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

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has an average benchmark score of 14589, while the Intel Core i5-10400F scores 14185. That puts the AMD part about 2.8% higher overall, and it lands in the 69th percentile of all CPUs versus the Intel chip’s 68th percentile.

Q: Both CPUs have 6 cores and 12 threads. How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.10 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, and a higher boost clock at 4.30 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. The Intel part also carries a much higher TDP of 65 watts versus 15 watts.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it has Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors. The Intel Core i5-10400F has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F wins decisively, scoring 10283 versus 7186 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U. That is a 30.1% advantage for Intel in that workload.

Q: Are there any workloads where the AMD chip wins by a large margin?

A: Yes, in PassMark data encryption the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U scores 10405 versus 4100 for Intel, a 153.8% advantage. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 20.4% and single-core by 21.2%.

Q: Which processor was released earlier?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F was released on 2020-04-29, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U came later on 2021-01-11.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Lucienne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-10400F uses the Comet Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process, and the database does not list its transistor count or die size.

Both chips have 6 cores and 12 threads, but their cache layouts differ. Each has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD part has 512 KB of L2 per core while Intel has only 256 KB per core. For L3, Intel provides 12 MB shared, while AMD offers 8 MB shared. That gives Intel a larger last-level cache, but AMD has more L2 per core.

Memory support shows both on DDR4 with dual-channel buses, but the bandwidth differs. AMD lists 51.2 GB/s, while Intel has 42.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ: AMD provides Gen 3 with 12 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The sockets are entirely different: AMD uses Socket FP6 (mobile), while Intel uses Socket 1200 (desktop). This reflects their market segments: the 5500U is a mobile part, the 10400F is a desktop part. The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while Intel has none. The process node gap is significant: 7 nm versus 14 nm, which explains the power disparity: 15 watts versus 65 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split. The Intel Core i5-10400F wins 16 of the 23 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U wins 7. But the margin and direction vary strongly by workload type.

Intel’s biggest wins come in heavy multi-threaded and modern rendering tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel leads by 30.1% (10283 versus 7186). In 3DMark 16-thread, Intel wins by 21.2% (4748 versus 3741). In 3DMark max-threads, Intel wins by 23.1% (4735 versus 3643). Geekbench multi-core shows Intel ahead by 20.6% (6257 versus 4965). The 3DMark 8-thread test gives Intel a 17.1% edge (3929 versus 3259).

Intel also wins single-thread tests, though by smaller margins. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel ahead by 19.2% (1451 versus 1172). Geekbench single-core gives Intel a 9% edge (1420 versus 1292). PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 2541 versus 2419, a 4.8% lead. 3DMark single-thread is nearly tied at 688 versus 684, still an Intel win by 0.6%.

AMD’s wins are concentrated in older rendering workloads and specific math operations. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to AMD by 20.4% (1247 versus 1036), and R15 single-core by 21.2% (177 versus 146). PassMark data encryption is AMD’s largest win at 153.8% (10405 versus 4100). PassMark integer math favors AMD by 9.1% (45258 versus 41471). PassMark multithread gives AMD a 5.9% edge (12831 versus 12115). PassMark floating-point math is essentially tied, AMD ahead by 0.3% (26029 versus 25956). The 3DMark 2-thread test also goes to AMD by 0.3% (1354 versus 1350).

Other Intel wins include PassMark extended instructions by 13.3%, PassMark random string sorting by 17.9%, PassMark physics by 23.4%, PassMark find prime numbers by 25.7%, PassMark data compression by 6.1%, and 3DMark 4-thread by 4.5%.

The Verdict

The data points to two different use cases. The Intel Core i5-10400F is the stronger performer in modern multi-core workloads, especially Cinebench R23, Geekbench, and 3DMark threaded tests. Its higher boost clock and larger L3 cache likely contribute to those wins. Any workload that scales with current-generation rendering or productivity tools will favor Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U wins in older Cinebench R15 tests and in specific math and encryption tasks. Its higher memory bandwidth and larger L2 cache per core may explain the integer math and encryption advantages. The AMD chip also carries integrated graphics, making it a complete package for a mobile system, while Intel requires a separate GPU.

For a desktop build with a discrete graphics card, the Intel Core i5-10400F delivers better raw performance in most measured benchmarks. For a mobile laptop where power efficiency matters (15 watts versus 65 watts) and integrated graphics are needed, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U is the only viable choice between these two. The average benchmark scores are close (14589 versus 14185), but the distribution of wins favors Intel in more tests.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Comet Lake |

| Codename | Lucienne | Comet Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | Not listed |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 1200 |

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

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

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 12 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 448SP | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U wins in exactly 7 of the 23 head-to-head tests. Its victories cluster in older Cinebench R15 workloads, PassMark integer math, floating-point math, multithread, data encryption, and the 3DMark 2-thread test. The encryption win is enormous at 153.8%, suggesting strong cryptographic acceleration. The integer math advantage of 9.1% and the multithread advantage of 5.9% indicate solid general-purpose compute. This chip also wins in the 3DMark 2-thread test by a hair, 0.3%, showing near-parity in light-threaded scenarios.

The Intel Core i5-10400F wins 16 tests, covering all 3DMark tests except 2-thread, all Geekbench tests, Cinebench R23 both multi-core and single-core, and several PassMark subtests. Its largest wins exceed 20% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 3DMark 16-thread, 3DMark max-threads, and Geekbench multi-core. It also dominates in PassMark physics, find prime numbers, and random string sorting. The pattern is clear: Intel wins modern rendering, physics, and sustained multi-threaded performance, while AMD wins encryption, older rendering, and certain math operations.

For machine learning or physics simulation, the Intel chip’s PassMark physics score of 696 versus 533 gives it a 23.4% edge. For compression work, Intel’s data compression score of 185944 versus 174584 gives a 6.1% lead. For extended instruction sets, Intel leads by 13.3%. The only areas where AMD shows clear superiority are encryption and Cinebench R15, which may reflect different instruction scheduling or memory latency characteristics. Overall, the Intel chip is the stronger all-rounder in this comparison, while the AMD chip excels in specific niches and offers the integrated graphics and power efficiency that Intel lacks entirely.