AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS vs AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. The 3800XT also carries a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 4.70 GHz, versus 3.00 GHz and 4.00 GHz on the 4600HS.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 3800XT scores 2230 versus 1226 for the 4600HS, a delta of 81.9%. In Geekbench multi-core, the 3800XT scores 8561 versus 5135, a delta of 66.7%. The database records 4 wins for the 3800XT and 0 for the 4600HS across head-to-head tests.

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing node?

A: Both use a 7 nm process from TSMC. However, the 3800XT is built on Zen 2 architecture with the Matisse 2 codename, while the 4600HS is also Zen 2 but uses the Renoir codename. The die size differs significantly: 74 mm² for the desktop part versus 156 mm² for the mobile chip.

Q: Do they support the same memory bandwidth?

A: No. The 4600HS has a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the 3800XT is rated at 51.2 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which one has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS includes Radeon RX Vega 6 integrated graphics, while the 3800XT has no integrated graphics. This makes the 4600HS suitable for systems without a discrete GPU.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The 3800XT has an average benchmark score of 3515, placing it in the 55th percentile of all CPUs. The 4600HS averages 3444, sitting in the 54th percentile. The 3800XT is about 2% higher in average score, but both are closely matched in overall percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same Zen 2 architecture and 7 nm TSMC process, but they are fundamentally different designs. The 3800XT uses the Matisse 2 codename and targets the desktop segment with an AMD Socket AM4. The 4600HS uses Renoir and is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP6. The transistor counts tell a striking story: the 3800XT packs 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while the 4600HS has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The mobile chip integrates more functionality, including the Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics, which explains its larger physical footprint.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. Both have 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs: the 3800XT has 32 MB shared L3, while the 4600HS has only 8 MB shared L3. This 4x difference in L3 capacity likely contributes to the desktop chip's advantage in latency-sensitive workloads. The 3800XT also supports PCIe Gen 4, while the 4600HS is limited to PCIe Gen 3. The 3800XT has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the 4600HS is locked, reflecting the desktop versus mobile design philosophy.

Power delivery is another major split. The 3800XT has a TDP of 105 watts, which is typical for a high-performance desktop part. The 4600HS is rated at 35 watts, a low-power mobile design. This 70-watt gap is not just a spec sheet detail; it underpins the entire performance envelope. The desktop chip can sustain higher clocks under load, while the mobile chip prioritizes thermal efficiency and battery life. The release dates also differ, with the 4600HS launching in January 2020 and the 3800XT in July 2020, suggesting the desktop part benefited from later tuning.

Where Each One Wins

The 3800XT is the clear winner in CPU-bound desktop workloads. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration with 32 MB L3 cache and 105 W TDP delivers substantially higher multi-core performance. The database shows it wins all four head-to-head benchmark comparisons. For tasks like video rendering, code compilation, or heavy multitasking, the 3800XT provides a decisive edge. The 26.6% lead in single-core Cinebench R15 and 37.1% lead in Geekbench single-core also make it the better choice for responsive, lightly threaded applications.

The 4600HS wins in scenarios where the 3800XT cannot physically operate. As a mobile processor with integrated Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics, it fits into thin-and-light laptops where a discrete GPU and desktop socket are not options. The 4600HS also offers higher memory bandwidth at 68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s, which could benefit certain memory-intensive tasks despite the lower core count. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for systems with limited cooling and power budgets. The database shows the 4600HS has a higher average benchmark score than its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i7-5960X, by 0%, which suggests it holds its own in the mobile space.

For users deciding between these two, the choice is not about which is better in a vacuum. It is about the platform. The 3800XT is a desktop component that demands a discrete GPU and a motherboard with an AM4 socket. The 4600HS is a mobile component designed to be soldered into laptops, with integrated graphics and lower power consumption. The data cannot declare one a universal winner; it can only show that the 3800XT dominates in raw CPU performance.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, according to the database:

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT | AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS |

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

| Series | 3000 series | 4000 series |

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Codename | Matisse 2 | Renoir |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 156 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon RX Vega 6 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2020-07-06 | 2020-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $399 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

The most consequential differences are the core count, TDP, and cache size. The 3800XT has 33% more cores and threads, 4x the L3 cache, and 3x the TDP. The 4600HS compensates with integrated graphics and higher memory bandwidth. The PCIe generation gap also matters for future-proofing, as Gen 4 doubles the theoretical bandwidth available to GPUs and NVMe drives.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records four direct comparisons between these processors, and the 3800XT wins all of them. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the 3800XT scores 2230 versus 1226 for the 4600HS, a delta of 81.9%. This is nearly double the mobile chip's output. The gap is less extreme but still decisive in Geekbench multi-core, with scores of 8561 versus 5135, a delta of 66.7%. These results align with the core and thread advantage of the 3800XT, though the 81.9% margin exceeds the 33% core count difference, suggesting the desktop part also benefits from higher clocks and a larger cache.

Single-core results show a smaller but still meaningful lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the 3800XT scores 219 versus 173, a delta of 26.6%. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1773 versus 1293, a delta of 37.1%. The boost clock difference of 4.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz explains part of this, but the 3800XT also has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 3.00 GHz. The single-core deltas are substantial for same-architecture parts, indicating that the 4600HS is not just down on cores but also on per-core frequency headroom.

The 4600HS does not appear in the head-to-head benchmark list with any wins. Its only counterpoints are the memory bandwidth advantage and the integrated GPU, which are not captured in these CPU-only tests. The 3800XT's average benchmark score of 3515 sits 2.1% above the 4600HS's 3444, but percentile rankings are close: 55th versus 54th. This suggests that while the 3800XT is faster in these specific tests, both occupy a similar tier in the broader CPU landscape.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion for raw CPU performance: the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is the stronger processor. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, with multi-core deltas of 81.9% and 66.7%, and single-core deltas of 26.6% and 37.1%. For anyone building a desktop system where power draw and physical size are not constraints, the 3800XT offers a significant performance advantage. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, 32 MB L3 cache, and 105 W TDP make it the obvious choice for demanding workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is not a competitor in the same arena; it is a different product class. The database shows it is a mobile processor with integrated Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics, a 35 W TDP, and PCIe Gen 3. Its strengths lie in portability and efficiency, not in raw compute. The higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s is a notable feature, but it does not translate into benchmark wins against the 3800XT. The 4600HS is the correct pick for a laptop where the 3800XT cannot physically be installed.

The verdict should be conditional on the use case. If the question is which CPU is faster, the answer is the 3800XT without qualification. If the question is which CPU belongs in a given system, the answer depends on whether that system is a desktop or a mobile device. The data cannot reconcile these two fundamentally different market segments, but it can state clearly that the 3800XT outperforms the 4600HS in every measured metric.