AMD Ryzen 5 230 vs AMD Ryzen 5 7640U Comparison

Both the AMD Ryzen 5 230 and the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U are 6-core, 12-thread mobile processors on the same Zen 4 architecture, but the benchmark data shows they are not identical in execution. The Ryzen 5 7640U takes a commanding lead in the vast majority of tests, while the Ryzen 5 230 manages to eke out a narrow win in single-threaded PassMark tests. The data suggests that while these chips share a common lineage, the 7640U consistently delivers more performance across a broad range of workloads, making it the stronger choice for users who prioritize raw compute output.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the near-total dominance of the Ryzen 5 7640U. Out of 17 benchmark comparisons, the 7640U wins 15, with the Ryzen 5 230 taking only 2. This is not a close contest by any stretch.

In Cinebench tests, the 7640U consistently edges out the 230 by small margins. In Cinebench R23, the 7640U scores 17936 versus 17857 for the 230 in multi-core, a delta of -0.4%. The single-core R23 results are similarly close: 2532 for the 7640U versus 2521 for the 230. The R20 and R15 tests follow the same trend, with the 7640U winning by deltas of -0.5% and -0.4% respectively in both single and multi-core runs. These are minor differences, but they are consistent across every Cinebench version.

The gap widens significantly in PassMark tests. The 7640U’s lead in data compression is substantial: it scores 240032 versus 218588 for the 230, a delta of -8.9%. Data encryption shows an even larger gap, with the 7640U at 14954 and the 230 at 13280, a delta of -11.2%. The 7640U also leads by double digits in random string sorting (29382 vs 26019, a -11.4% delta) and in the prime number finding test (74 vs 66, a -10.8% delta). Floating point math and integer math also favor the 7640U, with deltas of -5.1% and -4.6% respectively.

The single biggest delta is in the PassMark physics test, where the 7640U scores 1169 versus 958 for the 230, a massive -18% difference. This suggests a significant advantage in physics simulation workloads. The PassMark multithread test also shows a clear win for the 7640U, at 21115 versus 19411, a -8.1% delta.

The only wins for the Ryzen 5 230 come in the PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, where it scores 3558 versus 3524 for the 7640U, a 1% delta. This is a narrow victory, but it indicates that the 230 has a slight edge in purely single-threaded, non-simultaneous execution.

Architecture Differences

Despite the performance differences, the two chips are architecturally very close. Both are built on the Zen 4 architecture and use TSMC’s 4 nm process node. The die size is identical at 178 mm², and both pack 25,000 million transistors. The cache hierarchy is also the same: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

The core and thread counts match at 6 cores and 12 threads, and both have a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Memory support is identical, with dual-channel DDR5 and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both use the AMD Socket FP8 and feature the Radeon 760M integrated graphics. PCIe support is also the same, with Gen 4 and 20 CPU-only lanes.

The key differences are in the codename and the TDP. The Ryzen 5 230 is codenamed Hawk Point, while the 7640U is codenamed Phoenix. The 230 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the 7640U has a TDP of 15 watts. This is a critical distinction. The 7640U is designed for a lower power envelope, yet it still outperforms the 230 in almost every test. This suggests that the 7640U’s silicon is more efficient or that the 230’s higher TDP does not translate into higher sustained performance in these benchmarks. Another difference is ECC memory support: the 7640U supports ECC, while the 230 does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 7640U is the clear winner in most compute-heavy scenarios. Its leads in Cinebench multi-core tests, while small, indicate it is better for rendering and CPU-bound productivity tasks. The larger margins in PassMark data compression, encryption, and sorting make it the better choice for file archiving, data processing, and database workloads. The significant lead in physics simulation (an 18% delta) strongly favors the 7640U for any application that relies on physics calculations, such as certain scientific simulations or gaming engines.

The Ryzen 5 230’s only wins are in single-threaded PassMark tests, where it holds a 1% advantage. This translates to a very slight edge in applications that are heavily dependent on a single core’s performance and do not leverage multithreading. For legacy software, some light scripting, or specific single-threaded benchmarks, the 230 might show a marginal benefit. However, this advantage is so small that it is unlikely to be noticeable in real-world use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster overall?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U wins 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons, including all Cinebench tests and most PassMark tests. The Ryzen 5 230 only wins the PassMark single-thread test by a 1% margin.

Q: How big is the performance difference between the two?

A: In Cinebench tests, the 7640U leads by small margins of -0.4% to -0.5%. In PassMark tests, the 7640U’s lead is much larger, ranging from -4.6% in integer math to -18% in physics simulation.

Q: Are these processors on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are based on Zen 4 architecture and manufactured on TSMC’s 4 nm process node. They have the same core count, cache size, and clock speeds.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Ryzen 5 230 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Ryzen 5 7640U has a TDP of 15 watts. Despite the lower TDP, the 7640U performs better in most benchmarks.

Q: Do they support the same memory and expansion?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and have Gen 4 PCIe with 20 CPU-only lanes. The 7640U also supports ECC memory, which the 230 does not.

Q: Do they have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both feature the Radeon 760M integrated GPU.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U. It is faster in virtually every workload category, from Cinebench rendering to PassMark’s compression, encryption, and physics tests. The fact that it achieves this while having a lower TDP of 15 watts compared to the 230’s 28 watts makes it the more compelling choice for nearly all users.

The Ryzen 5 230’s single 1% win in PassMark single-threaded performance is not enough to recommend it over the 7640U for general use. If a specific application is entirely single-threaded and the user is chasing every last bit of performance, the 230 technically has the edge. However, the margin is negligible. For any mixed workload, multitasking, content creation, or data processing, the 7640U is the superior processor based on the benchmark evidence.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 230 | AMD Ryzen 5 7640U |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Phoenix |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Part Number | 100-000001726 | 100-000001106(FP7r2)100-000001109(FP7)100-000001132(FP8) |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2023-05-02 |