AMD Ryzen 5 4600G vs Intel Core i5-11400F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G and Intel Core i5-11400F are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their strengths. The Intel Core i5-11400F dominates the majority of tests, winning 21 of 25 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G secures 4 wins, primarily in specialized workloads. Despite this, both processors sit at the 71st percentile in the database, and their average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the AMD chip at 17507 and the Intel chip at 17177. This indicates that the choice between them depends heavily on specific use cases rather than overall performance levels.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is stark and defined by the benchmark categories. The Intel Core i5-11400F is the clear winner for general computing, gaming, and most productivity tasks. Its victories span across every 3DMark test, every Cinebench test, Geekbench, and several PassMark tests including floating point math, integer math, physics, and single-thread performance. This makes it the stronger choice for users who need consistent, high-performance execution across a broad range of software, from creative applications to simulation workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G, conversely, wins in a smaller set of specialized tasks. It takes the top spot in PassMark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, and random string sorting. These results suggest that the AMD processor has specific architectural advantages in memory-intensive or security-focused workloads. For example, its data encryption score is 13572 compared to Intel's 10247, a substantial 32.4% advantage. A user running encryption-heavy processes or working with large compressed datasets would find the AMD chip notably more efficient.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is built on the 7 nm process node by TSMC, using the Zen 2 architecture and the Renoir codename. It packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-11400F uses the 14 nm process node from Intel, with the Rocket Lake architecture, and has a larger die size of 276 mm². The transistor count for the Intel chip is not recorded in the database.

Cache configurations also differ. The AMD processor features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core, the same 512 KB L2 per core, but a significantly larger 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache on the Intel chip likely contributes to its performance advantage in many multi-threaded and single-threaded tests.

Memory support is identical in bandwidth, with both offering dual-channel DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s. However, PCIe support differs: the AMD chip provides Gen 3 with 20 lanes, while the Intel chip offers the newer Gen 4 standard with the same 20 lanes. A notable feature difference is the integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has no integrated graphics at all, as indicated by the "F" suffix. This means the AMD chip can run a system without a discrete GPU, while the Intel chip requires one.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-11400F's wins are often by wide margins. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1777 against AMD's 1460, a 17.8% advantage. This is echoed in 3DMark single-thread, where Intel leads 868 to 726, a 16.4% gap. Multi-core performance also favors Intel, with Geekbench multicore showing 7737 versus 6637, a 14.2% difference. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows Intel at 14340 against AMD's 13593, a 5.2% lead. Even in PassMark multithread, Intel wins 16908 to 15992, a 5.4% margin.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G's wins are equally decisive in its favored tasks. The data encryption result is the most dramatic, with AMD leading by 32.4%. Data compression shows AMD ahead with 231426 versus 208472, an 11% advantage. The extended instructions test is closer, with AMD scoring 15280 against Intel's 14976, a 2% lead. Random string sorting is the narrowest win, at 24246 versus 24124, a 0.5% margin. These results paint a picture of a processor that excels in specific data handling operations, likely due to the Zen 2 architecture's efficiency in certain instruction paths.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-11400F is the superior processor for the vast majority of users. Its 21 out of 25 wins include all major synthetic and real-world application benchmarks, from gaming simulations in 3DMark to rendering in Cinebench and general computing in Geekbench. The performance advantage is consistent, ranging from roughly 5% in Cinebench multicore tests to over 17% in single-core tests. If a user's workload involves typical desktop tasks, gaming, content creation, or software development, the Intel chip is the clear recommendation.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is the better choice only for a niche set of specialized workloads. Users who prioritize data encryption, compression, or extended instruction set performance would see significant benefits. The 32.4% lead in encryption and 11% lead in compression are substantial enough to make a real difference in those specific tasks. Additionally, the presence of integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics means the AMD chip can serve as a complete system solution without a dedicated graphics card, which is a critical factor for certain builds, though this is not reflected in the benchmark scores themselves.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F is faster. It leads by 17.8% in Geekbench single-core and 11% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F wins in all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 14340 versus AMD's 13593, a 5.2% lead, and in PassMark multithread it leads 16908 to 15992.

Q: Are there any tests where the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G wins?

A: Yes, it wins 4 tests. These are PassMark data compression (11% lead), data encryption (32.4% lead), extended instructions (2% lead), and random string sorting (0.5% lead).

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the process nodes for these chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is built on a 7 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-11400F uses a 14 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has a higher boost clock at 4.40 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G's 4.20 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The AMD chip is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel processor uses the Intel Socket 1200. The AMD chip is built on a 7 nm process with 9,800 million transistors and a 156 mm² die size, while the Intel chip uses a 14 nm process and a 276 mm² die size. The AMD chip has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel chip has 12 MB. PCIe support differs, with AMD offering Gen 3 and Intel offering Gen 4. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G includes integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-11400F has none. The AMD chip's launch MSRP is $154, and the Intel chip's launch MSRP is $157.