AMD Ryzen 5 3550H vs Intel Core i7-4810MQ Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H and Intel Core i7-4810MQ present a generational clash that produces a surprisingly close overall result. The aggregate data shows the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H with an average benchmark score of 1653, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ scores 1651, a razor-thin 0.1% difference. Both processors hold the same 40th percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicating nearly identical overall performance tiers. However, the benchmark breakdown reveals a split personality: the Ryzen 5 3550H wins four of the six head-to-head tests, yet the Intel part claims the most decisive victory in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core workload. The data suggests these processors are not interchangeable; they favor different software environments and usage patterns.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H is the better choice for users working with legacy or single-threaded applications, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ holds a significant edge in modern multi-threaded rendering workloads. The Ryzen 5 3550H demonstrates a dominant 43.8% lead over the i7-4810MQ in Cinebench R15 multi-core (742 vs 516) and a 100% lead in the single-core variant of the same test (144 vs 72). These are staggering margins that suggest the Intel processor suffers from severe performance issues in that specific benchmark generation. However, the tables turn dramatically in Cinebench R23, where the i7-4810MQ outperforms the Ryzen 5 3550H by 23.4% in multi-core (5129 vs 3929.5) and the Ryzen part only manages a 22.4% lead in single-core (886 vs 724). For Geekbench, the Ryzen 5 3550H edges out a 0.4% multi-core win (3217 vs 3203), while the i7-4810MQ secures a 9.5% single-core advantage (1106 vs 1001). The production status also factors into the verdict: the Ryzen 5 3550H is listed as Active, whereas the i7-4810MQ is End-of-life. For new system builds, the data clearly favors the Ryzen part; for legacy upgrades or specific older software, the Intel processor holds merit.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H dominates the older Cinebench R15 test suite, both in multi-core and single-core workloads. In the multi-core R15 test, the Ryzen 5 3550H scores 742 against the i7-4810MQ's 516, representing a 43.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided, with the Ryzen part scoring 144 versus 72, a 100% improvement. These results indicate that the Ryzen 5 3550H is particularly strong in legacy software that relies on the older Cinebench engine. Additionally, the Ryzen 5 3550H wins the Geekbench multi-core test with a score of 3217 versus 3203, a slim 0.4% margin that shows near-parity but still favors AMD.

The Intel Core i7-4810MQ claims its territory in the more recent Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 5129 versus the Ryzen 5 3550H's 3929.5, a substantial 23.4% advantage. This is the largest margin of victory for either processor in any modern test. The i7-4810MQ also wins the Geekbench single-core test with 1106 points versus 1001 points, a 9.5% lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core test goes to the Ryzen 5 3550H with 886 versus 724, a 22.4% margin. The data shows that the Intel processor excels in current multi-threaded rendering tasks, while the AMD processor maintains superiority in single-threaded and legacy workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H is built on the Zen+ architecture with the codename Picasso, manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The processor features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 3550H supports DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus and includes the Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. It operates on the AMD Socket FP5 with a 35W TDP.

The Intel Core i7-4810MQ is based on the Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell, manufactured on a 22 nm process at Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The processor also features 4 cores and 8 threads, but with a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Its cache configuration differs: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-4810MQ supports DDR3 memory through a dual-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, and includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. It uses the Intel Socket G3 and has a higher TDP of 47W. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel part specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the CPU only. Neither processor supports ECC memory or has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark generation. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H wins with 742 points versus the Intel Core i7-4810MQ's 516 points, a 43.8% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-4810MQ wins with 5129 points versus 3929.5 points, a 23.4% margin. Geekbench multi-core shows a near-tie, with the AMD part at 3217 and the Intel part at 3203.

Q: How do the processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 100% (144 vs 72) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 22.4% (886 vs 724). The Intel Core i7-4810MQ wins Geekbench single-core by 9.5% (1106 vs 1001). The overall pattern favors AMD in single-core tests, except for Geekbench.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ has a TDP of 47W. The Intel part has a 12W higher TDP, which likely contributes to its higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus the AMD's 3.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory technology?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ supports DDR3 memory. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Intel part has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H is listed as Active in production, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ is listed as End-of-life. This indicates the AMD part is the more viable option for current system builds.

Q: What is the release date gap between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-4810MQ was released on 2014-01-19, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H was released on 2019-01-05. The AMD part launched nearly five years later, which explains its smaller 12 nm process node versus Intel's 22 nm node.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a clear split between generations of testing software. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H achieving 742 points, which is 43.8% higher than the Intel Core i7-4810MQ's 516 points. This is not a marginal difference; it is a commanding lead that suggests the Intel processor struggles with this specific workload. The single-core R15 test is even more extreme, with the AMD part scoring 144 points against the Intel part's 72 points, a 100% delta. These R15 results are anomalous compared to the rest of the data, indicating that the i7-4810MQ's performance in this legacy test is particularly weak.

The Cinebench R23 tests flip the script. In multi-core, the Intel Core i7-4810MQ scores 5129 points, which is 23.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H's 3929.5 points. This is the Intel part's most significant victory and shows that in modern rendering workloads, the older Haswell architecture can still outperform the newer Zen+ design. The single-core R23 test goes back to AMD, with the Ryzen 5 3550H scoring 886 points versus 724 points, a 22.4% advantage. This indicates that while Intel wins in multi-threaded R23, AMD retains single-thread superiority in that benchmark.

The Geekbench results provide the closest competition. In multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H scores 3217 points versus the Intel Core i7-4810MQ's 3203 points, a margin of just 0.4%. This is effectively a statistical tie, confirming that both processors deliver equivalent multi-threaded performance in Geekbench. In single-core, the Intel part pulls ahead with 1106 points versus 1001 points, a 9.5% lead. This gives the Intel processor a clear win in Geekbench single-core, balancing the overall score distribution. Across all six tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H wins four, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ wins two. However, the magnitude of Intel's win in Cinebench R23 multi-core is substantial, making the overall comparison nuanced rather than one-sided. The data shows that users running modern multi-threaded workloads should favor the Intel part, while those using legacy benchmarks or single-threaded tasks will find the AMD part superior.