AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE vs Intel Core i7-4790T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE and Intel Core i7-4790T are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors, but the benchmark data shows a consistent and decisive edge for the AMD part. Across every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison, the Ryzen 5 2400GE wins, with margins ranging from 13.2% to 13.8%. The Intel Core i7-4790T does not win a single benchmark in this dataset, making the recommendation straightforward: the Ryzen 5 2400GE is the stronger performer in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The Intel part, however, remains a viable option in scenarios where its platform characteristics—specifically its socket and memory support—are more important than raw Cinebench scores. The data indicates the Ryzen 5 2400GE is the superior choice for users prioritizing processing power, while the i7-4790T should be considered only when platform compatibility with Socket 1150 and DDR3 memory is a hard requirement.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE outperforms the Intel Core i7-4790T in every measured category. In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen scores 615 multi-core versus Intel’s 541, a 13.7% advantage, and 86 single-core versus 76, a 13.2% lead. These margins hold steady across newer workloads—Cinebench R20 shows a 13.6% multi-core win and a 13.8% single-core win, while R23 repeats the 13.6% multi-core and single-core deltas. This consistency across multiple test generations suggests the performance gap is architectural rather than workload-specific. The average benchmark score reinforces this: the Ryzen 5 2400GE sits at 1766, while the i7-4790T is at 1755, placing both in the 41st percentile of all CPUs. For any user whose priority is compute performance, the Ryzen 5 2400GE is the clear pick. The i7-4790T, with zero wins in the head-to-head, is only relevant for those who need its older platform—Intel Socket 1150 and DDR3 memory—and cannot migrate to AM4 and DDR4. The data does not support choosing the Intel part for performance reasons.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Ryzen 5 2400GE is built on AMD’s Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, using a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,950 million transistors onto a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-4790T uses the older Haswell architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm node, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. This generational gap explains the performance delta—the newer, denser Zen design delivers higher instructions per clock despite a lower boost clock. The Ryzen has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel part runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. Despite the Intel chip’s higher boost frequency, the Ryzen still wins all single-core tests, indicating that Zen’s architecture overcomes the 0.10 GHz frequency deficit. Cache configurations also differ significantly: the Ryzen 5 2400GE has 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3, while the i7-4790T offers 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but doubles the shared L3 to 8 MB. The larger L3 on the Intel part does not compensate for its older core design in these benchmarks. The Ryzen also features a more modern memory interface, supporting DDR4 with dual-channel bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, versus the Intel’s DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ as well—the Ryzen sports a Radeon RX Vega 11, while the Intel has HD 4600, though no graphics benchmarks are provided. The Ryzen is unlocked (multiplierUnlocked: true), while the Intel is locked, and the Ryzen remains in active production, whereas the Intel is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T boosts to 3.90 GHz, which is 0.10 GHz higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE’s 3.80 GHz boost. Despite this, the AMD chip wins all single-core Cinebench tests.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 6107 versus the Intel’s 5378, a 13.6% advantage. Similar margins appear in R15 (13.7%) and R20 (13.6%).

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-4790T supports DDR3, also dual-channel, but with a lower 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Core i7-4790T uses Intel Socket 1150. These are not interchangeable.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 4 MB shared L3 on the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE. The AMD part has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Q: Is the Intel part still in production?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-4790T is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE has an active production status.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every platform-level specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-4790T uses Haswell on 22 nm. The Ryzen’s die is larger at 210 mm² versus 177 mm², and it integrates far more transistors—4,950 million versus 1,400 million. Base clocks differ: 3.20 GHz for AMD versus 2.70 GHz for Intel, though the Intel boost clock is higher at 3.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. Thermal design power favors the AMD part at 35 W, compared to Intel’s 45 W. Cache hierarchies are distinct: the Ryzen has 128 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3, while the Intel has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is the clearest generational split—DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth on AMD versus DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s on Intel. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the AMD offering 8 CPU lanes versus Intel’s 16, both Gen 3. The integrated graphics units are different models: Radeon RX Vega 11 on AMD and Intel HD 4600 on Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip is locked. Production status is active for AMD and end-of-life for Intel. The release dates are also far apart, with Intel launching on 2014-04-30 and AMD on 2018-04-18.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE, with all six Cinebench tests won by the same narrow-to-moderate margins. The largest gap is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Ryzen scores 362 versus 318, a 13.8% delta. The smallest is Cinebench R15 single-core, at 86 versus 76, a 13.2% difference. Multi-core tests are remarkably consistent: R15 shows 615 versus 541 (13.7%), R20 shows 2564 versus 2258 (13.6%), and R23 shows 6107 versus 5378 (13.6%). The single-core results are equally stable, with R23 at 862 versus 759 (13.6%) and R20 at 13.8%. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is not tied to a specific workload type but is a general architectural advantage. The Intel i7-4790T’s higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz does not translate into any benchmark win, indicating that the Zen core’s efficiency at lower clocks overcomes the frequency deficit. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the Ryzen’s 1766 average is just slightly above the Intel’s 1755. However, the Ryzen’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4870HQ (1769, -0.2% delta), while the Intel’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE (1750, 0.3% delta). Both CPUs sit at the 41st percentile of all CPUs, but the head-to-head data shows the Ryzen is clearly the stronger part within this pairing.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE wins every processing workload measured. It is the better choice for multi-threaded applications like 3D rendering and video encoding, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6107, which is 729 points ahead of the Intel’s 5378. Its single-core advantage, shown by the 862 versus 759 R23 result, also makes it the better option for lightly-threaded tasks such as everyday desktop responsiveness and legacy software that relies on one or two threads. The Ryzen also offers a more power-efficient package at 35 W TDP versus 45 W, a lower transistor count per die but a more modern design, and active production status, meaning it is still available for new systems. The Intel Core i7-4790T, with zero benchmark wins, does not have a performance-based use case in this comparison. Its only advantages are platform-specific: it uses the older Intel Socket 1150 and supports DDR3 memory, which may be relevant for users upgrading an existing Haswell-era system without changing the motherboard or RAM. It also offers more PCIe lanes (16 versus 8) and double the L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB), though these do not translate into Cinebench wins. The Intel part’s end-of-life status further limits its appeal, as does its locked multiplier, which prevents overclocking. For any user building a new system, the data points decisively to the Ryzen 5 2400GE. For those constrained to a legacy Intel platform, the i7-4790T remains functional, but the benchmark results show it is not a competitive performer against its younger AMD counterpart.