AMD Ryzen 5 1600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 4600G Comparison

Both processors are six-core, twelve-thread parts on the AMD Socket AM4 platform, yet the recorded data shows they deliver vastly different experiences. The Ryzen 5 4600G wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Ryzen 5 1600 claims a single victory. The decisive factor is generational: the 4600G uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process, while the 1600 uses the original Zen architecture on a 14 nm process. This is not a close contest in most workloads, though the older chip does hold one surprising advantage that may matter for specific use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 4600G is the clear winner in nearly every measured category. It takes all three Cinebench tests, both Geekbench tests, and the majority of Passmark workloads including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single thread. The largest margins appear in Cinebench R23, where the 4600G more than doubles the 1600's multicore score (13593 versus 6468, a 110.2% delta) and single-core score (1919 versus 915, a 109.7% delta). These are not incremental gains; they represent a full generational leap in instruction throughput.

The Ryzen 5 1600 wins exactly one benchmark: Passmark find prime numbers, scoring 35 against the 4600G's 32, a delta of -8.6%. This is a narrow but interesting result. Prime number finding is a workload that can be sensitive to specific instruction scheduling and cache behavior, and the older Zen design apparently still handles it slightly better. For anyone whose daily driver is heavily dependent on prime number sieving, this single data point is worth noting, but it is an isolated anomaly in an otherwise one-sided dataset.

The 4600G also brings integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 7) while the 1600 has none. That is not a benchmark score, but it is a functional win for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design eras. The Ryzen 5 4600G is built on Zen 2 with the codename Renoir, fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm process. The Ryzen 5 1600 uses the original Zen architecture with the codename Summit Ridge, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. The process shrink from 14 nm to 7 nm is the most obvious physical difference, but the transistor counts tell a more complete story: the 4600G packs 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the 1600 has 4,800 million transistors on a larger 213 mm² die. The newer chip crams more than twice the transistors into a smaller area, which explains much of its performance advantage.

Cache configurations also differ. The 4600G has 64 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The 1600 has 96 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core. The 1600 has twice the L3 capacity, yet it still loses badly in most tests, which suggests that the 4600G's superior core efficiency more than compensates for the smaller cache. The L1 difference is also notable: the 1600 has 96 KB per core versus 64 KB per core, but again, the newer architecture extracts more performance from less cache.

Memory bandwidth is higher on the 4600G at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the 1600, despite both using dual-channel DDR4. The 4600G also supports ECC memory as false in the database, while the 1600 lists ECC memory as true. The 1600 has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the 4600G has 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, giving it more room for expansion devices.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Ryzen 5 4600G wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1919 versus 915, a 109.7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1460 versus 1085, a 34.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 1600 win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, it wins Passmark find prime numbers with a score of 35 against the 4600G's 32, a delta of -8.6%. This is the only head-to-head test where it comes out ahead.

Q: Do both processors fit the same motherboard socket?

A: Yes, both use AMD Socket AM4, so they are physically compatible with the same socket. However, the 4600G is from the 4000 series with the Renoir codename, while the 1600 is from the 1000 series with the Summit Ridge codename, so motherboard BIOS support may vary.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen 5 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics. The Ryzen 5 1600 has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The 4600G has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the 1600 has 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 1600 more power efficient?

A: Both processors have a TDP of 65, so the database shows identical thermal design power. The 4600G achieves much higher performance within that same TDP envelope.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs share several specifications: both have 6 cores, 12 threads, a 65 TDP, the AMD Socket AM4, dual-channel DDR4 memory support, and an unlocked multiplier. Beyond that, nearly everything differs.

The 4600G has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The 1600 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The 4600G is built on a 7 nm process from TSMC, while the 1600 uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The 4600G has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die; the 1600 has 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die.

Cache differs: the 4600G has 64 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3, while the 1600 has 96 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for the 4600G and 42.7 GB/s for the 1600. ECC memory support is false for the 4600G and true for the 1600. The 4600G has 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes; the 1600 has 16. The 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics; the 1600 has none.

The 4600G was released on 2020-07-20 with a launch MSRP of $154. The 1600 was released on 2017-04-10 with a launch MSRP of $219. The 4600G has a part number of 100-000000147, while the 1600 has YD1600BBM6IAEYD1600BBAEBOX. Both are listed as Active production status and target the Desktop market segment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest wins for the 4600G come in Cinebench R23. Multicore shows 13593 versus 6468, a 110.2% delta, and single-core shows 1919 versus 915, a 109.7% delta. These are the only tests where the 4600G more than doubles the 1600's score. Passmark extended instructions also shows a massive gap: 15280 versus 6667, a 129.2% delta. This test likely reflects the 4600G's support for newer instruction set extensions on Zen 2.

Geekbench results show a 34.6% single-core advantage (1460 versus 1085) and a 19.4% multicore advantage (6637 versus 5558). Cinebench R15 shows a 31.3% single-core gap (193 versus 147) and a 21.3% multicore gap (1370 versus 1129). Passmark single-thread shows 2653 versus 2066, a 28.4% delta. Passmark floating point math shows 29947 versus 21402, a 39.9% delta, and integer math shows 50723 versus 41470, a 22.3% delta.

Other notable wins for the 4600G include Passmark data compression at 231426 versus 172053, a 34.5% delta; data encryption at 13572 versus 11683, a 16.2% delta; multithread at 15992 versus 12270, a 30.3% delta; random string sorting at 24246 versus 20240, a 19.8% delta; and physics at 676 versus 643, a 5.1% delta. The smallest win is physics, which suggests the two chips are closer in lightly threaded physics simulations than in other workloads.

The single 1600 win is Passmark find prime numbers: 35 versus 32, a -8.6% delta from the perspective of the 4600G. That is a narrow but real advantage.

The Verdict

The data points to the Ryzen 5 4600G as the superior processor for almost every workload. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from a modest 5.1% in Passmark physics to a dominant 129.2% in extended instructions. The 4600G also has integrated graphics, a higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes, all while carrying a launch MSRP of $154 versus the 1600's $219.

The Ryzen 5 1600 still holds one niche: prime number finding, where it scores 35 versus 32. It also has twice the L3 cache (16 MB versus 8 MB) and ECC memory support, which the 4600G lacks. Users who need ECC memory or who run prime-number-heavy workloads might prefer the 1600 despite its lower scores elsewhere.

For general desktop use, content creation, or gaming with a discrete GPU, the 4600G is the obvious choice from the recorded benchmarks. For specialized workloads that reward the 1600's cache layout or require ECC, the older chip retains a reason to exist. The benchmark database shows a generational chasm, but not a complete one.