AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U vs Intel Core i7-4600U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U and the Intel Core i7-4600U, with the AMD part dominating multi-threaded workloads while the Intel chip retains a modest single-thread advantage. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U scores 624 against 232 for the Core i7-4600U, a decisive 169% lead. That is not a marginal gap; it is a generational and architectural chasm in parallel performance. The Geekbench multicore result tells a similar story, though less extreme: 2202 versus 1664, a 32.3% advantage for the AMD processor. Both processors run at the same 15 W TDP, so the Ryzen part is delivering its higher throughput within the same power envelope.

The one category where the Intel Core i7-4600U fights back is single-core performance. In Geekbench singlecore, the Intel chip scores 889 against 819 for the AMD, a 7.9% deficit for the Ryzen part. This matters for lightly threaded workloads, where the older Haswell architecture's higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz (versus 3.70 GHz for the AMD, note the Intel actually has a lower boost but still wins here, so clock alone is not the explanation) and its IPC characteristics help it edge ahead. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the AMD scores 142, but the database does not include a direct comparison for that test between the two, so the Geekbench singlecore result stands as the primary head-to-head evidence of Intel's win.

The overall win tally is 2-0 in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U across the three shared benchmark tests, with the Intel part claiming one. The average benchmark score reinforces this: the Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U averages 947, while the Core i7-4600U averages 931. Both sit at the 25th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning neither is a high-flyer in absolute terms, but the Ryzen's higher average score and its dominance in multicore tests make it the stronger all-around performer. The nearest rivals to the AMD chip include the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T (average score 946, a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i3-1110G4 (average score 945, a 0.2% difference), which shows how tightly grouped the Ryzen's performance tier is. The Intel Core i7-4600U, meanwhile, sits near the Intel Core i7-870 (928, 0.3% difference) and the Intel Core i5-4288U (927, 0.4% difference), placing it in a slightly lower performance bracket.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U wins decisively. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 624 versus 232 for the Intel Core i7-4600U, a 169% lead. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD scores 2202 versus 1664, a 32.3% lead.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U wins in the recorded Geekbench singlecore test, scoring 889 against 819 for the AMD, a 7.9% advantage.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i7-4600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD part has double the cores and double the threads.

Q: What are the TDP values for both processors?

A: Both processors are rated at 15 W TDP, making them comparable in power consumption for mobile designs.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U has an average benchmark score of 947. The Intel Core i7-4600U has an average benchmark score of 931.

Q: How does the AMD processor compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U's average score of 947 is just 0.1% ahead of the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T (946) and the Intel Xeon X5560 (946), and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-1110G4 (945). This places it at the 25th percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, using a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i7-4600U uses the older Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell-ULT, on Intel's 22 nm node. The process node gap is significant: 12 nm versus 22 nm, which contributes to the AMD part's ability to pack more transistors into a comparable power envelope. The AMD chip contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel chip has 1,300 million transistors on a 118 mm² die. That is nearly four times the transistor count for the AMD processor, though the die is also nearly twice as large.

The core configuration is the most obvious difference. The Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7-4600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. This explains the multicore performance gap: the AMD part simply has more parallel resources. The cache hierarchy also differs. The AMD processor has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and also 4 MB of shared L3 cache. So the AMD part has more L1 and L2 per core, while the L3 is equal.

Memory support is another differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-4600U supports DDR3 memory, and the database does not list its memory bus or bandwidth. The AMD part also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the Intel part has no PCIe information recorded. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither is multiplier unlocked. The integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD part uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel part uses Intel HD 5000. The socket types are different, with the AMD using AMD Socket FP5 and the Intel using Intel BGA 1168, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system design.

The release dates are far apart. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U was released on April 7, 2019, while the Intel Core i7-4600U was released on August 31, 2013. That is a gap of roughly six years, which explains the architectural advances in the AMD part. The production status of the AMD chip is listed as Active, while the Intel chip's production status is not recorded in the database. The AMD part has a part number (YM350BC4T4MFG), while the Intel part has none recorded.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for most users: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U is the stronger processor overall. Its 169% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 32.3% lead in Geekbench multicore are decisive, and its average benchmark score of 947 is higher than the Intel's 931. For any workload that uses multiple threads, which includes modern productivity applications, content creation, and multitasking, the AMD part is the better choice. The fact that it achieves this within the same 15 W TDP as the Intel part makes it even more compelling for mobile designs where power efficiency is critical.

The Intel Core i7-4600U's only recorded victory is in Geekbench singlecore, where it leads by 7.9%. This gives it an edge in lightly threaded applications, such as older software or single-threaded legacy workloads. Users who prioritize single-thread responsiveness above all else, and who do not need the extra cores, might still find the Intel part acceptable. However, the magnitude of the multicore gap is so large that it is difficult to recommend the Intel chip for any general-purpose use case. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-870 and the Intel Core i5-4288U, both of which score within 0.4% of it, placing it in a crowded mid-low tier. The AMD part, by contrast, sits at the top of its immediate competitive group, with all of its nearest rivals within 0.2% of its score.

For buyers choosing between these two specific parts, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U is the pick for virtually all modern workloads. The Intel Core i7-4600U remains relevant only for niche single-threaded scenarios or legacy system compatibility. The architectural differences, particularly the process node and core count, are the root cause of the performance divide, and they are not something a firmware update or driver change can overcome. The verdict is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U wins on multicore performance, average score, and architectural modernity, while the Intel Core i7-4600U wins only on single-core Geekbench performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U | Intel Core i7-4600U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Architecture | Zen+ | Haswell |

| Codename | Picasso | Haswell-ULT |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | 1,300 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 118 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Intel HD 5000 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Release Date | April 7, 2019 | August 31, 2013 |

| Part Number | YM350BC4T4MFG | Not recorded |