-core performance and efficiency in specific tasks. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story, with the 4600H posting 16341 against the 7440U's 15682, a difference of roughly 4.2%. However, the nature of those wins matters more than the raw tally. The 4600H's victories are often by wide margins in parallel workloads, while the 7440U's wins, though fewer, are decisive in single-threaded scenarios. This is not a simple "newer is better" case, and the data suggests each processor serves a different priority.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload type. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is the pick for users whose tasks scale with core count and thread parallelism. Its 6 cores and 12 threads give it a structural advantage in multi-threaded benchmarks, and the numbers confirm this. It leads by 28.1% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 31.5% in data compression, and 32.6% in both data encryption and floating point math. If the priority is heavy parallel processing, video encoding, or data manipulation, the 4600H is the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U, despite having fewer cores, is the better option for single-threaded performance and modern efficiency. Its Zen 4 architecture delivers a 37.1% lead in Geekbench single-core and a 26.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. It also wins in physics calculations by 33% and in prime number finding by 30%. For everyday responsiveness, light productivity, and tasks that rely on a single fast core, the 7440U is superior. The 7440U also offers a lower TDP of 28 watts compared to 45 watts, suggesting better power efficiency for thin-and-light laptops.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of AMD's design philosophy. The Ryzen 5 4600H is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, and belongs to the 4000 series. It uses a 7 nm process node from TSMC, with 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The Ryzen 3 7440U, in contrast, uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix2, and belongs to the 7000 series. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process node, packing 20,900 million transistors into a smaller 137 mm² die. This transistor density difference is a key factor in the 7440U's efficiency and clock speed potential.

Core and cache configurations differ significantly. The 4600H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 7440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache, but the L2 cache differs: the 4600H has 512 KB per core, while the 7440U has 1 MB per core. The L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. The 7440U compensates for fewer cores with a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz on the 4600H, and both share a 3.00 GHz base clock.

Memory support is another major divergence. The 4600H supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 7440U supports DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but with a much higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The 7440U also supports ECC memory, which the 4600H does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the 4600H uses Gen 3, while the 7440U uses Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ, with the 4600H featuring Radeon RX Vega 6 and the 7440U featuring Radeon 740M. The sockets are different too, with the 4600H on AMD Socket FP6 and the 7440U on AMD Socket FP7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear pattern of strengths. The 4600H's biggest wins come in data-heavy and parallel workloads. In PassMark data compression, it scores 202030 against 153689, a 31.5% advantage. Data encryption shows a 32.6% lead, with scores of 12217 versus 9215. Floating point math also favors the 4600H by 32.6%, scoring 26909 against 20291. Integer math follows with a 24.3% lead, 45698 versus 36758. The 4600H also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 28.1%, scoring 1425 against 1112, and in extended instructions by 25%, 12942 versus 10356. Its multithread score is 9.5% higher, 14228 versus 12991, and it edges out a 1% win in random string sorting, 21689 versus 21479.

The 7440U's wins are concentrated in single-threaded and modern workload tests. Its most decisive victory is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 2003 against 1259, a 37.1% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 26.7% advantage, 1558 versus 1142.5. In PassMark physics, the 7440U leads by 33%, scoring 939 against 629. Prime number finding shows a 30% lead, 40 versus 28. The 7440U also wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 26.9%, scoring 11042 against 8072, and in Geekbench multi-core by 4.9%, 5806 versus 5521. Its single-thread score is 7.5% higher, 2614 versus 2418.

The Cinebench R15 and R23 results are particularly telling. The 4600H wins R15 multi-core by 28.1%, but the 7440U wins R23 multi-core by 26.9%. This reversal suggests the newer benchmark favors the 7440U's architectural efficiency, while the older benchmark rewards raw core count. The single-core results are consistent: the 7440U wins both R15 and R23 single-core by 12.8% and 26.7% respectively.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The 4600H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 7440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The boost clock differs, with the 4600H at 4.00 GHz and the 7440U at 4.70 GHz. The TDP is 45 watts for the 4600H and 28 watts for the 7440U. The socket is AMD Socket FP6 for the 4600H and AMD Socket FP7 for the 7440U. The architecture is Zen 2 for the 4600H and Zen 4 for the 7440U. The process node is 7 nm for the 4600H and 4 nm for the 7440U. Transistor count is 9,800 million for the 4600H and 20,900 million for the 7440U. Die size is 156 mm² for the 4600H and 137 mm² for the 7440U. L2 cache is 512 KB per core for the 4600H and 1 MB per core for the 7440U. Memory support is DDR4 for the 4600H and DDR5 for the 7440U. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for the 4600H and 89.6 GB/s for the 7440U. ECC memory support is false for the 4600H and true for the 7440U. PCIe is Gen 3 for the 4600H and Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only) for the 7440U. Integrated graphics are Radeon RX Vega 6 for the 4600H and Radeon 740M for the 7440U. The release dates differ, with the 4600H released on 2020-01-05 and the 7440U on 2023-05-02.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to 4.00 GHz on the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U wins in single-core benchmarks, leading by 37.1% in Geekbench single-core and 26.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H wins in most multi-threaded tests, including a 28.1% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 31.5% lead in data compression. However, the 7440U wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 26.9%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has a TDP of 28 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is the clear winner in scenarios that demand parallel processing power. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with a 45 watt TDP, make it suitable for sustained multi-threaded workloads. The data shows it excels in data compression, encryption, and floating point math, with leads of 31.5%, 32.6%, and 32.6% respectively. It also wins in integer math by 24.3% and in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 28.1%. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or heavy data analysis, the 4600H's higher core count translates directly into faster completion times. Its PassMark multithread score of 14228, which is 9.5% higher than the 7440U, reinforces this strength.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U wins in scenarios that favor single-thread speed and modern efficiency. Its Zen 4 architecture and 4.70 GHz boost clock deliver a 37.1% lead in Geekbench single-core and a 26.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. It also wins in physics calculations by 33% and in prime number finding by 30%. These results indicate strong performance in tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and light content creation that rely on fast single-core response. The 7440U's lower TDP of 28 watts also suggests it is better suited for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal management are priorities. Its win in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 26.9% shows that architectural efficiency can sometimes overcome a core count disadvantage in newer benchmarks.