AMD Ryzen 5 4500 vs Intel Core i5-11400 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 and Intel Core i5-11400 are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors aimed at the same performance tier, but benchmark results show a clear split in their strengths. The Intel part wins 21 of 25 head-to-head tests, dominating in raw compute and single-thread performance, while the AMD chip wins 4 tests, all related to data compression, encryption, and certain instruction workloads. Both processors sit at the 71st percentile in the global CPU ranking, with average benchmark scores of 17333 for the Ryzen and 17067 for the Core i5, placing them in a virtual tie overall despite very different task-level outcomes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 is consistently faster in single-thread tests. In 3DMark single-thread, it scores 865 versus the Ryzen's 711, a 17.8% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it leads 1750 to 1489 (14.9% ahead), and in PassMark single-thread it scores 2990 versus 2593 (13.3% ahead).

Q: Are there any workloads where the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 wins?

A: Yes, the Ryzen wins in four specific PassMark tests. It beats the Intel chip in data compression (228741 vs 206952, 10.5% ahead), data encryption (13597 vs 10264, 32.5% ahead), extended instructions (15166 vs 14901, 1.8% ahead), and random string sorting (23989 vs 23974, a 0.1% edge).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 leads in all Cinebench multi-core tests, but the margins are modest. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 14132 versus AMD's 13677, a 3.2% advantage. The same 3.2% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (5935 vs 5744) and R15 multi-core (1424 vs 1378).

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 boosts to 4.10 GHz. The Intel chip also has a lower base clock at 2.60 GHz compared to the Ryzen's 3.60 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is listed as "Active" with a release date of April 2022, while the Intel Core i5-11400 is marked "End-of-life" with a release date of March 2021.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400 is the clear winner for general-purpose computing, gaming, and productivity tasks that rely on single-core speed or floating-point math. Its wins span every 3DMark test, all Geekbench tests, all Cinebench tests, and PassMark tests for physics, integer math, floating-point math, and prime number finding. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 5609 versus 4795 (14.5% higher) and the PassMark physics score of 793 versus 726 (8.4% higher) indicate better performance in threaded workloads that scale well with the architecture.

The AMD Ryzen 5 450 carves out a niche in data-centric workloads. Its 32.5% lead in PassMark data encryption (13597 vs 10264) is the largest margin either chip achieves in any test. It also wins in data compression by 10.5% (228741 vs 206952) and edges ahead in extended instructions by 1.8% (15166 vs 14901). These are the workloads where the Ryzen's architecture provides an advantage, making it the better choice for tasks involving encryption, compression, or specialized instruction sets.

For everyday multitasking, the PassMark multithread score shows Intel ahead by 3.6% (16690 vs 16091), but the Ryzen's average benchmark score is actually higher overall at 17333 versus 17067. That apparent contradiction resolves when you consider that the Ryzen's strong wins in encryption and compression boost its average, while the Intel chip wins more tests but by smaller margins in many cases.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a codename of Renoir and a die size of 156 mm² containing 9,800 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-11400 uses the Rocket Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, with a die size of 276 mm² and no transistor count listed.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Ryzen has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 12 MB of shared L3 cache. That 4 MB L3 advantage helps explain Intel's strong showing in many benchmarks.

The Ryzen 5 4500 uses AMD Socket AM4 and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core i5-11400 uses Intel Socket 1200 and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, a generation ahead for storage and graphics bandwidth. The Intel chip also includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the Ryzen has no integrated graphics listed. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel multiplier is locked. Both are 65 W TDP parts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 4500 | Intel Core i5-11400 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 276 mm² |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Launch MSRP | $129 | $182 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-11400 dominates the 3DMark suite with consistent double-digit advantages. The single-thread test shows the largest gap at 17.8% (865 vs 711), followed by 2-thread at 16.6% (1679 vs 1400), 4-thread at 14.7% (3145 vs 2682), max-threads at 14.8% (5630 vs 4795), and 16-thread at 14.5% (5609 vs 4795). The 8-thread test is slightly closer at 13.1% (4692 vs 4077). These results point to a fundamental per-core performance advantage for Intel.

Geekbench tells a similar story. Single-core shows a 14.9% lead for Intel (1750 vs 1489), while multi-core is closer at 7.5% (7572 vs 7005). The Cinebench suite shows the narrowest Intel wins across the board, with all four tests (R15, R20, R23, both single and multi-core) falling between 3.0% and 3.3% in Intel's favor. This suggests that in heavily threaded rendering, the two chips are nearly equivalent, with Intel holding a slim but consistent edge.

PassMark results are where the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 fights back. The encryption test is the standout, with AMD winning 13597 to 10264, a 32.5% margin. Data compression also favors AMD by 10.5% (228741 vs 206952). Extended instructions go to AMD by 1.8% (15166 vs 14901), and random string sorting is essentially a tie with AMD winning by 0.1% (23989 vs 23974).

Intel wins the remaining PassMark tests decisively. Prime number finding shows Intel at 49 versus AMD's 34, a 30.6% advantage. Integer math goes to Intel by 13.7% (57601 vs 49707), floating-point math by 13.5% (34004 vs 29405), single-thread by 13.3% (2990 vs 2593), physics by 8.4% (793 vs 726), and multithread by 3.6% (16690 vs 16091).

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-11400 is the better overall processor for most users. It wins 21 of 25 benchmarks, and its victories span every major category: single-thread, multi-thread, gaming (via 3DMark), rendering (via Cinebench), and general compute (via PassMark integer and floating-point math). The largest Intel wins are in prime number finding (30.6%) and single-thread performance (17.8% in 3DMark), indicating a significant per-core speed advantage that benefits most applications. Its 12 MB of L3 cache versus the Ryzen's 8 MB and PCIe Gen 4 support versus Gen 3 further cement its position for modern workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is the specialist choice. Its 32.5% win in data encryption and 10.5% win in data compression make it the better pick for workloads focused on those tasks. The Ryzen also has a lower launch MSRP of $129 versus $182, but its production status is Active while Intel's is End-of-life, meaning the AMD part is more readily available for new builds. The Ryzen's unlocked multiplier is an advantage for enthusiasts, though the locked Intel chip is already faster in single-thread tests without any overclocking.

For a general-purpose desktop CPU, the data points squarely at the Intel Core i5-11400. For a system dedicated to encryption, compression, or workloads that use extended instruction sets, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 offers a measurable edge in those specific areas. The choice comes down to whether you need the broad performance of the Intel chip or the specialized strengths of the AMD part.