AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE vs Intel Core i7-9700KF Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE vs Intel Core i7-9700KF

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE and the Intel Core i7-9700KF take very different paths to desktop performance. The Ryzen chip is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 2 part built on a 7 nm process with a 35 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics. The Intel chip is an 8-core, 8-thread Coffee Lake Refresh part on a 14 nm process with a 95 W TDP and no integrated graphics. The database records six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, and the AMD processor wins all six by a consistent margin. This makes the comparison less about raw speed and more about efficiency, feature set, and platform longevity.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results are uniform in their outcome. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE leads the Intel Core i7-9700KF in every single test, and the margin is identical across all six benchmarks at 11.6%. That consistency across both single-core and multi-core workloads suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen 5 4600GE scores 1361 in multi-core against 1219 for the Intel chip. The single-core result is 192 versus 172. Both are 11.6% improvements. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD part posts 5672 multi-core and 800 single-core, while the Intel part manages 5082 and 717 respectively. The gap remains exactly 11.6% in both cases. Cinebench R23 shows the same picture: the AMD chip scores 13505 multi-core and 1906 single-core, while the Intel chip scores 12100 and 1708. Again, the delta is 11.6%.

The pattern is remarkable. The Ryzen 5 4600GE wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, and the win percentage is exactly the same in every test. This indicates that the performance difference is not dependent on the number of threads being used or the intensity of the workload. It is a straightforward, linear advantage. The Intel Core i7-9700KF has two more physical cores, but it lacks Hyper-Threading, so it only has 8 threads. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. In heavily threaded Cinebench workloads, the extra threads of the AMD part appear to compensate for the two missing physical cores, and then some.

The single-core results are more telling for the architecture comparison. The Ryzen 5 4600GE has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-9700KF boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Intel chip has a 700 MHz higher boost clock, yet it still loses single-core Cinebench by 11.6%. This speaks to the instructions per clock (IPC) advantage of the Zen 2 architecture. The AMD chip is doing more work per clock cycle, which allows it to overcome the clock speed deficit.

Looking at the broader database context, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has an average benchmark score of 3906 across all recorded tests, while the Intel Core i7-9700KF has 3787. That is a 3.1% difference in average score. Both chips sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS at 3924 (-0.5%), the Intel Xeon E-2278GE at 3939 (-0.8%), and the Intel Core i7-11700T at 3864 (+1.1%). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 at 3777 (+0.3%), the Intel Core i5-1245U at 3775 (+0.3%), and the Intel Core i7-8086K at 3800 (-0.3%).

These rival comparisons show that both chips occupy a similar tier in the overall performance landscape. The 56th percentile placement for both is notable, given that one is a 35 W low-power part and the other is a 95 W high-end desktop part. The Ryzen 5 4600GE achieves the same percentile ranking while consuming far less power and including integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE scores 13505, while the Intel Core i7-9700KF scores 12100. The AMD part leads by 11.6%.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-9700KF faster in single-core performance due to its higher boost clock?

A: No. Despite a boost clock of 4.90 GHz compared to 4.20 GHz for the AMD chip, the Intel part loses every single-core Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 1906 against 1708 for Intel, a difference of 11.6%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-9700KF have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-9700KF has no integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700KF has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Core i7-9700KF has a TDP of 95 W. The AMD part uses significantly less power.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has an active production status. The Intel Core i7-9700KF is listed as end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, part of the Ryzen 5 generation. It uses a 7 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The Intel Core i7-9700KF uses the Coffee Lake architecture with the Coffee Lake codename, part of the Core i7 generation (Coffee Lake Refresh). It uses a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel.

The process node difference is substantial. A 7 nm process versus a 14 nm process means the AMD chip can pack more transistors into less space. The database records the AMD chip as having 9,800 million transistors on a die size of 156 mm². The Intel chip does not have a transistor count listed, but its die size is 180.3 mm². The smaller die with more transistors gives the AMD part a density advantage that likely contributes to its performance-per-watt leadership.

Cache configurations also differ. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel chip has 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is shared: the AMD chip has 8 MB shared, while the Intel chip has 12 MB shared. So the Intel part has more total L3 cache, but the AMD part has more L2 cache per core.

The memory support is similar in type, with both supporting DDR4 and dual-channel memory. However, the memory bandwidth differs. The AMD chip records 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip records 42.7 GB/s. The AMD part has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth, which can help in memory-sensitive workloads.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE includes Radeon Vega 7 graphics. The Intel Core i7-9700KF has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the AMD chip a complete package for a system without a discrete GPU, while the Intel chip absolutely requires a separate graphics card.

The platform sockets differ as well. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1151. This means the two processors are not interchangeable in any motherboard.

Neither processor supports ECC memory according to the database. Both have an unlocked multiplier, so both can be overclocked if the motherboard and cooling allow it.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-9700KF has 8 cores and 8 threads. The base clocks differ, with the AMD chip at 3.30 GHz and the Intel chip at 3.60 GHz. The boost clocks differ more significantly, with the AMD chip at 4.20 GHz and the Intel chip at 4.90 GHz.

The TDP is a major difference. The AMD chip is rated at 35 W, and the Intel chip is rated at 95 W. That is a 60 W difference in thermal design power, which affects cooling requirements and power supply sizing.

The sockets are different: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1151. The process nodes differ: 7 nm for AMD versus 14 nm for Intel. The foundries differ: TSMC for AMD versus Intel for the Intel chip. The die sizes differ: 156 mm² for AMD versus 180.3 mm² for Intel.

The L2 cache per core differs: 512 KB for AMD versus 256 KB for Intel. The L3 cache differs: 8 MB shared for AMD versus 12 MB shared for Intel. The memory bandwidth differs: 51.2 GB/s for AMD versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel.

The integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 7 present on the AMD chip, none on the Intel chip. The PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 for the AMD chip, and Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the Intel chip.

The production status differs: the AMD chip is active, while the Intel chip is end-of-life. The release dates differ as well: the AMD chip was released in 2020, while the Intel chip was released in 2019. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $374, which is listed once here for reference. The AMD chip has no launch MSRP recorded.

The part numbers also differ: 100-000000150 for AMD, and SRG16SRFAC for Intel.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-9700KF, with a consistent 11.6% margin across both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. The AMD chip achieves this while using a 35 W TDP against the Intel chip's 95 W TDP, and while including integrated graphics that the Intel chip lacks entirely.

The Intel Core i7-9700KF does have advantages, but they do not show up in the Cinebench results. It has two more physical cores, a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, a much higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, and more L3 cache at 12 MB versus 8 MB. None of these translate into a benchmark win in the recorded data.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head results. The AMD chip averages 3906 across all tests, while the Intel chip averages 3787. Both sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS and the Intel Core i7-11700T, both of which are within 1.1% of its average score. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 and the Intel Core i7-8086K, also within 0.9%. This places both chips in a similar performance tier, but the AMD chip reaches that tier with far less power and an integrated GPU.

For a builder, the choice depends on the platform and system goals. The AMD chip is still in production, fits the AM4 socket, and provides a complete solution with integrated graphics. The Intel chip is end-of-life, requires a discrete GPU, and uses more power. The data suggests that the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE is the better performing processor in the tested workloads, and it does so at a fraction of the thermal envelope.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE wins in all tested Cinebench scenarios. This includes both single-core and multi-core versions of Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The 11.6% lead is consistent across all six tests, so there is no workload category in the recorded data where the Intel chip pulls ahead.

The AMD chip also wins in efficiency. With a 35 W TDP versus 95 W for Intel, the AMD part delivers higher benchmark scores while consuming less than half the thermal design power. This makes it suitable for compact builds, low-noise systems, and environments where heat output matters.

The AMD chip wins on integration. It includes Radeon Vega 7 graphics, so a system can be built without a discrete GPU. The Intel Core i7-9700KF has no integrated graphics, meaning a separate graphics card is mandatory for any display output.

The AMD chip wins on production status. It is listed as active, while the Intel chip is end-of-life. For new system builds, the AMD part is a more current option.

The Intel Core i7-9700KF has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its advantages are limited to specifications that do not translate into measured performance gains: more physical cores (8 versus 6), a higher base clock (3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz), a higher boost clock (4.90 GHz versus 4.20 GHz), and more L3 cache (12 MB versus 8 MB). These specifications may matter in workloads not covered by the recorded Cinebench tests, but the database shows no test where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip.

The Intel chip also has a recorded launch MSRP of $374, which is listed for historical reference. The AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

In practical terms, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE is the superior choice for anyone who wants the best recorded Cinebench performance, lower power draw, integrated graphics, and an active production part. The Intel Core i7-9700KF is a legacy part with higher clock speeds and more physical cores, but the data shows it losing to the AMD chip in every measured workload. For a new build, the AMD part is the one the benchmark results support.