AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i7-3720QM Comparison

The benchmark results reveal a clear split between these two four-core, eight-thread processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests and single-core workloads, while the Intel Core i7-3720QM shows surprising strength in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Overall, the Ryzen 5 1400 claims three of the four head-to-head wins, but the Intel part's single victory is substantial enough to warrant careful consideration depending on workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 133.75 against the Intel Core i7-3720QM's 66. That is a 50.7% advantage, more than doubling the Intel chip's performance in this specific test. This massive gap highlights the generational improvement in single-thread efficiency between Intel's 2012 Ivy Bridge architecture and AMD's 2017 Zen design.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 1400 again takes the win with a score of 688 versus 475 for the Intel part, a 31% margin. This result aligns with the single-core finding, suggesting that the Ryzen's architectural advantages carry through to fully threaded workloads in this benchmark version.

However, the picture changes dramatically in Cinebench R23. The Intel Core i7-3720QM posts a multi-core score of 4718, beating the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985 by 18.4%. This is a notable reversal, indicating that the newer R23 workload scales differently with the Intel chip's architecture, possibly leveraging its higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz versus the Ryzen's 3.40 GHz.

The final head-to-head test, Cinebench R23 single-core, returns to the expected pattern. The Ryzen 5 1400 scores 832 versus 666 for the Intel Core i7-3720QM, a 20% advantage. While not as lopsided as the R15 single-core result, this still represents a clear win for AMD in single-threaded performance under the newer benchmark.

The overall win count sits at 3-1 in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 1400. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1421 for the Intel and 1410 for the AMD — placing both at the 37th percentile among all CPUs. This near-parity in average score, despite the divergent head-to-head results, underscores how benchmark selection dramatically influences perceived performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-3720QM uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It launched in April 2012 as a mobile processor. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 uses the Zen architecture, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm node with 4,800 million transistors across a 213 mm² die, arriving in April 2017 as a desktop part.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Intel chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part offers larger per-core allocations: 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, plus 8 MB of shared L3. These larger caches contribute to the Ryzen's superior single-thread performance in most tests.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The Intel Core i7-3720QM has a 2.60 GHz base clock but boosts to 3.60 GHz, giving it a 1.0 GHz boost range. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 starts higher at 3.20 GHz base but only boosts to 3.40 GHz, a mere 0.2 GHz headroom. This explains why the Intel chip can win in some multi-threaded scenarios despite its lower base frequency.

Memory support differs significantly. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 memory with a rated bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Intel part's memory support is not specified in the data. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel processor. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Other notable differences include the AMD's unlocked multiplier versus the Intel's locked design, and the Intel's integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics versus no integrated graphics on the AMD part. The Intel chip uses the BGA 1224 socket while the AMD uses Socket AM4, with the latter offering Gen 3 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes. The Ryzen 5 1400 remains in active production, while the Intel part's production status is not listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM edges out the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 with an average benchmark score of 1421 versus 1410, a difference of only 11 points or roughly 0.8%.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM wins this test decisively, scoring 4718 against the AMD Ryzen 5 1400's 3985, representing an 18.4% advantage for the Intel chip.

Q: What is the single-core performance gap in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 dominates, scoring 133.75 versus 66 for the Intel Core i7-3720QM, a 50.7% difference that nearly doubles the Intel's score.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both feature 4 cores and 8 threads, though their underlying architectures, cache sizes, and clock speeds differ substantially.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 1400's launch MSRP available?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 1400 launched with an MSRP of $169. No launch MSRP is listed for the Intel Core i7-3720QM.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-3720QM does not list ECC support in its specifications.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 as the stronger all-around performer, winning three of four head-to-head benchmarks. Its single-core advantages are particularly pronounced — 50.7% in Cinebench R15 and 20% in Cinebench R23 — making it the clear choice for single-threaded applications. The Ryzen also offers modern features absent from the Intel part: DDR4 memory support, ECC capability, an unlocked multiplier, and active production status.

However, the Intel Core i7-3720QM should not be dismissed. Its 18.4% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core demonstrates that it can outpace the Ryzen in certain modern, heavily threaded workloads. This result appears tied to its higher 3.60 GHz boost clock and possibly its architecture's behavior under the R23 workload's specific demands.

For most users, the Ryzen 5 1400's combination of newer architecture, superior single-core performance, and broader feature set makes it the better recommendation. The Intel chip's lone win, while significant, does not offset the AMD part's advantages across the majority of tested scenarios. The near-identical average benchmark scores — 1421 versus 1410 — suggest that in mixed workloads, the two are closer than the head-to-head results imply, but the Ryzen's consistency gives it the edge.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3720QM | AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1224 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Zen |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | Not specified | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Not specified | Active |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2017-04-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $169 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 wins in single-threaded applications, as demonstrated by its decisive margins in both Cinebench R15 single-core (50.7% ahead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (20% ahead). It is also the better choice for users who need DDR4 memory support, ECC functionality, or an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Its active production status ensures ongoing availability.

The Intel Core i7-3720QM wins specifically in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it outperforms the Ryzen by 18.4%. This suggests it may be preferable for certain modern, heavily threaded workloads that align with the R23 benchmark's characteristics. Additionally, its lower 45 W TDP makes it more power-efficient, which matters in mobile applications where the Intel chip is designed to operate. Its integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics provide a display output capability that the Ryzen lacks entirely.

The choice ultimately depends on workload priority. For general desktop use, single-threaded tasks, and modern memory features, the Ryzen 5 1400 is superior. For specific multi-threaded scenarios matching Cinebench R23's profile, and for power-sensitive mobile deployments, the Intel Core i7-3720QM holds merit despite its age.