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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results present a lopsided contest. The Intel Core i7-4790K wins 13 of the 15 recorded benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U takes only 2. The most decisive Intel victory comes in PassMark extended instructions, where the i7-4790K scores 7579 against the Ryzen's 3560, a 112.9% advantage. Prime number finding is similarly one-sided: 34 versus 15, a 126.7% gap. The Geekbench multicore test shows an 82.2% lead for Intel (4569 versus 2508), and the single-core variant shows a 56.4% margin (1361 versus 870).

The i7-4790K also dominates in memory-sensitive and physics workloads. PassMark random string sorting favors Intel by 49% (16431 versus 11029), while PassMark physics shows a 49.3% edge (548 versus 367). Data compression goes to Intel at 121722 versus 94555, a 28.7% difference. The multithread test records 8062 versus 6858, a 17.6% win, and floating-point math lands at 14597 versus 12485, a 16.9% margin. Integer math, single-thread, and single-threaded PassMark results all follow the same pattern, with Intel ahead by 17.9%, 28.2%, and 28.2% respectively.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U's wins are narrow but notable. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 143 versus Intel's 97, a 32.2% advantage. The other AMD win comes in PassMark data encryption: 6013 versus 2264, a 62.3% margin. However, the Cinebench R15 multicore test tells a different story, with Intel winning 690 versus 650, a modest 6.2% edge despite the Ryzen's single-core superiority.

These results paint a clear picture: the i7-4790K is the stronger overall performer in this comparison, but the Ryzen 5 3500U holds specific advantages in encryption throughput and single-core Cinebench performance that could matter in targeted workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-4790K uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, built by Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It runs at a base clock of 4.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, and its TDP is 88 W. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U employs the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 12 nm node. It packs 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die, but operates at a much lower 2.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost clock, with a 15 W TDP.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The i7-4790K provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 3500U offers more per-core L1 (96 KB) and L2 (512 KB), but its shared L3 is only 4 MB, half of Intel's allocation. This cache configuration helps explain the Intel chip's strong showing in memory-sensitive benchmarks like random string sorting.

Memory support diverges as well. The i7-4790K uses DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 3500U supports DDR4 in dual-channel mode, though the database does not list a bandwidth figure. Both lack ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, while AMD lists Gen 3 with no lane count specified.

The production status and release timing mark a generational divide. The i7-4790K was released on 2014-04-30 and is now end-of-life, with an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $350. The Ryzen 5 3500U, released on 2019-01-05, remains active in production with a locked multiplier. The integrated graphics differ too: Intel's HD 4600 versus AMD's Radeon Vega 8, though the database records no benchmark scores for either iGPU.

Where Each One Wins

The workload split follows the benchmark data closely. The i7-4790K dominates in compute-heavy, multi-threaded, and general-purpose tasks. Its 82.2% lead in Geekbench multicore and 56.4% lead in Geekbench single-core indicate broad superiority across mixed integer and floating-point workloads. For software development, scientific computing, or content creation that stresses extended instruction sets, the 112.9% advantage in PassMark extended instructions makes Intel the clear choice. The 126.7% edge in prime number finding suggests strong raw integer throughput.

The Ryzen 5 3500U wins where its architecture shows specific strengths. The 62.3% lead in data encryption points to AES or similar cryptographic acceleration being more effective on the AMD side. The 32.2% margin in Cinebench R15 single-core is intriguing, as it suggests the Ryzen's Zen+ core can outperform the older Haswell core in certain lightly-threaded rendering tasks, even with a much lower boost clock. However, this advantage does not carry over to other single-threaded tests, where Intel leads by over 28%.

For users prioritizing battery life and portability, the 15 W TDP of the Ryzen 5 3500U versus the 88 W TDP of the i7-4790K is a significant differentiator. The Intel chip requires a desktop platform with robust cooling; the AMD chip is designed for mobile systems. The database records no power-efficiency benchmark, but the TDP figures alone imply the Ryzen can sustain operation in thin-and-light laptops while the i7-4790K cannot.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-4790K | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U |

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

| Base clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 88 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Process node | 22 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,940 million |

| Die size | 177 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

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

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2014-04-30 | 2019-01-05 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part number | SR219 | YM3500C4T4MFG |

Both processors share 4 cores and 8 threads, dual-channel memory support, and no ECC capability. The Ryzen 5 3500U has no launch MSRP recorded, while the i7-4790K carries a launch MSRP of $350.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790K wins 13 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins 2.

Q: How large is the Geekbench multicore gap?

A: The i7-4790K scores 4569 versus the Ryzen 5 3500U's 2508, an 82.2% advantage for Intel.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U outperform the Intel chip?

A: The Ryzen wins in PassMark data encryption (6013 versus 2264, a 62.3% margin) and Cinebench R15 single-core (143 versus 97, a 32.2% margin).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-4790K has a TDP of 88 W, while the Ryzen 5 3500U has a TDP of 15 W, a 73 W difference favoring AMD for low-power mobile use.

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: The i7-4790K has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3. The Ryzen 5 3500U has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core but only 4 MB shared L3.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The i7-4790K is end-of-life, while the Ryzen 5 3500U is active.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion for raw performance: the Intel Core i7-4790K is the superior processor in most measurable workloads. Its wins span every major category except encryption and one rendering test. For users running multi-threaded applications, scientific simulations, or complex data processing, the i7-4790K's 82.2% Geekbench multicore lead and 112.9% extended instructions advantage make it the clear pick. Its unlocked multiplier also allows overclocking, a feature the locked Ryzen 5 3500U lacks.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U's case rests on efficiency and specific tasks. Its 15 W TDP versus 88 W enables deployment in laptops where the i7-4790K cannot physically fit or operate. The 62.3% encryption win suggests hardware acceleration that could benefit security-focused workloads. The 32.2% Cinebench R15 single-core victory indicates that in certain lightly-threaded rendering pipelines, the newer Zen+ core can outpace the older Haswell design despite the lower clock speeds.

However, the overall average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story. The i7-4790K sits at 11745 in the database's average, placing it in the 67th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 3500U averages 11176, in the 66th percentile. The nearest rivals for Intel include the Core i7-1185G7 (0.4% ahead) and the Core i7-7700 (1.4% behind), suggesting the i7-4790K remains competitive with much newer chips. The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the Core i3-1305U (0.2% behind) and the EPYC 7542 (0.2% ahead), showing it sits in a similar performance class despite its mobile orientation.

For a desktop user building a legacy system or seeking maximum compute per watt of die area, the i7-4790K wins decisively. For a mobile user needing credible performance in a 15 W envelope, the Ryzen 5 3500U is the only option that fits the thermal and power constraints. The choice between them is less about performance and more about platform: the data shows the i7-4790K is the stronger chip, while the Ryzen 5 3500U is the more adaptable one.