AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Pentium G4600 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U and Intel Pentium G4600 represent two very different philosophies in the same performance tier. Both processors land at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—1058 for the AMD part versus 1056 for the Intel. The Ryzen 5 2500U is a 15-watt mobile part with four cores and eight threads, while the Pentium G4600 is a 51-watt desktop chip with two cores and four threads. The data shows that in the single head-to-head benchmark available, the Ryzen 5 2500U dominates, but the overall averages tell a more nuanced story. The nearest rival list places these two within 0.2% of each other, with the AMD chip edging out the Pentium by a hair, making this a matchup where architecture and efficiency matter as much as raw performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct comparison in the data is Cinebench R15 multi-core, and the result is a decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U. The AMD part scores 609, while the Intel Pentium G4600 manages just 309. That is a 97.1% advantage for the Ryzen 5 2500U—essentially double the performance. This is the single largest gap in the entire comparison, and it highlights the fundamental difference between the two designs. The Ryzen's four physical cores and eight threads allow it to scale far better in multi-threaded workloads, whereas the Pentium's two cores and four threads hit a ceiling much sooner.

The average benchmark scores, however, suggest that this multi-core gap does not tell the whole story. The Ryzen 5 2500U's average score of 1058 is only 0.2% higher than the Pentium's 1056. This points to a scenario where the Pentium G4600 likely closes the gap significantly in single-threaded or lightly-threaded tests. The Cinebench R15 single-core result for the Ryzen is 137, but the Pentium does not have a comparable single-core score in the head-to-head data. Given that the Pentium has a 3.60 GHz base clock with no boost needed, while the Ryzen has a 2.00 GHz base that boosts to 3.60 GHz, the Intel part likely holds its own in single-threaded tasks. The result is a split personality: the Ryzen 5 2500U crushes the Pentium in multi-core, but the overall averages suggest the Pentium is competitive where thread counts are low.

Architecture Differences

The core architectural divide is stark. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Pentium G4600 uses Kaby Lake, also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by Intel, with no transistor or die size data available. Both processors are locked, with no unlocked multiplier, but they serve different markets: the Ryzen is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP5, while the Pentium is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 2500U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Pentium G4600 has less cache across the board: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. For a two-core part, the Pentium's 3 MB of L3 is proportionally generous, but the Ryzen's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches give it an edge in data-heavy workloads. The Ryzen's larger L3 pool also benefits its eight-thread design, as more shared cache reduces contention between threads.

Memory support is identical in bandwidth—both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode at 38.4 GB/s—and neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: the Ryzen 5 2500U offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Pentium G4600 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. For a mobile part, 8 lanes is sufficient for a discrete GPU and NVMe storage, but the Pentium's 16 lanes give desktop users more headroom for expansion. Integrated graphics also differ: the Ryzen packs Radeon Vega 8, while the Pentium ships with Intel HD 630. The Vega 8 solution is generally considered more capable for gaming, but the data does not include graphics benchmarks to confirm this.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins decisively in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 609 versus 309 for the Intel Pentium G4600, a 97.1% advantage.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class?

A: Yes, both sit at the 29th percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 2500U has an average benchmark score of 1058, while the Pentium G4600 scores 1056, a difference of only 0.2%.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Pentium G4600 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen's doubled thread count likely explains its multi-core dominance.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Ryzen 5 2500U is rated at 15 watts TDP, while the Pentium G4600 is rated at 51 watts. This makes the Ryzen far more suitable for mobile devices.

Q: Do both chips support the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR4 with a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The Intel Pentium G4600 was released on 2017-01-02, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U was released on 2017-10-25. The Ryzen is roughly 9 months newer.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case. For multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is the obvious choice—it delivers 97.1% more performance in Cinebench R15 multi-core than the Pentium G4600. The Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with its larger cache hierarchy (96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, 4 MB L3), make it a far more capable processor for rendering, compilation, or any task that scales with thread count. Its 15-watt TDP also means it can deliver this performance in a thin-and-light laptop, where the Pentium's 51-watt TDP would be impractical.

For users who prioritize single-threaded performance or desktop expansion, the Intel Pentium G4600 has merits that are not fully captured by the head-to-head data. Its 3.60 GHz base clock matches the Ryzen's boost clock, and its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more bandwidth for add-in cards. However, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical—1056 versus 1058 for the Ryzen—so the Pentium is not a performance bargain. It is a desktop part that trades multi-core capability for a simpler, lower-cost platform. But without pricing data, that value proposition cannot be quantified.

The verdict is straightforward: the Ryzen 5 2500U is the superior processor on raw performance and efficiency, winning the only head-to-head benchmark by nearly double. The Pentium G4600 is a competent desktop chip that matches the Ryzen's overall average score, but it cannot match the Ryzen's multi-threaded muscle or its mobile-friendly power envelope. Pick the Ryzen for portable productivity; pick the Pentium only if you need a desktop socket with more PCIe lanes and do not mind sacrificing multi-core performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 2500U | Intel Pentium G4600 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | null (no boost) |

| TDP | 15 W | 51 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,950 million | null |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | null |

| 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) | 3 MB (shared) |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Intel HD 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2017-10-25 | 2017-01-02 |

| Part Number | YM2500C4T4MFB | SR35F |

| Cinebench R15 Multi-Core | 609 | 309 |