AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i7-3840QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3840QM and AMD Ryzen 5 1400 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, yet they deliver surprisingly divergent results depending on the workload. The data reveals a generational clash: an older mobile flagship from 2012 versus a newer desktop mainstream part from 2017. While their overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1416 vs 1410), the distribution of wins tells a more complex story about architecture, platform, and intended use.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests, winning both multi-core and single-core by significant margins. In the R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen scores 688 against Intel's 498, a delta of -27.6% from the Intel's perspective. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 133.75 versus 70, a -47.7% delta. This suggests that in legacy workloads—particularly those optimized for older instruction sets or lower thread counts—the Ryzen's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.80 GHz provides a substantial advantage.

However, the Intel i7-3840QM strikes back in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 4952 against the Ryzen's 3985, a +24.3% delta. This is a remarkable reversal. The Intel part wins the most modern multi-threaded benchmark despite being five years older and having a lower base clock. The Ryzen does retain a single-core win in R23 (832 vs 699, -16% delta), but the multi-core result flips the overall narrative. The data suggests that the Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture scales better with newer rendering engines, or that the Ryzen 5 1400's modest 3.40 GHz boost clock limits its multi-threaded throughput in longer, more demanding workloads.

Architecture Differences

The most striking architectural difference is the process node: Intel uses 22 nm while AMD uses 14 nm. This explains the transistor counts: Intel packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, while AMD crams 4,800 million into 213 mm². The Ryzen's Zen architecture is denser and newer, yet the Intel part's older 22 nm process somehow delivers superior R23 multi-core results.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Intel i7-3840QM has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the Ryzen 5 1400 has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2. Both share 8 MB of L3. The Ryzen's larger per-core caches should theoretically help, but the benchmark results indicate this advantage doesn't translate universally.

Memory support is a major divider. Intel uses DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration with no ECC support, while AMD uses DDR4 with a rated bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Ryzen also features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel's PCIe configuration is not specified. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), while the Ryzen has none, requiring a discrete GPU.

TDP differences are notable: 45 W for Intel versus 65 W for AMD. This reflects their market segments—the i7-3840QM is a mobile processor on BGA 1224, while the Ryzen 5 1400 is a desktop part on AM4. The Ryzen's multiplier is unlocked, the Intel's is not. The Ryzen's production status is Active, while the Intel's is not stated.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for specific use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the better choice for legacy single-threaded applications and older multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 performance is decisively superior, and its single-core wins across both R15 and R23 indicate it handles lightly-threaded tasks more effectively. The Ryzen also offers modern platform benefits: DDR4 memory, ECC support, PCIe Gen 3, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The Intel Core i7-3840QM is the better choice for modern multi-threaded rendering. Its R23 multi-core score of 4952 versus 3985 is a 24.3% advantage that cannot be ignored. This is counterintuitive for a 2012 mobile chip, but the data is unambiguous. For users running current Cinebench R23 workloads, the Intel part delivers more raw multi-core performance.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly tied (1416 vs 1410), placing both at the 37th percentile of all CPUs. Their nearest rivals are identical: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U, AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314, and Intel Core i5-4460 all sit within 0.4% of both processors. This means the choice between them should be driven by workload, not overall capability. The Ryzen's launch MSRP is $169, once stated for reference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-3840QM wins with a score of 4952 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 1400's 3985, a delta of +24.3%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Ryzen wins three of the four head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core (688 vs 498), Cinebench R15 single-core (133.75 vs 70), and Cinebench R23 single-core (832 vs 699).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel i7-3840QM has a TDP of 45 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports ECC memory. The Intel i7-3840QM does not.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical: Intel scores 1416 and AMD scores 1410, a difference of only 0.4%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test is a decisive win for the AMD Ryzen 5 1400. With a score of 688 against Intel's 498, the Ryzen leads by 190 points, a -27.6% delta from Intel's perspective. This is the largest absolute point gap in the entire head-to-head set. The Ryzen's higher base clock and newer memory architecture likely contribute, but the margin is substantial.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test is even more lopsided. The Ryzen scores 133.75, while the Intel part manages only 70—a -47.7% delta. This nearly doubles the Intel's score and represents the biggest percentage difference in either direction. For any legacy single-threaded application, the Ryzen is clearly superior.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips the script. Intel wins with 4952 against the Ryzen's 3985, a +24.3% delta. This 967-point margin is the largest absolute gap in the dataset, and it favors the older Intel chip. The result suggests that modern rendering engines extract more parallelism from the Intel's architecture, possibly due to differences in core design, cache behavior, or memory latency.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test returns to AMD's favor. The Ryzen scores 832 against Intel's 699, a -16% delta. This is a smaller margin than the R15 single-core test, but still a clear win. Across all four tests, the Ryzen wins three, but the Intel's single multi-core victory is decisive enough to shift the overall narrative.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every specification field except cores, threads, L3 cache size, and memory bus width. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, both share 8 MB of L3 cache, and both use dual-channel memory. Beyond these similarities, the parts diverge sharply.

• Base clock: Intel 2.80 GHz vs AMD 3.20 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 3.80 GHz vs AMD 3.40 GHz
• TDP: Intel 45 W vs AMD 65 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1224 vs AMD Socket AM4
• Process node: Intel 22 nm vs AMD 14 nm
• Transistors: Intel 1,400 million vs AMD 4,800 million
• Die size: Intel 160 mm² vs AMD 213 mm²
• L1 cache: Intel 64 KB per core vs AMD 96 KB per core
• L2 cache: Intel 256 KB per core vs AMD 512 KB per core
• Memory type: Intel DDR3 vs AMD DDR4
• Memory bandwidth: Intel not specified vs AMD 42.7 GB/s
• ECC support: Intel no vs AMD yes
• PCIe: Intel not specified vs AMD Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4000 vs AMD none
• Market segment: Intel Mobile vs AMD Desktop
• Unlocked multiplier: Intel no vs AMD yes
• Production status: Intel not specified vs AMD Active
• Release date: Intel 2012-09-02 vs AMD 2017-04-10
• Launch MSRP: Intel not specified vs AMD $169