AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4870HQ and AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE are two 4-core, 8-thread processors that land within 0.2% of each other in average benchmark score, yet they serve entirely different markets. The data shows a clear generational and architectural divide: the Intel part is a 2014 mobile flagship built on a 22 nm Haswell design, while the AMD part is a 2018 desktop chip on 14 nm Zen silicon. Despite the Intel’s higher transistor count and larger die, the AMD chip wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the FACT PACK, making the comparison less about raw performance parity and more about efficiency, platform, and use-case fit.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE wins in every measurable performance category listed in the FACT PACK. It holds a decisive advantage in both single-core and multi-core workloads across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23). In multi-core tests, the AMD scores 615 in Cinebench R15 compared to the Intel’s 540, and in R23 multi-core it reaches 6107 versus the Intel’s 5366. The single-core gap is equally consistent, with the AMD leading by roughly 11-12% in every test. This means the Ryzen 5 2400GE is the superior choice for any application that relies on CPU throughput, whether that is rendering, compiling, or general productivity.

The Intel Core i7-4870HQ does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. However, its strengths lie outside raw CPU performance. It is a mobile part designed for laptops, with a 47 W TDP versus the AMD’s 35 W desktop TDP. The Intel chip also features the Intel HD 5200 integrated graphics, while the AMD uses the Radeon RX Vega 11. The Intel’s memory bandwidth is lower at 25.6 GB/s compared to the AMD’s 46.9 GB/s, but the Intel supports DDR3 memory, which may be relevant for older platforms. The data does not show any benchmark where the Intel wins, so its edge is purely in platform compatibility and mobile form factor, not in compute performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has an average benchmark score of 1769, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE scores 1766. The difference is only 0.2%, placing them statistically tied in overall performance.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 6107 against the Intel’s 5366, a 12.1% advantage. The gap is similar in R15 multi-core, where the AMD leads 615 to 540, a 12.2% delta.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any benchmark wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 0 wins for the Intel Core i7-4870HQ and 6 wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has a TDP of 47 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE has a TDP of 35 W. This makes the AMD chip more power-efficient on paper, despite delivering higher performance.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the Intel Core i7-4870HQ supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors in the same market segment?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ is listed as a Mobile processor, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE is a Desktop processor. This is a key differentiator for system builders.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a uniform picture: the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE outperforms the Intel Core i7-4870HQ in every single test, with deltas that hover tightly between 11.6% and 12.4%. The largest margin of victory for the AMD is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 362 against the Intel’s 317, a 12.4% lead. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD’s 86 beats the Intel’s 76 by 11.6%. Even in multi-core tests, where the Intel’s 4-core/8-thread configuration might be expected to hold its own, the AMD consistently wins by roughly 12%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 615 versus the Intel’s 540, a 12.2% advantage. That same pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (2564 vs 2253, 12.1% delta) and R23 multi-core (6107 vs 5366, 12.1% delta). The single-core results are nearly identical in percentage terms: R15 (86 vs 76, 11.6% delta), R20 (362 vs 317, 12.4% delta), and R23 (862 vs 757, 12.2% delta). No benchmark shows the Intel closing the gap or taking a win. The consistency of these margins suggests a fundamental architectural advantage for the AMD part, not just a clock-speed difference.

The average benchmark scores confirm this near-tie at the aggregate level: the Intel’s 1769 average is only 0.2% higher than the AMD’s 1766, but that average includes Geekbench results for the Intel (3701 multi-core, 1143 single-core) that are not present in the AMD’s benchmark list. When comparing only the shared Cinebench tests, the AMD is clearly ahead. The data shows that the Intel’s aggregate score is propped up by Geekbench numbers, while the AMD’s performance is more consistent across the board.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE runs at 3.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Intel’s TDP is 47 W versus the AMD’s 35 W, making the AMD more power-efficient despite higher clocks. The sockets are completely different: the Intel uses Intel BGA 1364, while the AMD uses AMD Socket AM4. The Intel is a mobile part, while the AMD is a desktop part.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Intel supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD supports DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD has 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 5200 on the Intel, Radeon RX Vega 11 on the AMD. The Intel’s multiplier is locked, while the AMD’s is unlocked. The production status also differs: the Intel is end-of-life, while the AMD is active. The Intel was released in 2014, the AMD in 2018.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ is built on Intel’s 22 nm process with a Haswell architecture and the codename Crystalwell. It packs 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries with a Zen architecture and the codename Raven Ridge, integrating 4,950 million transistors on a smaller 210 mm² die. This means the AMD packs more than three times the transistors onto a smaller die, which explains its performance advantage despite the older manufacturing node.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD has 128 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD’s larger L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its single-core advantage, while the Intel’s larger L3 helps in some workloads. The AMD’s memory controller supports DDR4 with double the bandwidth of the Intel’s DDR3 support, which is a significant architectural upgrade. The Intel’s integrated graphics are Intel HD 5200, while the AMD pairs its CPU with Radeon RX Vega 11, a much more capable iGPU on paper.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 11.6% to 12.4%. It also does so with a lower TDP (35 W vs 47 W), a more modern DDR4 memory interface, and double the memory bandwidth. For anyone building a desktop system where CPU performance matters, the AMD is the clear choice based purely on benchmark scores.

The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has no benchmark wins to its name. Its only advantages are qualitative: it is a mobile part suitable for laptops, it supports DDR3 memory which may be useful for legacy systems, and it carries Intel’s HD 5200 graphics. But in terms of compute performance, the data shows it trailing the AMD in every test. The Intel’s end-of-life status and 2014 release date further underscore its age relative to the AMD’s 2018 active production. If the choice is between these two for a new build, the benchmark results point strictly to the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE. The Intel only makes sense in scenarios where the mobile form factor or specific platform compatibility is non-negotiable, and even then, the performance gap is significant.