AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the Intel Core i7-4712HQ versus the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 shows a split result across four Cinebench tests, with the AMD part claiming three wins and Intel taking one. The most decisive margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen 5 1400 scores 133.75 against the Core i7-4712HQ's 64, a 52.1% advantage. This is the largest gap in the entire comparison, and it reflects a fundamental difference in per-thread performance between the two designs. The Ryzen 5 1400 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with a score of 688 versus 454, a 34% lead. That result is substantial, but it is not as large as the single-core gap, suggesting the Intel part scales somewhat better across all cores even though it loses outright.

The single Intel victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core i7-4712HQ scores 4512 against the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985, a 13.2% edge. This is a notable reversal. In the older R15 multi-core test, the AMD chip led by 34%, but in the newer R23 workload, Intel leads by over 13%. The shift likely reflects workload changes between the two Cinebench versions, with R23 stressing sustained multi-threaded throughput in a way that favors the Intel part's architecture. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 5 1400 wins again with 832 versus 637, a 23.4% margin. That result confirms the AMD chip's single-thread superiority, but the smaller margin compared to the R15 single-core gap (52.1%) suggests the newer test narrows the per-core difference.

Looking at the aggregate benchmark scores, the two CPUs land nearly side by side. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ has an average benchmark score of 1436, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 sits at 1410. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G with an average score of 1439 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i7-2600K at 1433 (0.2% lower), the AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE at 1444 (0.6% higher), and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 at 1446 (0.7% higher). The Ryzen 5 1400's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-4460 at 1415 (0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 at 1415 (0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U at 1415 (0.4% higher), and the Intel Pentium Gold G7400TE at 1404 (0.4% lower). Both parts rank at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier despite their very different architectural approaches.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies and market segments. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ is a mobile part built on the Haswell architecture, using a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is a desktop chip based on the Zen architecture, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process, with 4,800 million transistors and a 213 mm² die. The transistor count difference is striking: the AMD chip packs over three times as many transistors into a die that is only about 20% larger. This reflects Zen's design with more complex cores, larger caches, and a different internal layout.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 5 1400 thus provides more cache at every level, which contributes to its single-thread performance advantage in the benchmarks. The Intel part's smaller cache hierarchy is a consequence of its older Haswell design and its mobile power envelope.

Memory support is another major divergence. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a theoretical bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a much higher theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. That is a 67% increase in memory bandwidth on paper, and it likely helps the AMD part in memory-sensitive workloads. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. Both CPUs use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, so there is no difference in that regard.

The integrated graphics situation is another clear split. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, making it a complete package for systems without a discrete GPU. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a separate graphics card. This is a meaningful distinction for system builders, though it does not directly affect the CPU benchmark results.

Clock speeds and power consumption are also quite different. The Intel part runs at a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, with a TDP of 37 watts. The AMD part runs at a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, with a TDP of 65 watts. The AMD chip has a higher base clock by 0.90 GHz, but its boost clock is only 0.10 GHz higher. The Intel part uses far less power, which is expected for a mobile processor. The Ryzen 5 1400's higher TDP reflects its desktop orientation and the larger, more power-hungry Zen cores.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the clear winner in single-threaded performance across both Cinebench R15 and R23. Its single-core scores are 133.75 and 832, respectively, versus 64 and 637 for the Intel part. This makes it the better choice for lightly threaded applications, such as older games, spreadsheet work, or any task that relies on one or two fast cores. The 52.1% lead in R15 single-core is particularly pronounced, indicating that for legacy workloads the AMD chip offers a massive per-core advantage.

The Ryzen 5 1400 also wins in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, scoring 688 against 454. That 34% lead suggests that for applications built around older threading models, the AMD part is substantially faster. The combination of higher clock speeds and larger caches appears to give it an edge in this workload. However, the Intel Core i7-4712HQ takes the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 4512 versus 3985, a 13.2% lead. This suggests that for modern, heavily threaded workloads, the Intel architecture holds up better, possibly due to more efficient core utilization or better sustained performance under load.

The Intel part's win in R23 multi-core is notable because it flips the result from the older test. This makes the Intel chip the better option for modern multi-threaded rendering or computation tasks, even though it loses in single-thread and older multi-thread tests. The Intel part also has the advantage of integrated graphics, making it suitable for compact systems where a discrete GPU is not available. Its 37 watt TDP is less than half of the AMD part's 65 watts, so it is far more efficient in power-constrained environments like laptops or small form factor builds.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400, being a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, offers overclocking flexibility that the Intel chip does not have. It also supports ECC memory, which is valuable for workstation or server use where data integrity is critical. Its higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s) gives it an edge in memory-bound applications. For users building a desktop system with a discrete GPU, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the stronger performer in most of the recorded benchmarks, especially in single-thread and older multi-thread workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 scores 832 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i7-4712HQ scores 637. The AMD part leads by 23.4%.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 scores 688, and the Intel Core i7-4712HQ scores 454. The AMD part is 34% faster in this test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4712HQ win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel part wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 4512 versus 3985 for the AMD Ryzen 5 1400, a 13.2% advantage.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ has an average benchmark score of 1436, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has an average benchmark score of 1410.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4712HQ does not.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ includes Intel HD 4600 graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4712HQ | AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

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

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 213 mm² |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 37 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| 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 | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2014-03-31 | 2017-04-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | $169 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR1PZ | YD1400BBM4KAEYD1400BBAEBOX |