AMD Ryzen 5 2400G vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 2400G vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and Intel Core i7-4712HQ are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target entirely different segments: the Ryzen 5 2400G is a desktop part from 2018 built on Zen architecture, while the Core i7-4712HQ is a 2014 mobile processor based on Haswell. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1439 for the AMD versus 1436 for the Intel, a mere 0.2% difference — yet the head-to-head benchmark results tell a very different story, with the AMD part winning all four shared tests by margins ranging from 8.7% to 143.2%. This gap between near-identical averages and lopsided head-to-head results invites a closer look at what each processor actually does well.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the shared benchmark suite is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen 5 2400G scores 155.65 against the Core i7-4712HQ's 64 — a 143.2% advantage for AMD. This is an enormous margin, and it reflects the fundamental clock speed and architectural differences between the two parts. The Ryzen 5 2400G runs at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the Core i7-4712HQ is limited to 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The AMD part's single-core performance is so dominant that it nearly doubles the Intel chip's score in this test.

Multi-core performance shows a similar pattern, though the gap narrows. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 2400G scores 846.5 versus the Core i7-4712HQ's 454, an 86.5% advantage. Both processors have the same core and thread counts, so this difference comes down to higher clocks and more efficient execution per clock on the Zen architecture. The Intel part's 37W TDP likely constrains its sustained multi-core performance, while the AMD part's 65W TDP allows for more aggressive operation.

Geekbench results are closer but still favor AMD decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the Ryzen 5 2400G scores 3750 against 2734 for the Core i7-4712HQ, a 37.2% lead. Single-core Geekbench shows the smallest margin of all four tests: 1003 versus 923, an 8.7% advantage for AMD. This narrower gap in Geekbench single-core suggests that the Intel chip's Haswell architecture remains competitive on a per-clock basis in some workloads, but the AMD part's higher clock speeds still give it the edge.

It is worth remembering the Core i7-4712HQ has additional Cinebench R20 and R23 results in its benchmark record — 1895 multi-core and 267 single-core in R20, and 4512 multi-core and 637 single-core in R23 — but no corresponding Ryzen 5 2400G scores exist for those tests in the data. The comparison is therefore limited to the four shared benchmarks, all of which the AMD processor wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G has an average benchmark score of 1439, while the Intel Core i7-4712HQ scores 1436. The difference is 0.2%, placing them as near-exact rivals in overall performance.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 2400G in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 5 2400G scores 155.65 versus 64 for the Core i7-4712HQ, representing a 143.2% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the lead narrows to 8.7% (1003 versus 923).

Q: Does the Core i7-4712HQ win any benchmark against the Ryzen 5 2400G?

A: No. Across the four shared benchmarks — Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, Geekbench multi-core, and Geekbench single-core — the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G wins all four.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Ryzen 5 2400G has a 65W TDP, while the Core i7-4712HQ is rated at 37W. This makes the Intel part considerably more power-efficient on paper, despite its lower performance.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 5 2400G boosts to 3.90 GHz, compared to 3.30 GHz for the Core i7-4712HQ. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz.

Q: How do their percentiles compare to all CPUs?

A: Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database. Their nearest common rival, the Intel Core i7-2600K, scores 1433, which is 0.5% behind the Ryzen 5 2400G and 0.2% behind the Core i7-4712HQ.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 2400G wins every benchmark where both processors have data, so its strengths are clear. It excels in multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R15 multi-core, where its 846.5 score is 86.5% higher than the Intel part's 454. The AMD chip also dominates single-threaded tasks, particularly in Cinebench R15 single-core where its 143.2% lead is the largest margin in any test. For users running CPU-intensive applications — rendering, compiling, or general desktop productivity — the Ryzen 5 2400G is the stronger choice based on this data.

The Core i7-4712HQ has no benchmark wins, but its profile suggests different strengths. Its 37W TDP versus the AMD part's 65W means it consumes less power, which is typical for a mobile processor. The Intel chip also supports DDR3 memory with a 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s — but the Intel part's lower power draw could be an advantage in thermally constrained environments. Its Geekbench single-core score of 923 is within 8.7% of the AMD part, indicating that in some lightly threaded tasks, the gap is modest.

The integrated graphics also differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 2400G features Radeon RX Vega 11, while the Core i7-4712HQ has Intel HD 4600. Without dedicated GPU benchmark scores in the data, this comparison is qualitative, but the Radeon Vega 11 is generally positioned as a more capable iGPU for gaming and graphics workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The Ryzen 5 2400G has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost of 3.90 GHz, while the Core i7-4712HQ runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. TDP is 65W for AMD versus 37W for Intel. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen, Intel BGA 1364 for the Core i7.

Memory support diverges completely — the Ryzen 5 2400G uses DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i7-4712HQ uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. Both are dual-channel. PCIe lanes differ: the AMD part provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Ryzen 5 2400G has an unlocked multiplier; the Core i7-4712HQ is locked.

The integrated GPUs differ: Radeon RX Vega 11 for AMD versus Intel HD 4600 for Intel. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile, and production status is Active versus End-of-life. Release dates are 2018-02-11 for AMD and 2014-03-31 for Intel. Launch MSRP is $169 for the Ryzen 5 2400G and $378 for the Core i7-4712HQ.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 2400G is built on TSMC's 14 nm process with 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Its architecture is Zen, codenamed Raven Ridge, from the 2000 series. The Core i7-4712HQ uses Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, based on Haswell architecture. The transistor count difference is substantial — 4,950 million versus 1,400 million — reflecting the integration of the Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics on the AMD die.

Cache layouts differ notably. The Ryzen 5 2400G has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Core i7-4712HQ has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel part has 50% more L3 cache, while the AMD part has larger L1 and L2 caches per core.

The foundries differ — GlobalFoundries for AMD, Intel for Intel. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 5 2400G has a part number of YD2400C5M4MFB, while the Core i7-4712HQ is SR1PZ. The Intel part belongs to the Core i7 generation under Haswell, while AMD's is Ryzen 5 under Zen (Raven Ridge).

The Verdict

For users choosing between these two processors, the data strongly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G in raw performance. It wins all four shared benchmarks, with advantages ranging from 8.7% to 143.2%. The multi-core lead of 86.5% in Cinebench R15 makes it the clear choice for threaded workloads, and its single-core advantage of 143.2% in the same test family shows it is also superior for lightly threaded tasks. The Geekbench results confirm this pattern, though with a narrower single-core margin.

The Core i7-4712HQ's case rests on efficiency rather than performance. Its 37W TDP is nearly half the Ryzen 5 2400G's 65W, making it better suited for power-constrained mobile systems. It also supports 16 PCIe lanes versus 8, which could matter for external GPU or high-bandwidth peripheral configurations. Its end-of-life production status, however, means it is no longer actively manufactured.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1439 versus 1436 — but this masks the lopsided head-to-head results. The Ryzen 5 2400G's higher clock speeds and more modern architecture deliver consistently better performance in every measured test. Its active production status, unlocked multiplier, and lower launch MSRP of $169 (versus $378) further strengthen its position.

In practical terms, the Ryzen 5 2400G is the processor to choose for desktop workloads where performance matters most. The Core i7-4712HQ, with its lower TDP and mobile socket, belongs in legacy laptop upgrades or power-sensitive builds where the 8.7% single-core gap is acceptable. The data does not support choosing the Intel part for performance reasons — it wins nothing in the shared benchmarks — but its efficiency profile gives it a niche in mobile applications. For anyone else, the Ryzen 5 2400G is the clear benchmark winner.