AMD Ryzen 5 4500U vs Intel Core i7-7700T Comparison

The data presents a fascinating generational clash: a 35-watt desktop chip from 2017 against a 15-watt mobile processor from 2020. The Intel Core i7-7700T and AMD Ryzen 5 4500U end up with nearly identical average benchmark scores—2039 and 2035, respectively—yet they achieve parity through entirely different means. The overall percentile ranking for both sits at 45, placing them in the middle of the pack. However, the deltaPct values in their rival lists tell a story of tight competition; the i7-7700T is a mere 0.2% ahead of the 4500U in average score, while the 4500U is 0.2% behind the i7-7700T. This is a statistical tie, but the individual benchmark results reveal a complex picture where each chip claims victory in specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking discrepancy appears in the Cinebench R15 tests, where the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U dominates. In the multicore test, the 4500U scores 892 against the i7-7700T’s 646, a margin of 27.6% in AMD’s favor. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: the 4500U posts 174 points, which is 47.7% higher than the Intel chip’s 91 points. These are not minor victories; they represent a fundamental advantage in the older benchmark’s workload. The data suggests that the 4500U’s architecture handles the R15 instruction set far more efficiently, likely due to its newer design.

The story flips dramatically in the Cinebench R23 multicore test. Here, the Intel Core i7-7700T takes the win with a score of 6410, edging out the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U’s 5920. That is an 8.3% lead for Intel. This reversal is significant because R23 is a more modern and demanding benchmark than R15. The i7-7700T, despite having fewer cores, manages to pull ahead in this sustained multi-threaded workload. It suggests that the older chip’s higher TDP of 35 watts allows for more consistent performance over time, whereas the 15-watt mobile chip might be power-limited.

The single-core R23 test returns to AMD’s favor. The Ryzen 5 4500U scores 1152, which is 21.4% higher than the i7-7700T’s 905. This confirms that the 4500U’s core design is simply faster per clock in most scenarios. The overall win count is 3-1 in favor of the AMD chip, but the Intel chip’s victory in the R23 multicore test is a crucial data point, showing that raw core count is not the only factor at play. The benchmarks indicate that the 4500U wins decisively in short-burst and single-threaded tasks, while the i7-7700T holds its own in a specific, longer multi-threaded workload.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap is vast. The Intel Core i7-7700T is built on Kaby Lake, a 14 nm process from Intel’s own foundry. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, a configuration that relies on hyper-threading to handle parallel tasks. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U uses the Zen 2 architecture, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. This node advantage is reflected in the transistor count: the 4500U packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, whereas the i7-7700T’s transistor count is not listed in the data. The smaller, denser process node is a key reason for the AMD chip’s efficiency.

Cache configurations also differ. Both chips share 8 MB of L3 cache, but the L2 cache is different. The i7-7700T has 256 KB of L2 per core, while the Ryzen 5 4500U has 512 KB per core. This doubling of L2 cache in the AMD chip likely contributes to its superior single-thread performance, as more data can be stored closer to the cores. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. The memory support diverges as well: the i7-7700T supports DDR4 only with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The 4500U supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4, and its dual-channel memory bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s. This memory bandwidth advantage is substantial and could explain why the AMD chip excels in memory-sensitive tasks.

The platform differences are stark. Intel uses Socket 1151, which is a desktop platform, while AMD uses Socket FP6, which is a mobile platform. This aligns with their market segments: the i7-7700T is a Desktop chip, and the 4500U is a Mobile chip. The integrated graphics also differ, with Intel offering HD 630 and AMD providing Radeon Graphics 384SP. PCIe lane counts are close, with Intel at 16 lanes and AMD at 12 lanes, both on Gen 3. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support. The release dates are far apart—January 2017 for Intel and January 2020 for AMD—which explains the technological leap in the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is the clear winner in most benchmark scenarios. Its victories in Cinebench R15 multicore, R15 singlecore, and R23 singlecore indicate a processor that is faster in both lightly-threaded and moderately-threaded workloads. The data implies that for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, office applications, and even some content creation, the 4500U will feel snappier. The significant margins—27.6%, 47.7%, and 21.4%—suggest that users will notice the difference in responsiveness. The 4500U’s higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz compared to the i7-7700T’s 3.80 GHz contributes to its single-core dominance.

The Intel Core i7-7700T wins only in the Cinebench R23 multicore test, but this is not a trivial victory. An 8.3% lead in a modern, demanding multi-threaded benchmark suggests that the Intel chip can sustain high performance over extended periods. This is likely due to its higher 35-watt TDP, which allows for more aggressive power delivery and thermal headroom compared to the 15-watt mobile chip. For workloads that hammer all cores for a long time, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, the i7-7700T might be the more reliable performer. The data shows that the 4500U’s efficiency comes at a cost in sustained all-core loads.

The broader benchmark picture, including Geekbench scores, is not directly comparable because the head-to-head table only lists Cinebench results. However, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical, indicating that across all tests, they balance out. The 4500U averages 2035, and the i7-7700T averages 2039. This suggests that the AMD chip’s wins are offset by the Intel chip’s performance in other areas not shown in the head-to-head table. The 4500U is better for bursty, single-threaded performance, while the i7-7700T shows strength in a specific long-duration multi-threaded scenario.

The Verdict

The data does not crown a single champion; it reveals two processors optimized for different realities. The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is the superior choice for anyone who values raw speed in most tasks. Its 47.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 21.4% lead in R23 single-core are decisive. For users who prioritize snappy application performance and occasional light multi-threading, the 4500U is the clear pick. Its 6 cores and 6 threads, combined with the modern Zen 2 architecture and 7 nm process, deliver a level of efficiency that the older Intel chip cannot match. The 4500U’s higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s also makes it more future-proof for memory-intensive workloads.

The Intel Core i7-7700T, despite being older and having fewer cores, is not obsolete. Its win in the Cinebench R23 multicore test, with an 8.3% margin, indicates that it can handle sustained all-core loads better than the AMD chip. This is a critical factor for users who run long, non-stop rendering or encoding jobs. The i7-7700T’s 35-watt TDP, while higher, provides the headroom necessary for consistent performance without throttling. For a desktop user with adequate cooling, this chip could be a more stable workhorse for heavy multi-threaded tasks.

In terms of raw numbers, the two are nearly identical, with the i7-7700T holding a 0.2% average score advantage. However, the nature of their wins matters. The 4500U wins by large margins in most tests, while the i7-7700T wins by a smaller margin in one test. The data suggests that the 4500U is the more versatile processor, but the i7-7700T has a specific niche where it excels. Users should choose based on their primary workload: the 4500U for general speed and the i7-7700T for sustained multi-threaded endurance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700T has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 2039, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U’s 2035, a difference of 0.2%.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U in single-core performance?

A: The 4500U is 47.7% faster in the Cinebench R15 single-core test and 21.4% faster in the Cinebench R23 single-core test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-7700T win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i7-7700T wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test with a score of 6410, which is 8.3% higher than the 4500U’s 5920.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700T has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, whereas the Intel Core i7-7700T has a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel Core i7-7700T has 256 KB per core.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-7700T | AMD Ryzen 5 4500U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Renoir |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 156 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, LPDDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | Radeon Graphics 384SP |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2020-01-05 |

| Part Number | SR339 | 100-000000084 |