AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 and AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 are both mobile processors from AMD, but they occupy very different positions in the performance spectrum. The recorded data shows a decisive advantage for the Ryzen AI 7 450 across every single benchmark, with the Ryzen 5 40 failing to secure a single win in the 15 head-to-head tests. This analysis examines where each processor can be used effectively, the magnitude of the performance gaps, and the architectural reasons behind them.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins all 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 records zero wins. This means there is no workload category in the database where the Ryzen 5 40 outperforms its rival. The Ryzen 5 40 is not without a use case, however. Its lower 15 W TDP, compared to the 28 W TDP of the Ryzen AI 7 450, suggests it is designed for systems where power efficiency and thermal restraint are more critical than raw compute throughput.

The Ryzen AI 7 450 delivers a broad sweep across every type of workload. In multi-threaded rendering tasks, represented by Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 18,316 versus 4,841, a gap of 73.6%. In integer math, a proxy for general-purpose computing, it scores 88,531 versus 31,598, a 64.3% advantage. Even in single-threaded performance, where the Ryzen 5 40 might have been expected to compete given its higher 2.80 GHz base clock, the Ryzen AI 7 450 wins with a 36.5% lead in Passmark single-thread scoring.

The Ryzen 5 40 still has relevance as an entry-level mobile part. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for light productivity tasks, and its Radeon 610M integrated graphics provide basic display output. The Ryzen AI 7 450, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a Radeon 860M integrated GPU, is positioned for more demanding mobile workloads. The data suggests the Ryzen 5 40 is a processor for basic computing, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 is for users who need substantial performance.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen AI 7 450 in multi-core workloads?

A: The Ryzen AI 7 450 leads by 73.6% in Cinebench R23 multicore (18,316 versus 4,841) and by 70.9% in Cinebench R15 multicore (2,713 versus 790). In Passmark multithread, it leads by 64.6% (26,350 versus 9,341).

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 40 win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Ryzen AI 7 450 winning all 15 recorded tests. The Ryzen 5 40 records zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Ryzen AI 7 450 leads by 23% in Cinebench R15 single-core (215 versus 165.5) and by 43.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2,038 versus 1,150). In Passmark single-thread, it leads by 36.5% (3,901 versus 2,477).

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen AI 7 450 boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 40 boosts to 4.30 GHz. The Ryzen 5 40 has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 40 uses Radeon 610M graphics, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 uses Radeon 860M graphics. The database does not include dedicated graphics benchmarks, so the performance delta is not quantified.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Ryzen AI 7 450 supports 89.6 GB/s, while the Ryzen 5 40 supports 88.0 GB/s. The Ryzen AI 7 450 also supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Ryzen 5 40 only supports LPDDR5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire dataset appears in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Ryzen AI 7 450 scores 89 versus 20 for the Ryzen 5 40, a 77.5% deficit for the older chip. This test is highly sensitive to both core count and architectural efficiency, and the Ryzen AI 7 450 dominates in both. The second-largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Ryzen AI 7 450 scores 18,316, which is 73.6% ahead of the Ryzen 5 40's 4,841. This result is expected given that the Ryzen AI 7 450 has double the cores and threads.

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a similar pattern, with the Ryzen AI 7 450 at 2,713 and the Ryzen 5 40 at 790, a 70.9% difference. Passmark extended instructions shows a 71.3% gap (22,400 versus 6,437), and Passmark floating point math shows a 72.1% gap (54,447 versus 15,194). These results indicate that the Ryzen AI 7 450 is not just faster due to more cores; it also has a significantly more efficient architecture.

The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen AI 7 450 scores 215 versus 165.5, a 23% lead. This is notable because the Ryzen 5 40 has a much higher base clock of 2.80 GHz versus 2.00 GHz. The Ryzen AI 7 450 compensates with its 5.10 GHz boost clock and the Zen 5 architecture's higher instructions per clock. The Passmark single-thread test shows a 36.5% lead for the Ryzen AI 7 450 (3,901 versus 2,477), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 43.6% lead (2,038 versus 1,150).

Other significant gaps include Passmark integer math at 64.3% (88,531 versus 31,598), Passmark multithread at 64.6% (26,350 versus 9,341), Passmark physics at 72.6% (1,578 versus 432), Passmark data encryption at 59.1% (16,247 versus 6,646), Passmark data compression at 55.2% (315,906 versus 141,533), and Passmark random string sorting at 57.6% (35,648 versus 15,124). Every test confirms the same conclusion: the Ryzen AI 7 450 is substantially faster in all recorded metrics.

Specification Differences

The core configuration is the most obvious difference. The Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads. This doubles the parallel processing capacity. The clock speeds also differ substantially: the Ryzen 5 40 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The lower base clock on the Ryzen AI 7 450 is offset by its much higher boost ceiling.

The TDP figures are also distinct, with the Ryzen 5 40 rated at 15 W and the Ryzen AI 7 450 at 28 W. This affects cooling requirements and battery life in mobile devices. The sockets differ: the Ryzen 5 40 uses AMD Socket FT6, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 uses AMD Socket FP8. The memory support differs as well, with the Ryzen 5 40 limited to LPDDR5 and the Ryzen AI 7 450 supporting both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The memory bandwidth is close, at 88.0 GB/s for the Ryzen 5 40 and 89.6 GB/s for the Ryzen AI 7 450.

The PCIe support shows a clear generational gap. The Ryzen 5 40 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes. This impacts expandability and data transfer speeds for peripherals. The Ryzen 5 40 does not support ECC memory, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 does. The integrated graphics differ, with Radeon 610M on the Ryzen 5 40 and Radeon 860M on the Ryzen AI 7 450. The Ryzen 5 40 has a locked multiplier, as does the Ryzen AI 7 450.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different architectural generations. The Ryzen 5 40 is built on Zen 2, under the Mendocino codename, while the Ryzen AI 7 450 is built on Zen 5, under the Gorgon Point codename. The Ryzen AI 7 450 is listed as a Ryzen AI 400 series part, while the Ryzen 5 40 is a standard Ryzen 5 series part. The process node has shrunk from 6 nm to 4 nm, both fabricated by TSMC. This node shrink contributes to the efficiency and performance gains.

The cache hierarchy is very different. The Ryzen 5 40 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen AI 7 450 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core caches and doubled L3 capacity on the Ryzen AI 7 450 help explain its dominance in memory-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting. The die size also differs, with the Ryzen 5 40 at 100 mm² and the Ryzen AI 7 450 at 195 mm², reflecting the larger core count and cache.

The integrated graphics represent another architectural shift, from Radeon 610M on the Ryzen 5 40 to Radeon 860M on the Ryzen AI 7 450. The release dates are also separated, with the Ryzen 5 40 released in 2025 and the Ryzen AI 7 450 in 2026. The part number for the Ryzen AI 7 450 is recorded as 100-000001868, while the Ryzen 5 40's part number is listed as unknown. Both processors are active in production and target the mobile market segment.

The Verdict

The recorded data provides a straightforward answer: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 is the superior processor in every measured category. Its 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the Ryzen 5 40's 70th percentile, reinforces this conclusion. The average benchmark score of 39,485 for the Ryzen AI 7 450 is more than double the 15,882 average of the Ryzen 5 40, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, placing it in a high-performance class. The Ryzen 5 40's nearest rivals, by contrast, are server processors like the AMD EPYC 75F3 and EPYC 9354P, with very different performance profiles.

For users who need maximum compute performance for rendering, data processing, or multi-threaded applications, the Ryzen AI 7 450 is the clear choice based on its 73.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and its 64.6% lead in Passmark multithread. Its higher 28 W TDP indicates it requires more power, but the performance return is substantial. The Ryzen 5 40, with its 15 W TDP, 4 cores, and 8 threads, is suited for basic mobile computing where battery life takes priority over speed. The data shows no scenario where the Ryzen 5 40 outperforms the Ryzen AI 7 450, so the decision rests on power constraints and workload demands. The Ryzen AI 7 450 is the performance leader, and the Ryzen 5 40 is a lower-power alternative for less demanding tasks.