AMD Ryzen 5 4500 vs AMD Ryzen 5 4600G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G and AMD Ryzen 5 4500 are two closely matched 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors from the same 4000 series family. Both are built on the Zen 2 architecture using the Renoir codename, and both target the AM4 socket. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the 4600G takes 13 wins, while the 4500 counters with 12, making this one of the tightest head-to-head contests in the database. The differences are often within a few percentage points, yet the pattern of wins tells a clear story about what each chip prioritizes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The 4600G establishes its dominance in threading-heavy synthetic workloads, particularly in the 3DMark suite. It wins every single 3DMark test, with the margin growing as thread counts rise. In the single-thread test, the 4600G scores 726 against the 4500's 711, a 2.1% advantage. That lead expands in the 2-thread test (1430 vs 1400, also 2.1%) and peaks at 2% in max-threads (4889 vs 4795). The 8-thread result (4138 vs 4077) shows a 1.5% edge. These are modest but consistent gains, suggesting the 4600G has a slight frequency or scheduling advantage that scales across the core count.

The 4600G also sweeps several PassMark workloads. Its data compression score of 231426 beats 228741 by 1.2%. Floating point math shows a 1.8% lead (29947 vs 29405), and integer math is 2% ahead (50723 vs 49707). Extended instructions add another win at 0.8% (15280 vs 15166). Random string sorting goes to the 4600G by 1.1% (24246 vs 23989). The single-thread PassMark result is particularly telling: 2653 vs 2593, a 2.3% lead for the 4600G.

The 4500, however, fights back vigorously in Cinebench and Geekbench. It wins all four Cinebench tests, though by very narrow margins. The R15 multicore score is 1378 vs 1370, a 0.6% difference; the single-core R15 is 194 vs 193, just 0.5% ahead. R20 multicore (5744 vs 5709) and single-core (810 vs 805) both show a 0.6% edge. R23 multicore (13677 vs 13593) and single-core (1930 vs 1919) repeat the 0.6% pattern. These are almost negligible margins, but they add up to a clean sweep for the 4500 in rendering-style workloads.

The Geekbench results are where the 4500 pulls ahead more decisively. Its multicore score of 7005 crushes the 4600G's 6637, a substantial 5.3% advantage. The single-core result is closer but still favors the 4500: 1489 vs 1460, a 1.9% lead. This is the largest multicore gap in the entire comparison, suggesting the 4500 manages sustained multi-threaded performance more effectively in this particular benchmark.

The remaining PassMark tests split almost evenly. The 4500 wins data encryption (13597 vs 13572, a 0.2% edge) and find prime numbers (34 vs 32, a 5.9% margin). It also takes physics (726 vs 676, a 6.9% lead) and multithread (16091 vs 15992, 0.6%). The 4600G counters with single-thread (2653 vs 2593) and the previously mentioned math tests. The physics result is notable: a 6.9% win for the 4500 suggests it handles collision and constraint calculations better, which could matter for certain simulation workloads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Zen 2 on TSMC's 7 nm process node, with 9,800 million transistors packed into a 156 mm² die. The cache layout is identical — 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. They both support DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and neither supports ECC memory. Both have unlocked multipliers, making them overclocking candidates.

The core and thread counts are the same: 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock differs slightly, with the 4600G running at 3.70 GHz versus the 4500's 3.60 GHz. Boost clocks follow the same pattern: 4.20 GHz for the 4600G, 4.10 GHz for the 4500. Both have a 65 W TDP, which is consistent with their positioning as efficient mainstream parts.

The most significant architectural divergence is the integrated graphics. The 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the 4500 has no integrated graphics at all. This is a major functional difference, even though it does not directly affect CPU benchmark scores. The 4600G also offers 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the 4500 provides 16 lanes. This could impact expansion options for storage or other add-in cards.

The memory support is identical — DDR4 — and both use the same dual-channel configuration. The process node, foundry, and transistor count are all shared, confirming these are near-identical dies with different binning and feature sets. The release dates differ substantially: the 4600G launched on 2020-07-20, while the 4500 arrived much later on 2022-04-03. Both remain active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The 4600G wins in scenarios that favor raw single-thread performance and certain math-heavy operations. Its 2.3% lead in PassMark single-thread and 2.1% in 3DMark single-thread indicate it handles lightly-threaded tasks with a bit more agility. The integer and floating point math wins (2% and 1.8%, respectively) point to strength in computational workloads that rely on arithmetic throughput. Data compression (1.2% ahead) and random string sorting (1.1%) suggest it handles data manipulation tasks slightly better. For users running spreadsheet calculations, scripting, or light database work, the 4600G edges ahead.

The 4500 wins in rendering and multi-threaded productivity. Its Geekbench multicore lead of 5.3% is the standout result, indicating better sustained multi-core performance in that test. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 13677 vs 13593, while only 0.6% apart, shows consistency across all Cinebench versions. The physics win of 6.9% is the largest single margin in the entire comparison, suggesting the 4500 handles physics simulation — relevant for some game engines and scientific computing — noticeably better. The find prime numbers test also shows a 5.9% advantage, another sign of strength in certain algorithmic workloads.

The multithread PassMark result (16091 vs 15992) gives the 4500 a narrow win, and it also edges out data encryption by 0.2%. These wins are small but consistent across the rendering and simulation categories. For video encoding, 3D rendering, or any workload that scales across all 12 threads, the 4500 appears to be the safer choice.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ in several key specifications, though many core parameters are identical. The base clock is 3.70 GHz for the 4600G versus 3.60 GHz for the 4500 — a 100 MHz difference. Boost clocks follow suit: 4.20 GHz for the 4600G, 4.10 GHz for the 4500. Both have a 65 W TDP, so power draw is not a differentiator.

The integrated graphics are the most obvious functional gap. The 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7, while the 4500 has no iGPU. This means the 4500 requires a discrete graphics card just to output video, whereas the 4600G can run a complete system without one. The PCIe lane count also differs: 20 lanes for the 4600G versus 16 for the 4500. Both are Gen 3, so bandwidth per lane is the same, but the extra lanes on the 4600G allow for more expansion.

The launch MSRP differs, with the 4600G at $154 and the 4500 at $129. The release dates are far apart — July 2020 versus April 2022. The part numbers are also different: 100-000000147 for the 4600G and 100-000000xxx for the 4500. All other specifications — cores, threads, cache, memory support, socket, architecture, process node, transistor count, and die size — are identical.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G boosts to 4.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 reaches 4.10 GHz. This gives the 4600G a 100 MHz advantage in peak frequency.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 include integrated graphics?

A: No. The 4500 has no integrated graphics, while the 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7. This means the 4500 requires a separate graphics card for any display output.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The 4500 scores 13677, which is 0.6% higher than the 4600G's 13593. The difference is small but consistent across all Cinebench versions tested.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The 4600G provides 20 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the 4500 offers 16 lanes. Both use the Gen 3 standard, but the 4600G supports more expansion.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The biggest difference is in PassMark physics, where the 4500 scores 726 versus the 4600G's 676, a 6.9% advantage. The Geekbench multicore test also shows a substantial 5.3% lead for the 4500.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, manufactured on TSMC's 7 nm process. They have identical transistor counts (9,800 million) and die sizes (156 mm²).

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The 4600G wins 13 benchmarks to the 4500's 12, but the margins tell a more complex story. The 4600G's wins are concentrated in single-thread and math-heavy tests, with advantages ranging from 0.8% to 2.3%. The 4500's wins, while fewer in number, include the largest single margin — a 6.9% lead in physics — and a dominant 5.3% multicore advantage in Geekbench.

For users who need a complete system without a discrete GPU, the 4600G is the clear choice. Its Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics make it a self-contained solution, and its extra PCIe lanes provide more flexibility. The slight single-thread and math performance edge is a bonus for everyday productivity tasks.

For users building a system with a dedicated graphics card, the 4500 becomes more compelling. Its rendering performance is consistently ahead in Cinebench, and the Geekbench multicore gap is significant. The physics advantage suggests it handles simulation tasks better. The lower launch MSRP of $129 versus $154 makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious builders — though that price difference is noted as launch MSRP only, not a value judgment.

The 4500's 5.3% Geekbench multicore lead is the strongest argument for choosing it over the 4600G. If that benchmark reflects real-world multi-threaded application performance, the 4500 delivers noticeably better throughput in those scenarios. The Cinebench wins, while narrow, reinforce the pattern. The 4600G, meanwhile, wins the overall benchmark count but with smaller margins.

The choice ultimately depends on the workload. Rendering, simulation, and heavy multi-threading favor the 4500. General desktop use, math-heavy computation, and systems without a GPU favor the 4600G. Both chips sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are solidly mid-range performers. The data does not support a universal winner — it supports two differently-optimized variants of the same silicon, each excelling where its feature set is best leveraged.