AMD Ryzen 5 4600U vs Intel Core i3-9350K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-9350K has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350K runs at a base clock of 4.00 GHz and boosts to 4.60 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U supports up to 51.2 GB/s, which is higher than the Intel Core i3-9350K's 38.4 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What manufacturing process does each CPU use?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350K is built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U uses TSMC's 7 nm process.

Q: Which CPU has ECC memory support?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350K supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U does not.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-9350K is a desktop processor, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is a mobile processor.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results clearly split the two processors by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U wins both recorded head-to-head tests, which are Cinebench R15 multicore and singlecore. In the multicore test, the AMD chip scores 1089 versus Intel's 650, a 40.3% advantage. In singlecore, AMD scores 175.5 versus Intel's 91, a 48.1% advantage.

The Intel Core i3-9350K has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data. However, its strengths lie in its desktop-oriented design: a higher base clock (4.00 GHz versus 2.10 GHz), a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.00 GHz), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is locked and cannot be overclocked.

For sustained multithreaded workloads, such as video rendering or compiling, the Ryzen 5 4600U's 6 cores and 12 threads give it a decisive edge. For single-threaded tasks that rely on raw clock speed, the Intel chip's higher frequencies could theoretically help, but the recorded singlecore benchmark shows AMD winning by a large margin anyway.

The Intel part also supports ECC memory, which matters for error-sensitive computing. The AMD part supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4, offering more flexibility in mobile system designs.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-9350K uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U uses Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, built on TSMC's 7 nm process with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors.

Cache layouts differ significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3, but the L2 cache differs: Intel has 256 KB per core, while AMD has 512 KB per core. This doubles AMD's total L2 capacity on a per-core basis.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel uses UHD 630, while AMD uses Radeon RX Vega 6. The AMD solution is typically considered more capable for graphics tasks, though the database does not include specific graphics benchmarks.

PCIe support also differs. Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. AMD provides Gen 3 without specifying lane count in the data.

Production status and release dates vary. Intel is end-of-life, released on 2019-04-22. AMD is active, released on 2020-01-05. Intel's part number is SRCZT, AMD's is 100-000000105.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field.

• Cores: Intel 4, AMD 6
• Threads: Intel 4, AMD 12
• Base clock: Intel 4.00 GHz, AMD 2.10 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 4.60 GHz, AMD 4.00 GHz
• TDP: Intel 91 W, AMD 15 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151, AMD Socket FP6
• Process node: Intel 14 nm, AMD 7 nm
• Foundry: Intel, TSMC
• L2 cache: Intel 256 KB per core, AMD 512 KB per core
• Memory support: Intel DDR4, AMD DDR4 and LPDDR4
• Memory bandwidth: Intel 38.4 GB/s, AMD 51.2 GB/s
• ECC memory: Intel true, AMD false
• PCIe: Intel Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only), AMD Gen 3
• Integrated graphics: Intel UHD 630, AMD Radeon RX Vega 6
• Market segment: Intel Desktop, AMD Mobile
• Production status: Intel End-of-life, AMD Active
• Multiplier unlocked: Intel true, AMD false
• Launch MSRP: Intel $184, AMD not available

The TDP difference is stark: 91 W versus 15 W. This reflects their different market segments. The Intel chip is designed for desktop power delivery, while AMD is optimized for mobile efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U scores 1089 against Intel's 650. This is a 40.3% difference in AMD's favor. The margin is substantial and aligns with AMD's 50% more cores and 3x more threads.

In Cinebench R15 singlecore, AMD scores 175.5 against Intel's 91. This is a 48.1% difference. The result is surprising given Intel's higher clock speeds (4.60 GHz boost versus 4.00 GHz boost), but the data is unambiguous.

The overall average benchmark scores are close: Intel averages 1867, AMD averages 1832. Both processors sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for Intel include the Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 (average score 1869, 0.1% higher) and the Intel Core i5-1035G4 (average score 1861, 0.3% lower). For AMD, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8305G (average score 1831, 0.1% lower) and the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G (average score 1836, 0.2% higher).

The database shows AMD winning both head-to-head tests, with 2 wins for AMD and 0 for Intel. The wins are not marginal; they are decisive in both multicore and singlecore scenarios.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is the clear performance winner in the recorded benchmarks. It beats the Intel Core i3-9350K by over 40% in both Cinebench R15 multicore and singlecore tests. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with 512 KB L2 per core delivers results that the 4-core, 4-thread Intel part cannot match, despite Intel's higher clock speeds.

The Intel Core i3-9350K offers specific advantages that matter in certain contexts. It has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, supports ECC memory, and uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151) with a 91 W TDP. It also has a much higher base clock (4.00 GHz versus 2.10 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.00 GHz). For users who prioritize overclocking headroom and ECC support on a desktop platform, the Intel chip has a role.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U, however, is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP. It delivers superior benchmark scores while consuming far less power. It also supports a wider memory range (DDR4 and LPDDR4) and offers higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s). Its 7 nm process and TSMC foundry give it a modern manufacturing advantage.

For any workload that benefits from multiple threads, the AMD chip is the obvious choice. The benchmark data does not show any test where the Intel chip wins. Even in singlecore, where Intel's clock speed advantage should theoretically shine, AMD wins by 48.1%.

The Intel Core i3-9350K is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U remains active. The Intel part launched at $184 MSRP, but no comparable price data exists for the AMD part.

For a desktop builder who wants overclocking and ECC support, the Intel i3-9350K is a functional choice, though its end-of-life status limits future availability. For anyone seeking raw performance, efficiency, or a mobile platform, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is the statistically superior option. The recorded data shows no scenario where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip, making the verdict straightforward: the Ryzen 5 4600U is the better processor based on all available measurements.