AMD Ryzen 5 4600U vs Intel Processor U300 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U and Intel Processor U300 are both 15 W mobile processors, but the recorded data shows a clean split. The AMD chip dominates multi-threaded work with a 39.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Intel chip leads single-core by 20.9% in the same suite. Their average benchmark scores sit close, 1832 for AMD and 1881 for Intel, with percentiles of 42 and 43 respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results come from Cinebench R15, the only suite where both chips have directly comparable recorded scores. In multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U scores 1089 against 781 for the Intel Processor U300. That is a 39.4% lead for AMD, a decisive margin that reflects the core and thread disparity: 6 cores and 12 threads versus 5 cores and 6 threads. For any workload that scales across cores, the data is unambiguous.

In single-core, the tables turn. The Intel Processor U300 scores 222 in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U manages 175.5. Intel leads by 20.9%. The Intel chip's boost clock of 4.40 GHz against AMD's 4.00 GHz helps explain the gap, though the architectural generation difference also plays a role.

Beyond the direct head-to-head, the broader benchmark records reinforce the split. The AMD chip posts Geekbench multi-core of 4715 and single-core of 1347. The Intel chip posts Cinebench R23 multi-core of 4905 and single-core of 1616. These are different tests, so they are not directly comparable, but they show the same pattern: Intel has the single-thread edge, AMD has the multi-thread edge.

The win count in the database is exactly even: one win for each chip. That balance is the headline. Neither part is a universal winner.

The Verdict

The verdict depends entirely on workload. For multi-threaded productivity, rendering, compilation, or any parallel task, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is the clear choice. Its 39.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is the largest margin recorded in this comparison, and its 6-core, 12-thread configuration gives it a structural advantage that no single-core speed can offset in threaded work.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel Processor U300 is the pick. Its 20.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, combined with a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, makes it the better option for lightly threaded applications, everyday responsiveness, and tasks that depend on one or two fast cores.

The aggregate scores are close. The Intel chip holds a higher average benchmark score of 1881 against 1832 for AMD, and a slightly higher percentile of 43 against 42. But the average masks the directional difference. The Intel chip's average is lifted by its single-core strength, while the AMD chip's average is carried by multi-core. Buyers should match the chip to the workload, not to the average.

The rival context reinforces the positioning. The AMD chip's average score of 1832 places it within 0.1% of the Intel Core i5-8305G (1831) and 0.2% below the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G (1836). The Intel chip's average of 1881 sits within 0.1% of the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 (1879) and 0.2% below the Intel Xeon D-1531 (1885). Both chips sit in a dense cluster of comparable performers, which makes the workload-specific split even more important.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design generations and foundries. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. The Intel Processor U300 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The database does not record transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core counts differ significantly. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel provides 5 cores and 6 threads. The thread count difference is the main driver of the multi-core benchmark gap.

Cache layouts also differ. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, also with 8 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Intel side may help single-threaded performance, while the equal L3 capacity keeps both at 8 MB.

Memory support diverges. AMD supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe support also differs: AMD offers Gen 3, while Intel offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the CPU only.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses Radeon RX Vega 6, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 48EU. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so no performance comparison is possible from the recorded data.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows where the two parts diverge. Core count: 6 for AMD, 5 for Intel. Threads: 12 for AMD, 6 for Intel. Base clock: 2.10 GHz for AMD, 1200 MHz for Intel. Boost clock: 4.00 GHz for AMD, 4.40 GHz for Intel. Socket: AMD Socket FP6 for AMD, Intel BGA 1744 for Intel. Architecture: Zen 2 for AMD, Raptor Lake for Intel. Process node: 7 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Foundry: TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel.

Transistors and die size are recorded only for AMD: 9,800 million transistors and 156 mm². The Intel part has no recorded values. L1 cache: 64 KB per core for AMD, 80 KB per core for Intel. L2 cache: 512 KB per core for AMD, 1.25 MB per core for Intel. L3 cache is identical at 8 MB shared. Memory support: DDR4 and LPDDR4 for AMD, DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel. Memory bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s for AMD, not recorded for Intel. PCIe: Gen 3 for AMD, Gen 4 with 8 lanes CPU only for Intel. Integrated graphics: Radeon RX Vega 6 for AMD, UHD Graphics 48EU for Intel.

Release dates differ: 2020-01-05 for AMD, 2023-01-03 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $193; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are locked multipliers, both are mobile parts, both are active in production, both use 15 W TDP, both use dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U wins. It scores 1089 in Cinebench R15 multi-core against 781 for the Intel Processor U300, a 39.4% lead.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor U300 wins. It scores 222 in Cinebench R15 single-core against 175.5 for the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U, a 20.9% lead.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Processor U300 has 5 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes and foundries?

A: The AMD chip is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel chip is built on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5, with no bandwidth recorded in the database.

Q: Which chip has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Processor U300 has a higher average benchmark score of 1881, compared to 1832 for the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U. Intel also holds a slightly higher percentile of 43 versus 42.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600U wins in multi-threaded scenarios. Its 6 cores and 12 threads give it a 39.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the largest margin in this comparison. Rendering, video encoding, software compilation, and any workload that spreads across cores will favor the AMD part. Its 7 nm process, 9,800 million transistors, and 156 mm² die are the recorded physical characteristics behind that multi-core capability.

The Intel Processor U300 wins in single-threaded scenarios. Its 20.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, driven by a 4.40 GHz boost clock, makes it the better choice for applications that rely on one or two fast cores. The newer 2023 release date, DDR5 memory support, and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity also give it a platform-level edge for modern systems. Its higher average benchmark score of 1881 and percentile of 43 reflect that single-thread strength.

The database records one win for each chip. There is no overall victor. The choice comes down to whether the workload is parallel or serial. For parallel work, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U is the data-backed pick. For serial work, the Intel Processor U300 is the data-backed pick.