AMD Ryzen 5 4600U vs Intel Core i5-1035G4 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U outperforms the Intel Core i5-1035G4 in every head-to-head test available. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 1089 against Intel’s 648, a 40.5% deficit for the Intel part. In single-core, AMD posts 175.5 versus Intel’s 91, a 48.1% gap. The Intel Core i5-1035G4 records zero wins in the direct comparison, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U takes both.

Given these results, the Ryzen 5 4600U is the clear choice for any workload that prioritizes raw compute throughput, whether that is multi-threaded rendering, code compilation, or general productivity. The Intel part, however, is not without context: its average benchmark score of 1861 is nearly identical to the AMD’s 1832, and both CPUs sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. This suggests that the two chips are broadly comparable in overall system performance when averaged across a wider test suite, even though the direct Cinebench R15 comparison heavily favors AMD.

For users who need the absolute best multi-core and single-core Cinebench numbers, the Ryzen 5 4600U is the only sensible pick. For those who already own a platform compatible with the Intel BGA 1526 socket or who rely on Intel’s Iris Plus integrated graphics, the Core i5-1035G4 remains a functional option, but the data shows it lags significantly in the measured tests. The verdict is simple: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U wins on performance, and the Intel Core i5-1035G4 wins only in scenarios where ecosystem fit or integrated graphics preferences override benchmark results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-1035G4 uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It packs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The die measures 123 mm². Cache is split as 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and it uses PCIe Gen 3. The integrated graphics are Iris Plus, and the chip fits into the Intel BGA 1526 socket. The production status is active, and it was released on 2019-07-31.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U belongs to the 4000 series, using the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename. It is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, with 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 2.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Cache layout is 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support covers both DDR4 and LPDDR4 on a dual-channel bus with the same 51.2 GB/s bandwidth as the Intel part, and it also uses PCIe Gen 3. The integrated graphics are Radeon RX Vega 6, and the socket is AMD Socket FP6. It was released on 2020-01-05.

The most obvious architectural difference is core count: AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads versus Intel’s 4 cores and 8 threads. This alone explains much of the multi-core performance gap. The process node also differs, with AMD on 7 nm versus Intel on 10 nm, which typically allows for higher efficiency and more transistors. AMD’s die is larger at 156 mm², but it packs 9,800 million transistors, a figure Intel’s entry does not disclose in the database. The L3 cache is also larger on AMD, 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared, which can improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads. Both chips share the same memory bandwidth, PCIe generation, and dual-channel memory bus, so those factors are not differentiators. The integrated graphics differ, with Iris Plus on Intel and Radeon RX Vega 6 on AMD, but the database does not include graphics benchmarks for either.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The direct comparison between these two CPUs is limited to two Cinebench R15 tests, and AMD wins both decisively. In multi-core, the Ryzen 5 4600U scores 1089, while the Core i5-1035G4 scores 648. The delta is 40.5% in favor of AMD, meaning Intel’s chip delivers only about 60% of AMD’s multi-threaded performance. This is a substantial gap, likely driven by AMD’s two extra cores and four extra threads, combined with a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

In single-core, the AMD chip scores 175.5, while Intel manages just 91. The delta is 48.1%, an even larger relative deficit. This is surprising given that single-core performance usually depends on clock speed and IPC rather than core count. The Ryzen 5 4600U’s base clock of 2.10 GHz is nearly double Intel’s 1.10 GHz base, and its boost clock is 300 MHz higher. While Cinebench R15 single-core is an older test, the data shows AMD’s Zen 2 cores are significantly faster per-thread in this workload.

Beyond the head-to-head, the database includes additional benchmarks for each chip separately. The Intel Core i5-1035G4 has a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 2703 and single-core score of 381, plus Cinebench R23 scores of 6436 multi-core and 908 single-core. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U has Geekbench scores of 4715 multi-core and 1347 single-core. These are not directly comparable across different test suites, but they do show that both chips are capable of respectable performance in their respective ranges. The average benchmark score for Intel is 1861, and for AMD it is 1832, a difference of less than 2%. This indicates that when considering a broader set of metrics beyond Cinebench R15, the two CPUs are much closer than the head-to-head delta suggests.

The nearest rivals in the database also put these scores in context. Intel’s Core i5-1035G4 sits within 0.9% of the Intel Core i5-7600 (which scores 1844) and within 0.3% of the Intel Core i3-9350K (1867). AMD’s Ryzen 5 4600U is within 0.1% of the Intel Core i5-8305G (1831) and the Intel Xeon E5-2608L v3 (1830). Both chips are essentially mid-pack performers, with the same 42nd percentile rank, meaning they are neither top-tier nor entry-level in the broader CPU landscape.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U scores 1089, which is 40.5% higher than the Intel Core i5-1035G4’s 648.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The database records zero wins for the Intel Core i5-1035G4 and two wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U across the two Cinebench R15 tests.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G4 has an average benchmark score of 1861, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U scores 1832, a difference of roughly 1.6% in Intel’s favor.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G4 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both chips support the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4, while AMD supports DDR4 and LPDDR4.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U boosts to 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1035G4 boosts to 3.70 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U wins in the only two direct benchmark comparisons recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it beats Intel by 40.5%, which is a massive margin for a mobile processor. This makes it the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, batch photo processing, and any task that can utilize 6 cores and 12 threads. The single-core win of 48.1% is even more striking, suggesting that AMD’s Zen 2 architecture delivers superior per-thread performance in this test. This matters for applications that are single-threaded, such as older games, spreadsheets, or lightweight scripting, where the Ryzen 5 4600U should feel noticeably snappier.

The Intel Core i5-1035G4, despite losing both head-to-head tests, has some areas where it holds its own. Its average benchmark score of 1861 is actually higher than AMD’s 1832, so in a broader benchmark suite, the two are nearly tied. The Intel chip also has a smaller die at 123 mm² versus AMD’s 156 mm², which could imply lower manufacturing cost per wafer, though the database does not provide pricing. The Intel part uses the same 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and PCIe Gen 3, so memory and expansion capabilities are equivalent. The Iris Plus integrated graphics may be preferable for certain users, though no graphics benchmarks are available to confirm superiority. Intel also has a lower base clock of 1100 MHz versus 2100 MHz, which likely contributes to lower idle power consumption, though the TDP is identical at 15 watts for both.

For a user who only cares about the measured Cinebench R15 results, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is the definitive winner. For a user who values the slightly higher average benchmark score, the Intel Core i5-1035G4 is arguably the safer all-rounder, especially if they need Intel’s specific platform features or integrated graphics. The data does not support any claim of Intel winning on raw performance, but it does show that the two CPUs are peers in the broader database context. The AMD chip wins on raw compute, while Intel’s edge is marginal and limited to the average score metric.