AMD Ryzen 5 3500U vs Intel Core i7-4790 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in overall benchmark average?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has an average benchmark score of 11176, while the Intel Core i7-4790 scores 10556. The Ryzen sits about 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y in its nearest rival group, while the i7-4790 is roughly 0.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7D12.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790 takes 12 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins only 3: Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, and Passmark data encryption.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between them?

A: In Passmark data encryption, the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U scores 6013 versus the Intel's 2035, a 195.5% advantage for AMD. That is the largest delta in either direction across all recorded tests.

Q: Are both chips locked multipliers?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U and the Intel Core i7-4790 have locked multipliers, so neither supports unlocked overclocking through the multiplier.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is listed as Active, meaning it remains in production. The Intel Core i7-4790 is marked End-of-life, so it is no longer manufactured.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core i7-4790 comes with Intel HD 4600. Neither chip requires a discrete GPU for basic display output.

The Verdict

The data splits this comparison into two clear profiles. The Intel Core i7-4790 dominates the broader workload picture, winning 12 of 15 recorded tests and posting higher scores in Geekbench multi-core, Passmark integer math, and Passmark single-thread. Its 4.00 GHz boost clock and 8 MB shared L3 cache give it a decisive edge in most compute tasks, especially those that favor raw frequency and larger cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, however, is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP versus the Intel's 84 W desktop TDP. That alone explains much of the performance gap: the Ryzen is built for thin-and-light laptops where power draw matters more than peak throughput. Its wins in Cinebench R15 (both multi-core and single-core) and the massive 195.5% lead in data encryption show that Zen+ can still outclass the older Haswell architecture in specific instruction paths.

For a desktop user with an existing Socket 1150 platform, the i7-4790 is the stronger all-rounder. For a mobile buyer looking at a current 3000-series laptop, the 3500U is the only realistic choice between these two, and its 66th percentile ranking among all CPUs matches the Intel chip's same percentile. The Intel part offers higher absolute performance, but it comes with end-of-life status, DDR3 memory support, and a much higher power envelope. The AMD chip trades peak speed for efficiency and active production support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-4790's most decisive wins come in Passmark extended instructions, where it scores 6835 versus AMD's 3560, a 47.9% gap. Passmark find prime numbers shows a 53.1% advantage for Intel (32 versus 15). Geekbench multi-core favors Intel by 36.1% (3927 against 2508), and Geekbench single-core gives Intel a 25.3% lead (1164 versus 870). Passmark physics has Intel ahead by 26.3% (498 versus 367), and random string sorting shows Intel winning by 25.4% (14790 versus 11029).

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U counters with its own highlights. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 143 against Intel's 87, a 64.4% margin, which is the second-largest delta in the entire comparison. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to AMD by 4.7% (650 versus 621). The encryption result stands out most: AMD's 6013 nearly triples Intel's 2035, a 195.5% swing that suggests the Zen+ core's crypto instructions are substantially more efficient.

The remaining tests are closer. Passmark floating point math has Intel ahead by 4.7% (13104 versus 12485). Integer math shows Intel winning by 5.3% (26129 versus 24732). Passmark multithread gives Intel a 5.6% edge (7264 versus 6858). Data compression sees Intel ahead by 13.7% (109623 versus 94555), and single-thread tests show Intel leading by 13.6% (2228 versus 1924).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every physical and platform attribute. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U uses the AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel Core i7-4790 fits Intel Socket 1150. AMD's base clock is 2.10 GHz with a 3.70 GHz boost, while Intel starts higher at 3.60 GHz and boosts to 4.00 GHz. The TDP gap is enormous: 15 W for AMD versus 84 W for Intel.

Memory support also diverges. The Ryzen 5 3500U supports DDR4 memory, while the i7-4790 is limited to DDR3. Both run dual-channel memory buses, but the Intel part has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; the AMD chip has no bandwidth figure in the database. The process nodes differ as well: AMD uses 12 nm fabrication from GlobalFoundries, while Intel uses 22 nm from its own fabs.

The integrated graphics differ too. AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon Vega 8, while Intel includes HD 4600. The market segments are opposite: AMD is a Mobile part, Intel is Desktop. Production status separates them further, with AMD Active and Intel End-of-life. The Intel launch MSRP is $312, which appears once here as historical context; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 3500U is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, and belongs to the 3000 series. It uses a 12 nm process and packs 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. Cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The chip supports PCIe Gen 3 and operates as a mobile part with a 15 W TDP.

The Intel Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell architecture, also codenamed Haswell, and represents the Core i7 generation from that era. It is built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. Cache consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and a larger 8 MB shared L3. The Intel part also supports PCIe Gen 3 but lists 16 lanes for the CPU only. Its memory bandwidth is recorded at 25.6 GB/s.

The architectural differences explain the benchmark split. Haswell's higher base and boost clocks compensate for its older process and smaller cache hierarchy in most tasks. Zen+'s newer 12 nm node and larger transistor count give it advantages in specific workloads like encryption and Cinebench's rendering engine. The L3 difference is notable: 8 MB shared on Intel versus 4 MB shared on AMD, which helps the i7-4790 in cache-sensitive tests like data compression and random string sorting.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-4790 is the pick for general desktop compute. It wins Geekbench multi-core and single-core, Passmark multithread, integer math, floating point math, physics, extended instructions, find prime numbers, data compression, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. That covers the majority of everyday productivity, content creation, and legacy software workloads. Its 4.00 GHz boost clock and 8 MB L3 cache clearly matter more than the AMD chip's architectural advantages in these scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins in three specific areas: Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, and Passmark data encryption. The Cinebench wins suggest that Zen+ handles short, heavily threaded render bursts at least as well as Haswell, despite the lower clock speeds. The encryption result is the standout: a 195.5% lead over Intel indicates that the Ryzen's instruction set handles cryptography workloads far more efficiently. For users running encryption-heavy tasks on a laptop, the 3500U is the superior choice.

The use-case split tracks the market segments. The i7-4790 is a desktop part with an 84 W TDP, so it belongs in a stationary rig where power draw is irrelevant. The 3500U is a 15 W mobile chip, so it belongs in a laptop where battery life and thermals take priority. Neither chip is a clear replacement for the other; they serve different physical platforms. The benchmark data simply confirms that Intel's older desktop chip retains a raw performance lead, while AMD's newer mobile chip wins on efficiency and targeted workloads.