AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U vs Intel Core i7-5930K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is remarkably one-sided. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U wins 7 of the 8 recorded comparisons, with the Intel Core i7-5930K taking only a single multi-threaded Geekbench victory. The margins are not trivial either. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 9673 against 8791 for the Intel, a 10% lead. The same 10% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the AMD scores 4062 versus 3692, and in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the AMD posts 974 against 886. These are consistent, repeatable gaps across all three Cinebench versions.

Single-core results tell a similar story with slightly larger margins. The Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U leads by 9.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (137 versus 125), by 10% in Cinebench R20 single-core (573 versus 521), and by 10% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1365 versus 1241). The one exception is Geekbench single-core, where the AMD advantage expands to a decisive 31.6%: 1612 versus 1225. That is the largest single delta in the entire comparison.

The only Intel win comes in Geekbench multicore, where the Core i7-5930K scores 5715 against 4525, a 20.8% advantage. This is not a small margin, and it is worth isolating as the one workload in the dataset where the older desktop chip's higher physical core count and thread count translate into a clear advantage. The pattern across the benchmarks is therefore straightforward: the AMD processor wins nearly everything, the Intel processor wins one specific multicore test, and the average scores reflect that split.

Looking at the aggregate figures, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U sits at an average benchmark score of 2865, while the Intel Core i7-5930K averages 2775. Both land at the 51st percentile among all CPUs in the database, which places them in the same broad performance tier despite the different benchmark distribution. The AMD part's nearest rivals by average score include the Intel Core i7-11370H at 2861 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i5-11320H at 2888 (0.8% ahead). The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G at 2774 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U at 2765 (0.4% behind). This context matters: the 5475U is effectively trading blows with modern quad-core mobile parts, while the 5930K is matched by lower-tier AMD desktop APUs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i7-5930K wins only Geekbench multicore.

Q: How large is the AMD lead in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U leads in every single-core test: 9.6% in Cinebench R15, 10% in Cinebench R20, 10% in Cinebench R23, and 31.6% in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i7-5930K beat the AMD part?

A: The Intel chip wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 5715 versus 4525, a 20.8% advantage. This is the only benchmark in the dataset where it comes out ahead.

Q: How do the average scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U has an average benchmark score of 2865. The Intel Core i7-5930K has an average of 2775. Both sit at the 51st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each processor?

A: For the AMD part, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-11370H at 2861 average score, just 0.2% behind. For the Intel part, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G at 2774, a 0% delta.

Q: Does the Intel processor have any advantage in memory bandwidth?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-5930K supports quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. The Intel part also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 8 for the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U is built on Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne-U, and belongs to the 5000 series. It uses a 7 nm process node at TSMC, with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-5930K is a Haswell-E part, manufactured on Intel's 22 nm node with 2,600 million transistors on a much larger 356 mm² die. The process gap is enormous: the AMD chip packs four times as many transistors onto roughly half the silicon area.

Core counts differ in favor of Intel. The 5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 5475U has 4 cores and 8 threads. This explains the Geekbench multicore result, as the Intel part has 50% more physical cores. The cache layouts also differ substantially. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, but only 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 15 MB of shared L3. Total L3 capacity favors Intel, but per-core L2 favors AMD.

Memory architecture is another clear split. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-5930K uses quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part also provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, compared to 8 lanes for the AMD part. Neither supports ECC memory. The AMD part includes integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics at all.

Platform positioning differs as well. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP6, targets the mobile market, and is listed as Active in production. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 2011-3, targets the desktop market, and is End-of-life. The release dates are far apart: the AMD part was released in April 2022, the Intel part in August 2014. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part does not.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core count: 4 cores and 8 threads for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U versus 6 cores and 12 threads for the Intel Core i7-5930K. Clock speeds also differ. The AMD part has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Intel part has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Thermal design power is a dramatic differentiator. The AMD part is rated at 15 W TDP, while the Intel part is rated at 140 W TDP. That is nearly a tenfold difference in power envelope, and it reflects the mobile versus desktop positioning. The AMD part is a low-power mobile processor; the Intel part is a high-power desktop processor from the Haswell-E generation.

The process node difference is 7 nm for AMD versus 22 nm for Intel. Transistor counts are 10,700 million versus 2,600 million, and die sizes are 180 mm² versus 356 mm². Cache per core: AMD has 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB for Intel, while Intel has a larger 15 MB shared L3 versus 8 MB for AMD.

Memory support: both use DDR4, but AMD is dual-channel at 51.2 GB/s and Intel is quad-channel at 68.3 GB/s. PCIe: AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 3 with 40 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD includes Radeon Vega 6, Intel includes none. Socket: AMD Socket FP6 versus Intel Socket 2011-3. Market segment: mobile versus desktop. Production status: Active versus End-of-life. Multiplier: locked for AMD, unlocked for Intel. Part numbers: 100-000000587 for AMD, SR20R for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U wins in every single-core measurement, every Cinebench test, and the Geekbench single-core test. The margins range from 9.6% to 31.6%, with the largest advantage in Geekbench single-core. This makes it the clear choice for workloads that depend on per-thread performance, such as lightly threaded applications, interactive responsiveness, and tasks where a single core does most of the work. Its 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics also make it suitable for compact mobile systems where power draw and integrated display output matter.

The Intel Core i7-5930K wins exactly one comparison: Geekbench multicore, by 20.8%. That result, combined with its 6 cores, 12 threads, quad-channel memory, 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, and 40 PCIe lanes, points to a different use case. This is a processor for memory-heavy and multi-threaded desktop workloads that can use all available cores and take advantage of high memory bandwidth. It is also unlocked, so overclocking is possible, though the database records no overclocked results. For raw multi-threaded throughput in a specific test, the Intel part remains competitive even against a much newer processor.

The average scores tell a nuanced story. The AMD part averages 2865, the Intel part 2775, a 3.2% difference in favor of AMD. But the Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G at 2774 and the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U at 2765, both of which are far newer and lower-power parts. The Intel chip is effectively holding its own against modern entry-level AMD processors, which is notable for a 2014-era desktop chip.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear overall winner in the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, has a higher average benchmark score (2865 versus 2775), and does so while drawing 15 W TDP compared to the Intel part's 140 W. It is also an active production part with a modern 7 nm process, whereas the Intel part is end-of-life on 22 nm. For anyone choosing between these two based on benchmark results alone, the AMD processor is the stronger pick in nearly every recorded workload.

The Intel Core i7-5930K has one specific strength: Geekbench multicore, where it beats the AMD part by 20.8%. It also offers quad-channel memory, 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, 40 PCIe lanes, and an unlocked multiplier. These are real specification advantages that matter for certain desktop workloads. If the workload is heavily multi-threaded and memory-bandwidth sensitive, and the platform can handle a 140 W TDP, the Intel part still has a role.

For most users, however, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5475U is the rational choice. It wins every Cinebench test, wins Geekbench single-core by a wide margin, consumes far less power, includes integrated graphics, and is still in production. The only scenario where the Intel part makes sense is one where Geekbench multicore performance, quad-channel memory, or PCIe lane count is the dominant requirement. Outside that specific niche, the benchmark record favors AMD.