AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i5-6500TE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 and Intel Core i5-6500TE are both quad-core desktop processors from the 14 nm era, yet benchmark results show they are not interchangeable. The Ryzen 5 1400 wins the majority of head-to-head comparisons, taking 3 out of 4 tests, including a dominant 122.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. However, the i5-6500TE strikes back in the more modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test, posting a 6.3% higher score. This split indicates that the choice depends heavily on the specific workload, with the Ryzen offering higher raw throughput in legacy tests and the Intel part showing better efficiency in newer multi-threaded scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has 8 threads via SMT, while the Intel Core i5-6500TE has only 4 threads. This gives the Ryzen a significant advantage in multi-threaded workloads, as reflected in its 60.7% higher score in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 has an average benchmark score of 1410, while the i5-6500TE scores 1399. This puts the Ryzen just 0.8% ahead on average, a margin that is nearly negligible and places both CPUs at the 37th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Does the Intel processor include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-6500TE includes HD Graphics 530, whereas the Ryzen 5 1400 has no integrated graphics. This means the Intel part can run a display without a discrete GPU, while the AMD part requires a separate graphics card.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500TE has a TDP of 35 W, which is substantially lower than the Ryzen 5 1400’s 65 W TDP. This makes the Intel part a better fit for compact or thermally constrained systems.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 had a launch MSRP of $169, while the Intel Core i5-6500TE had a launch MSRP of $192. The AMD part was cheaper at launch.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-6500TE does not. This makes the Ryzen a more suitable choice for error-sensitive computing environments.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural lineages, leading to distinct feature sets. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is based on the Zen architecture (codename Zen, Summit Ridge) from the 1000 series, built on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-6500TE uses the Skylake architecture, also on a 14 nm node, but fabricated by Intel with a smaller die size of 122 mm² and no listed transistor count.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The Ryzen 5 1400 offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-6500TE has smaller per-core caches: 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. This larger cache allocation gives the AMD part a potential edge in data-heavy workloads, though the Intel part’s lower latency Skylake design may compensate in some tasks.

Memory support also separates the two. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 memory only, with dual-channel bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i5-6500TE supports both DDR3 and DDR4, offering flexibility for older systems, but its dual-channel bandwidth is lower at 34.1 GB/s. Additionally, the Ryzen supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Intel chip. Both CPUs use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, but the Ryzen 5 1400 has an unlocked multiplier (part number YD1400BBM4KAEYD1400BBAEBOX), whereas the i5-6500TE is locked (part number SR2LR). The Intel part also includes HD Graphics 530, which the AMD chip lacks entirely.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 as the stronger performer in most tested scenarios. It wins three of four head-to-head tests, including a massive 122.9% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 60.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it maintains a solid 38.7% lead. For users working with legacy software or single-threaded applications, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the clear choice based on these results.

However, the Intel Core i5-6500TE is not without merit. It wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a 6.3% higher score, indicating that in current multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Intel part can outperform the AMD chip despite having half the threads. This is a significant result, as it suggests the Skylake architecture’s per-core efficiency can overcome the Ryzen’s thread count advantage in modern optimized software.

The i5-6500TE also holds advantages in platform flexibility and efficiency. Its 35 W TDP is less than half of the Ryzen’s 65 W, making it a better option for low-power systems. The inclusion of integrated graphics means it can operate without a discrete GPU, which is not possible with the Ryzen 5 1400. For users building a small, quiet, or budget-conscious system where a dedicated GPU is not planned, the Intel part is the practical pick.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on workload and system design. If raw benchmark performance in single-core and legacy multi-core tests is the priority, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 wins. If modern multi-threaded rendering, lower power draw, or integrated graphics are critical, the Intel Core i5-6500TE is the better fit.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-6500TE has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Ryzen runs at 3.20 GHz with a boost of 3.40 GHz, whereas the i5-6500TE starts at 2.30 GHz and boosts to 3.30 GHz. The Intel part’s lower base clock contributes to its 35 W TDP, compared to the Ryzen’s 65 W.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 only, with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-6500TE supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a lower bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip. Cache allocation also differs, with the Ryzen offering 96 KB L1, 512 KB L2, and 8 MB L3 per core (with L3 shared), versus the Intel’s 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and 6 MB L3.

Socket compatibility is exclusive to each: the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1151. The Ryzen 5 1400 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the i5-6500TE is locked. Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel part (HD Graphics 530). The Ryzen’s die size is 213 mm², while the Intel’s is 122 mm², and the AMD chip has 4,800 million transistors versus no listed count for Intel. Production status also differs: the Ryzen is Active, while the i5-6500TE is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a lopsided contest in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 1400, with one notable exception. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 688 against the Intel’s 428, a 60.7% advantage. This is the largest multi-core win in the dataset and aligns with the Ryzen’s 8 threads versus the Intel’s 4. The single-core R15 test is even more dramatic: the Ryzen scores 133.75 compared to the Intel’s 60, a 122.9% lead. This result is surprising given the Intel’s higher boost clock on paper, but the data is unambiguous.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 5 1400 continues its dominance with a score of 832 versus the Intel’s 600, a 38.7% lead. This indicates that the Zen architecture’s single-thread performance is consistently superior to Skylake in these tests. However, the tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the Intel Core i5-6500TE scores 4255 against the Ryzen’s 3985, a 6.3% win for Intel. This is the sole victory for the Intel part, and it suggests that newer Cinebench versions are optimized to leverage the Skylake architecture’s efficiency more effectively.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall parity: the Ryzen 5 1400 averages 1410, while the i5-6500TE averages 1399. The nearest rivals for the Ryzen include the Intel Core i5-4460 (delta -0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U (delta -0.4%), while the Intel part’s rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 (delta -0.1%) and the Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE (delta -0.4%). Both CPUs land at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall, but the head-to-head wins clearly favor AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 wins in scenarios that rely on legacy multi-threaded performance and single-thread speed. Its 60.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core makes it the better choice for older rendering workloads that are not optimized for the latest instruction sets. The 122.9% single-core R15 advantage is even more decisive, suggesting that older single-threaded applications will run significantly faster on the Ryzen. The 38.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core further reinforces this, showing that even in modern tests, the Ryzen’s single-core performance is superior. For users running a mix of legacy software or applications that favor higher clock speeds and more threads, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the proven winner.

The Intel Core i5-6500TE wins in modern multi-threaded rendering, as evidenced by its 6.3% higher score in Cinebench R23 multi-core. This is the only head-to-head test it wins, but it is a significant one for current workloads. The Intel part also wins on platform characteristics: its 35 W TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the Ryzen’s 65 W, and the integrated HD Graphics 530 allows for a system without a discrete GPU. For users building a low-power media server, a compact office PC, or any system where a dedicated graphics card is not required, the i5-6500TE’s feature set is more compelling. Its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory also provides flexibility for reusing existing RAM.

In summary, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the benchmark champion in most tests, while the i5-6500TE is the efficiency and integration champion. The choice is straightforward: pick the Ryzen for maximum compute performance in the tested benchmarks, or pick the Intel for lower power draw, integrated graphics, and a win in the most current multi-threaded test.