AMD Ryzen 5 5500U vs Intel Core i5-10400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U and the Intel Core i5-10400, with the Intel part winning 15 of 23 head-to-head comparisons while the AMD chip takes 8. The most dramatic difference appears in the Cinebench R15 tests, where the Ryzen 5 5500U leads by a wide margin. In the multicore run, the AMD scores 1247 against the Intel's 838, a 48.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: 177 versus 118, a 50% lead for the Ryzen. These are the largest deltas in either direction across the entire benchmark set.

The Intel Core i5-10400 answers in the 3DMark suite. At 16 threads, the Intel scores 4743 against the AMD's 3741, a 21.1% deficit for the Ryzen. At max threads, the gap widens to 22.7% (4715 versus 3643). The 8-thread test shows a 16.9% Intel lead (3922 versus 3259), while the 4-thread test is closer at 4.7% (2567 versus 2446). The single-thread 3DMark result is nearly identical: 688 for Intel versus 684 for AMD, a 0.6% edge.

Cinebench R23 tells a different story than R15. The Intel part wins the multicore run with 8316 versus 7186, a 13.6% margin. The single-core R23 numbers are essentially tied: 1174 for Intel, 1172 for AMD, a 0.2% difference. This reversal between R15 and R23 suggests the two processors respond differently to workload scaling.

Geekbench favors the AMD chip. The single-core score is 1292 versus 1108, a 16.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5500U. The multicore result is closer, with the AMD at 4965 and the Intel at 4790, a 3.7% advantage. PassMark tests are split down the middle. The AMD wins integer math (45258 versus 41715, an 8.5% lead), multithread (12831 versus 12006, 6.9%), and data encryption by a massive 155.1% (10405 versus 4078). The Intel wins data compression (187207 versus 174584, 6.7%), extended instructions (12501 versus 10838, 13.3%), find prime numbers (34 versus 26, 23.5%), physics (669 versus 533, 20.3%), random string sorting (23206 versus 19035, 18%), and single-thread (2560 versus 2419, 5.5%). Floating point math is a virtual tie: 26080 versus 26029, a 0.2% Intel edge.

The average benchmark score places the Ryzen 5 5500U at 14589, slightly above the Intel's 14037. The AMD sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel is at the 68th. Both processors show similar company in their nearest rivals: the AMD is within 0.6% of the Ryzen 3 4100 and 0.1% of the EPYC 7473X, while the Intel is 1% behind the Core i5-10400F and 0.7% ahead of the EPYC 7443.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design points. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Lucienne codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-10400 uses Comet Lake, a 14 nm design fabricated by Intel. This process gap likely explains part of the power and efficiency difference: the AMD carries a 15 watt TDP, while the Intel is rated at 65 watts.

Both chips have 6 cores and 12 threads, so core counts do not separate them. The cache layouts differ. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel also has 64 KB of L1 per core but only 256 KB of L2 per core, with a larger 12 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on the Intel part may help in workloads that benefit from a bigger shared pool.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, with dual-channel buses. The bandwidth figures differ: the AMD lists 51.2 GB/s, the Intel 42.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also varies. The AMD provides Gen 3 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD includes Radeon Graphics with 448 SPs, while the Intel has UHD Graphics 630. The AMD is a mobile part using Socket FP6, while the Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1200. Clock speeds favor the Intel on paper: the base clock is 2.90 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.30 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. The release dates are roughly eight months apart, with the AMD arriving on 2021-01-11 and the Intel on 2020-04-29.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core i5-10400 is the stronger performer in the majority of tests, winning 15 of 23 comparisons. Its advantages are most pronounced in multi-threaded 3DMark workloads, where it leads by 21% to 23%, and in several PassMark sub-tests such as physics, random string sorting, and prime number finding. The Intel also wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test by 13.6%, which is a modern rendering workload.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, however, is not simply a loser. It dominates Cinebench R15 by roughly 49% to 50%, which is an older rendering benchmark. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 16.6% and multicore by 3.7%, plus PassMark integer math, multithread, and encryption. The encryption result is extraordinary: the AMD is 155.1% ahead, meaning it processes over two and a half times the data throughput in that specific task.

The overall average score favors the AMD by a narrow margin: 14589 versus 14037, about 3.9% higher. The percentile ranking is nearly identical, 69 versus 68. Users who prioritize modern rendering (R23) and heavy multi-threaded 3D workloads should favor the Intel. Users who need encryption throughput, integer math, or older Cinebench R15 performance should favor the AMD. The Intel's higher boost clock (4.30 GHz versus 4.00 GHz) and larger L3 cache (12 MB versus 8 MB) likely contribute to its wins in cache-sensitive and clock-driven tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | Intel Core i5-10400 |

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

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 512 KB | 256 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 8 MB | 12 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes (CPU only) | 12 (Gen 3) | 16 (Gen 3) |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 448SP | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2021-01-11 | 2020-04-29 |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

The transistor count and die size are listed only for the AMD part: 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The Intel data does not include these figures. Both have 6 cores, 12 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, and dual-channel DDR4 support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400 boosts to 4.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U reaches 4.00 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the AMD in data encryption?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500U scores 10405 in PassMark data encryption, which is 155.1% higher than the Intel's 4078. This is the largest single-test margin in the entire comparison.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has an average benchmark score of 14589, while the Intel Core i5-10400 scores 14037. The AMD is about 3.9% higher overall.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has 8 MB. The Intel also has half the L2 cache per core (256 KB versus 512 KB).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U nor the Intel Core i5-10400 supports ECC memory, according to the recorded specifications.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U is rated at 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-10400 is rated at 65 watts. This reflects the AMD's mobile design versus the Intel's desktop positioning.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-10400 wins in 15 of the 23 head-to-head benchmarks. Its strongest categories are 3DMark multi-threaded tests: 16 threads (4743 versus 3741), max threads (4715 versus 3643), and 8 threads (3922 versus 3259). These are large margins of 21% or more. The Intel also takes Cinebench R23 multicore (8316 versus 7186), PassMark physics (669 versus 533), random string sorting (23206 versus 19035), and find prime numbers (34 versus 26). In single-thread tests, the Intel leads in 3DMark single thread (688 versus 684) and PassMark single thread (2560 versus 2419), though the 3DMark margin is tiny.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U wins in 8 benchmarks. Its most notable victories are PassMark data encryption (10405 versus 4078, a 155.1% lead), Cinebench R15 multicore (1247 versus 838, 48.8%), Cinebench R15 singlecore (177 versus 118, 50%), and Geekbench singlecore (1292 versus 1108, 16.6%). The AMD also wins Geekbench multicore (4965 versus 4790), PassMark integer math (45258 versus 41715), PassMark multithread (12831 versus 12006), and 3DMark 2 threads (1354 versus 1350).

For users running modern rendering workloads like Cinebench R23 or heavy 3D scenes, the Intel is the clear choice. For users dealing with encryption tasks, older Cinebench R15 loads, or integer-heavy calculations, the AMD offers a significant advantage. The near tie in floating point math (26080 versus 26029) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1174 versus 1172) means neither chip has a meaningful edge in those specific tasks. The Intel's 15-win tally and its dominance in the 3DMark suite make it the more broadly capable processor, while the AMD's targeted wins in encryption and R15 suggest it holds value in specialized workloads.