AMD Ryzen 3 8440U vs AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U and AMD Ryzen 5 4600H are two mobile processors from different eras of AMD’s lineup, and the benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between single-threaded efficiency and raw multi-threaded throughput. The Ryzen 3 8440U, built on the newer Zen 4 architecture, wins decisively in modern single-core workloads, while the older Zen 2-based Ryzen 5 4600H leverages its two additional cores to dominate multi-threaded and data-heavy tasks. The overall benchmark score averages are close—16,663 for the 8440U versus 16,341 for the 4600H—but the specific workloads tell a much more nuanced story. The 8440U wins 6 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the 4600H takes 9, yet the margin of victory in each direction varies wildly.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in Cinebench results. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 8440U scores 10,884 against the 4600H’s 8,072, a 34.8% advantage for the newer chip. The single-core R23 test follows the same pattern: 1,536 for the 8440U versus 1,142.5 for the 4600H, a 34.4% lead. This is a massive generational leap. However, the older Cinebench R15 tests tell the opposite story. In R15 multi-core, the 4600H scores 1,425 versus 1,097 for the 8440U, a 23% swing in favor of the 4600H. The R15 single-core result is also a win for the 4600H at 176 versus 154, a 12.5% margin. The discrepancy between R15 and R23 likely reflects differences in how the workloads scale with core count versus clock speed, but the data is clear: on the newer R23 benchmark, the 8440U is overwhelmingly faster.

PassMark results reinforce the split. The 8440U wins PassMark single-thread with a score of 3,648 versus 2,418 for the 4600H, a massive 50.9% advantage. It also wins PassMark find prime numbers (43 versus 28, a 53.6% lead) and PassMark physics (685 versus 629, an 8.9% gain). The 4600H strikes back in multi-threaded and data-centric tests. PassMark multithread goes to the 4600H at 14,228 versus 12,805, a 10% win. Data compression is a 27.6% win for the 4600H (202,030 versus 146,273), and data encryption is a 34.4% win (12,217 versus 8,012). Integer math favors the 4600H by 18% (45,698 versus 37,468), floating-point math by 14.5% (26,909 versus 23,017), and random string sorting by 18.3% (21,689 versus 17,725). Extended instructions also go to the 4600H at 12,942 versus 11,059, a 14.5% margin.

The pattern is stark: the 8440U dominates in single-thread and physics-style tests, while the 4600H wins in almost every throughput-heavy workload. The only anomaly is the 3DMark tests, which are only present for the 4600H (e.g., 4,387 for 16 threads and 675 for single thread), so no direct comparison is possible there.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct use cases. If you prioritize modern, single-threaded performance—which often translates to snappier everyday responsiveness and better performance in lightly threaded applications—the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the clear choice. Its 50.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and 34.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core are decisive. For workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, such as video encoding, data compression, or heavy multitasking, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is the better pick. Its 10% lead in PassMark multithread and 34.4% lead in data encryption show it can grind through parallel tasks faster.

The 8440U also wins on platform modernity. It supports DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the 4600H’s DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s. It uses a 4 nm process node versus 7 nm, and it has a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. However, the 4600H has more raw cores (6 versus 4) and threads (12 versus 8), which explains its multi-threaded dominance. The 8440U’s 28 W TDP versus the 4600H’s 45 W TDP also suggests the newer chip is more power-efficient, though the data doesn’t directly measure thermals or battery life.

Neither chip has a launch MSRP listed, so pricing is not a factor in this analysis. In terms of overall percentile ranking, both sit at the 70th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are within 2% of each other (16,663 versus 16,341). This is a close contest overall, but the specific workload determines the winner.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these chips is substantial. The Ryzen 3 8440U is built on Zen 4 architecture with the codename Hawk Point, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Ryzen 5 4600H uses the older Zen 2 architecture with the codename Renoir, on a 7 nm process, with 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The newer process allows the 8440U to achieve higher clock speeds—4.70 GHz boost versus 4.00 GHz—while consuming less power (28 W versus 45 W TDP).

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 8 MB of shared L3 cache, but the L2 cache per core is 1 MB on the 8440U versus 512 KB on the 4600H. This larger L2 cache likely contributes to the 8440U’s single-threaded advantage. The 8440U also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes, while the 4600H is limited to PCIe Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 8440U has a Radeon 740M, while the 4600H has a Radeon RX Vega 6. Neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on several key specification fields. The 8440U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the 4600H has 6 cores and 12 threads. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz, favoring the 8440U. TDP is 28 W versus 45 W, favoring the 8440U for efficiency. The socket differs: the 8440U uses AMD Socket FP7, while the 4600H uses AMD Socket FP6. Process nodes are 4 nm versus 7 nm. Transistor counts are 20,900 million versus 9,800 million. Die sizes are 137 mm² versus 156 mm². L2 cache per core is 1 MB versus 512 KB. Memory support is DDR5 versus DDR4, with bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 14 lanes versus Gen 3. Integrated graphics are Radeon 740M versus Radeon RX Vega 6. Release dates are December 2023 versus January 2020. The part numbers are 100-000001325(FP7r2)100-000001332(FP7) for the 8440U and 100-000000100 for the 4600H. Both have a base clock of 3.00 GHz.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is significantly faster. It scores 3,648 in PassMark single-thread versus 2,418 for the 4600H, a 50.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads 1,536 to 1,142.5, a 34.4% margin.

Q: Which CPU is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H wins most multi-threaded tests. It scores 14,228 in PassMark multithread versus 12,805, a 10% lead. It also wins data compression by 27.6% and data encryption by 34.4%.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23?

A: The 8440U wins both tests. In multi-core, it scores 10,884 versus 8,072, a 34.8% lead. In single-core, it scores 1,536 versus 1,142.5, a 34.4% lead.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Ryzen 3 8440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 5 4600H has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which CPU has newer memory support?

A: The Ryzen 3 8440U supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 4600H supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the overall performance percentile for each?

A: Both CPUs sit at the 70th percentile of all CPUs. The 8440U has an average benchmark score of 16,663, while the 4600H scores 16,341.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the choice for single-thread performance and modern platform features. Its wins in PassMark single-thread (50.9% ahead), PassMark find prime numbers (53.6% ahead), and PassMark physics (8.9% ahead) make it ideal for everyday tasks, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications. The Cinebench R23 results (34.8% multi-core, 34.4% single-core) suggest it also handles modern rendering workloads better than the older chip. Its DDR5 support and higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s) provide a future-proofing advantage, and the PCIe Gen 4 support allows for faster NVMe storage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is the choice for heavy parallel workloads. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it wins data compression (27.6% ahead), data encryption (34.4% ahead), integer math (18% ahead), floating-point math (14.5% ahead), and random string sorting (18.3% ahead). Its PassMark multithread score of 14,228 versus 12,805 is a solid 10% win. This makes it better suited for content creation, batch processing, and any task that can utilize all available threads.

The benchmark averages are close, but the usage profile is not. Choose the 8440U for snappy single-threaded performance and modern connectivity. Choose the 4600H for raw multi-threaded compute where core count trumps architecture.