AMD Ryzen 5 2400G vs Intel Core i7-3820 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and Intel Core i7-3820 represent two very different eras of desktop computing, yet they occupy the same performance percentile. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are remarkably close: 1439 for the AMD part versus 1424 for the Intel part. The data reveals a head-to-head contest where the Ryzen 5 2400G wins both available benchmark comparisons, but the underlying architectural philosophies and platform capabilities tell a more complex story about how each chip achieves its results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The direct benchmark comparisons available in the database show a decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G. In Cinebench R15 multi-core testing, the Ryzen 5 2400G scores 846.5 points against the Intel Core i7-3820's 496 points. This translates to a 70.7% advantage for the AMD processor, a massive gap that reflects not just generational improvements but fundamental design differences. The single-core results are even more lopsided: the Ryzen 5 2400G delivers 155.65 points versus 69 points for the i7-3820, a 125.6% delta. The AMD chip more than doubles the Intel chip's single-threaded performance in this specific test.

What makes these numbers striking is that both processors share the same core and thread counts — 4 cores and 8 threads each — and nearly identical base clocks (3.60 GHz for both). The boost clocks differ slightly, with the Ryzen 5 2400G reaching 3.90 GHz against the i7-3820's 3.80 GHz, but that 0.10 GHz difference cannot explain a 125.6% single-core gap. The data suggests that architectural efficiency, not raw clock speed, drives the performance separation. The i7-3820's Cinebench R15 single-core score of 69 is particularly low relative to its 3.60 GHz base clock, indicating that the older Sandy Bridge architecture struggles with modern instruction workloads. Meanwhile, the Ryzen 5 2400G's Zen architecture extracts substantially more work per clock cycle from the same core count.

It is importantly the Intel i7-3820 has additional benchmark results in the database that the AMD chip lacks, including Cinebench R20 and R23 scores. The i7-3820 posts 2067 points in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 291 in single-core, along with 4923 and 695 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core respectively. These scores are not directly comparable to the Ryzen 5 2400G since the AMD chip has no equivalent test results, but they provide context for where the Intel processor stands in more demanding modern workloads. The absence of matching benchmark data for the AMD chip limits the head-to-head comparison, yet the two tests that do overlap paint a consistent picture of AMD dominance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G uses a 14 nm process node manufactured by GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core i7-3820 relies on Intel's older 32 nm process. The transistor counts reflect this manufacturing divide: the AMD chip packs 4,950 million transistors onto a 210 mm² die, whereas the Intel chip has 1,270 million transistors on a larger 294 mm² die. This means the Ryzen 5 2400G crams nearly four times more transistors into a smaller physical area, a direct consequence of the more advanced fabrication technology.

The core architectures themselves belong to different generations. AMD's Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, represents a modern design philosophy focused on high instruction-level parallelism and efficiency. Intel's Sandy Bridge-E architecture, from the Core i7 generation, dates to an era when single-threaded performance was the primary design target. The cache hierarchies differ notably: the Ryzen 5 2400G provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, while the i7-3820 offers 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. However, the Intel chip features a much larger shared L3 cache at 10 MB versus the AMD chip's 4 MB shared L3. This larger L3 cache on the older Intel processor may help mitigate some memory latency penalties, but it does not compensate for the architectural efficiency differences seen in benchmarks.

Memory support marks another critical divergence. The Ryzen 5 2400G uses dual-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i7-3820 uses quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Despite the older DDR3 standard, the Intel chip's quad-channel configuration provides higher peak memory bandwidth. However, the Ryzen 5 2400G's integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics — a feature entirely absent from the i7-3820 — means the AMD chip must share memory bandwidth with its GPU, potentially impacting CPU-bound workloads. The Intel chip also offers 40 PCIe Gen 2 lanes from the CPU, far more than the AMD chip's 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which could matter for multi-GPU or high-expansion configurations.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G in both available head-to-head tests, but the broader specification differences suggest distinct use cases. The Ryzen 5 2400G wins decisively in Cinebench R15 multi-core and single-core workloads, making it the stronger choice for everyday productivity, web browsing, and applications that rely on modern instruction sets. Its integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics provide a complete computing solution without requiring a discrete GPU, which the i7-3820 cannot offer at all. The AMD chip's lower 65 W TDP versus the Intel chip's 130 W TDP also means less heat generation and potentially lower cooling requirements, though the data does not specify cooler performance.

The Intel Core i7-3820's advantages lie in platform features rather than raw benchmark scores. Its quad-channel DDR3 memory configuration delivers 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, exceeding the AMD chip's 46.9 GB/s. The 40 PCIe Gen 2 lanes from the CPU enable extensive expansion options, whereas the Ryzen 5 2400G only provides 8 Gen 3 lanes. For users building systems with multiple storage controllers, capture cards, or other PCIe devices, the Intel platform offers far more headroom. The i7-3820 also carries a larger 10 MB L3 cache, which may benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads even if the overall benchmark results do not reflect this advantage. However, the i7-3820 is marked as end-of-life production status, while the Ryzen 5 2400G remains active, suggesting ongoing availability and support for the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G posts an average benchmark score of 1439, while the Intel Core i7-3820 scores 1424. This places the AMD chip 0.2% ahead of its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-4712HQ, and the Intel chip 0.1% ahead of its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core testing, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G scores 155.65 points against the Intel Core i7-3820's 69 points, giving the AMD chip a 125.6% advantage. This is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark.

Q: What are the memory configuration differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core i7-3820 supports quad-channel DDR3 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip's quad-channel setup provides higher peak bandwidth despite using older DDR3 memory.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G includes integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon RX Vega 11 GPU. The Intel Core i7-3820 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: What are the production statuses of these processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is marked as active production status, while the Intel Core i7-3820 is listed as end-of-life. The AMD chip was released on 2018-02-11, and the Intel chip on 2012-02-12.

Q: How do their TDP ratings compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel Core i7-3820 has a TDP of 130 W. The AMD chip consumes half the thermal design power of the Intel chip.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 2400G | Intel Core i7-3820 |

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

| Architecture | Zen | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Sandy Bridge-E |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,950 million | 1,270 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 294 mm² |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 130 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 2011 |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 46.9 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes | Gen 2, 40 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega 11 | None |

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

| Release Date | 2018-02-11 | 2012-02-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $169 | $305 |

| Part Number | YD2400C5M4MFB | SR0LD |

The Verdict

The benchmark data unambiguously favors the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G for raw computational performance. Its 70.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 125.6% lead in single-core over the Intel Core i7-3820 demonstrate that architectural advancements have delivered massive performance gains over the six-year gap between their releases. The AMD chip achieves this with half the TDP, a smaller die, and integrated graphics, making it the superior choice for most desktop workloads, particularly those that benefit from modern instruction-level parallelism and single-threaded efficiency.

However, the Intel Core i7-3820 retains select platform advantages that may matter for specific use cases. Its quad-channel DDR3 memory offers higher peak bandwidth, and its 40 PCIe Gen 2 lanes provide far greater expansion capability than the AMD chip's 8 Gen 3 lanes. The larger 10 MB L3 cache could also benefit certain server-style workloads. Yet with end-of-life production status and a launch MSRP of $305 versus $169 for the AMD chip, the i7-3820's practical appeal is limited to niche scenarios requiring its unique platform features. For most users, the data supports choosing the Ryzen 5 2400G, which is still in active production and delivers dramatically better benchmark results while using less power and including a capable integrated GPU. The 37th percentile ranking for both chips indicates they occupy similar overall performance tiers, but the Ryzen 5 2400G achieves that standing with vastly superior efficiency and modern feature support.