AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE vs Intel Core i7-5820K Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database against the Intel Core i7-5820K. Across six Cinebench tests, the AMD part claims a 100% win rate, with deltas ranging from 6.9% to 7.1% in its favor. Despite having only 4 cores and 8 threads against the Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads, the Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE delivers higher scores in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The verdict is clear: if benchmark performance is the sole criterion, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE is the superior processor in this comparison.

The Intel Core i7-5820K, while offering more cores and threads, does not translate that hardware advantage into any measured victory. Its average benchmark score of 2642 places it in the 49th percentile of all CPUs, essentially tied with its nearest rivals including the Intel Xeon E-2274G at 2643 and the Intel Core i9-8950HK at 2641. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE also sits in the 49th percentile with an average score of 2596, trailing its nearest rivals only slightly: the Intel Core i7-8850H at 2604 is 0.3% ahead, while the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS at 2573 is 0.9% behind. The percentile standings are effectively identical, but the direct comparison tells a different story.

The use case for the Intel Core i7-5820K is narrow based on this data. It offers 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 140 W TDP, with quad-channel DDR4 memory support and 68.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It targets desktop users who value multi-threaded capacity and memory bandwidth, but the benchmark results do not support it as a performance leader. For users who prioritize the highest possible Cinebench scores, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE is the recommended choice, especially given its dramatically lower 35 W TDP and active production status. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active, making the AMD the more future-proof selection for new builds.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE wins in every benchmark category recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 904 against Intel's 841, a 7% advantage. In single-core, it scores 127 against 118, a 7.1% edge. The pattern repeats across Cinebench R20 and R23: the AMD part leads by 6.9% to 7% in both multi-core and single-core tests. This is not a case of one processor winning in specific niches; the AMD part dominates all six measured workloads.

The Intel Core i7-5820K has no benchmark wins in the database. Its hardware specifications suggest it should excel in multi-threaded scenarios due to its 6 cores, 12 threads, and larger 15 MB shared L3 cache. However, the recorded scores show otherwise. The Intel's 8,354 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core is 6.9% behind the AMD's 8,975, despite the AMD having only 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel's single-core performance is similarly weaker, with a 1,179 score in Cinebench R23 single-core against the AMD's 1,267.

For users, the decision is straightforward. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE is the better choice for anyone whose workload is represented by Cinebench rendering tests, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded. The Intel Core i7-5820K offers no measured advantage in any scenario. The AMD part also brings integrated graphics with Radeon Vega 6, which the Intel lacks entirely, making the AMD a more complete package for systems without a discrete GPU. The Intel's quad-channel memory support and higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s are its only distinguishing technical features, but these do not translate into benchmark wins.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is significant and explains the benchmark results. The Intel Core i7-5820K uses the Haswell-E architecture on a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. It packs 2,600 million transistors into a 356 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE uses the Zen 2 architecture (Renoir codename) on a 7 nm process node, manufactured by TSMC, with 9,800 million transistors on a much smaller 156 mm² die. The smaller process node gives the AMD part a substantial efficiency and density advantage.

Core configuration differs markedly. The Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache layouts also diverge: both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the Intel uses 256 KB of L2 per core against the AMD's 512 KB per core. For L3 cache, the Intel offers 15 MB shared, while the AMD provides only 4 MB shared. Despite the Intel's larger L3 pool and higher core count, the AMD's newer architecture delivers better performance per core, as evidenced by the single-core benchmark wins.

Memory support shows both processors using DDR4, but with different channel configurations. The Intel supports quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD uses dual-channel with 51.2 GB/s. The AMD supports ECC memory, the Intel does not. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 for both, but the Intel offers 28 lanes against the AMD's 16 lanes. The AMD includes integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the Intel has no integrated graphics at all. The Intel's multiplier is unlocked for overclocking, while the AMD's is locked. The power envelope tells the efficiency story: the Intel is rated at 140 W TDP, the AMD at just 35 W.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-5820K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE win in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, including both multi-core and single-core variants of R15, R20, and R23.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE scores 8,975, which is 6.9% ahead of the Intel Core i7-5820K's 8,354.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-5820K does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-5820K has a TDP of 140 W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE has a TDP of 35 W.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE includes Radeon Vega 6 integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i7-5820K has no integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniformly in favor of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 904 against the Intel's 841, a 7% delta. The single-core test shows the AMD at 127 versus the Intel's 118, a 7.1% advantage. These margins are consistent and indicate a clear performance gap per clock.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD leads multi-core with 3,769 against 3,508, a 6.9% delta. Single-core sees the AMD at 532 versus 495, a 7% edge. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R23: multi-core scores are 8,975 for AMD and 8,354 for Intel, a 6.9% difference, while single-core scores are 1,267 versus 1,179, also a 6.9% delta.

The largest single-core advantage for the AMD is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 7.1%. The largest multi-core advantage is 7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Across all tests, the AMD's smallest margin of victory is 6.9%, occurring in five of the six benchmarks. This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency advantage for the Zen 2 design rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Intel Core i7-5820K never closes the gap in any test. Its best relative performance is in the Cinebench R20 and R23 tests, where it trails by 6.9% in both multi-core and single-core, but it never comes closer. The AMD's 4-core, 8-thread configuration outperforms the Intel's 6-core, 12-thread setup in every measured workload, which is a notable result given the Intel's additional cores and larger L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every key specification. The Intel Core i7-5820K uses the Haswell architecture with a 22 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE uses Zen 2 on a 7 nm process. The Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads; the AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for Intel and 3.50 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 3.60 GHz and 4.00 GHz respectively.

TDP is a major differentiator: 140 W for Intel versus 35 W for AMD. The Intel uses Socket 2011-3, the AMD uses Socket AM4. Transistor counts are 2,600 million for Intel and 9,800 million for AMD, with die sizes of 356 mm² and 156 mm² respectively. L2 cache is 256 KB per core on Intel and 512 KB per core on AMD. L3 cache is 15 MB shared on Intel and 4 MB shared on AMD.

Memory configuration differs: the Intel supports quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD supports dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. ECC memory support is present only on the AMD. PCIe lanes are 28 for Intel and 16 for AMD, both Gen 3. The Intel has no integrated graphics; the AMD includes Radeon Vega 6. The Intel multiplier is unlocked, the AMD is locked. Production status is end-of-life for Intel and active for AMD. Release dates are 2014 for Intel and 2022 for AMD.