AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE vs Intel Core i7-8086K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8086K and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE are both six-core, twelve-thread desktop processors, yet they deliver strikingly different performance profiles. The benchmark data reveals a fundamental split: the AMD chip dominates Cinebench workloads across the board, while the Intel chip takes a decisive lead in Geekbench tests. This analysis examines the head-to-head results, architectural foundations, and use-case implications to determine which processor is better suited for specific tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant finding is the complete separation of wins by benchmark suite. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE wins all six Cinebench tests, while the Intel Core i7-8086K wins both Geekbench tests. This is not a close contest in either direction; the margins are consistent and substantial.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD chip scores 1314 against Intel's 1206, a margin of 8.2%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: AMD at 185 versus Intel at 170, an 8.1% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD processor extends its lead to 8.2% in multicore (5478 vs 5029) and 8.3% in single-core (773 vs 709). The latest Cinebench R23 results maintain this trend, with AMD winning multicore by 8.2% (13044 vs 11975) and single-core by 8.2% (1841 vs 1690). The consistency of these margins across three Cinebench generations is notable—every test lands between 8.1% and 8.3% in AMD's favor.

The Geekbench results tell a completely different story. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Core i7-8086K scores 7920 compared to AMD's 5710, a massive 38.7% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test also favors Intel, with a score of 1697 against AMD's 1513, a 12.2% lead. This dramatic divergence between benchmark suites suggests that the two processors have fundamentally different optimization targets, with Intel excelling in Geekbench's workload patterns while AMD dominates in Cinebench's rendering tasks.

The overall win count reflects this split: AMD wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, while Intel wins 2. However, the magnitude of Intel's Geekbench wins—particularly the 38.7% multicore margin—partially offsets the frequency of AMD's Cinebench victories. The average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story: Intel averages 3800 across all tests, while AMD averages 3732, a difference of only 1.8%. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are closely matched in overall capability despite their divergent test-specific performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-8086K uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node, manufactured by TSMC. This process advantage likely contributes to AMD's efficiency, as reflected in the thermal design power: Intel draws 95 W while AMD draws only 35 W.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The Intel chip has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, both significantly higher than AMD's 3.30 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. Despite this clock disadvantage, AMD wins all Cinebench tests, suggesting architectural efficiency compensates for lower frequencies. However, Intel's higher clocks may explain its Geekbench dominance.

Cache configurations differ considerably. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but Intel has 256 KB of L2 cache per core compared to AMD's 512 KB per core. The L3 cache is reversed: Intel has 12 MB shared, while AMD has 8 MB shared. AMD's larger L2 cache may benefit certain workloads, while Intel's larger L3 cache could help in others. The AMD chip also features 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, though no comparable figures are available for Intel.

Memory support shows another divergence. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but AMD has a higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel's 42.7 GB/s. AMD also supports ECC memory while Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3 without specifying lane count. Integrated graphics also differ, with Intel's UHD Graphics 630 versus AMD's Radeon Vega 7.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is the clear winner for Cinebench-style workloads, which are representative of 3D rendering and content creation tasks. Its consistent 8.2% lead across all Cinebench tests—single-core and multicore alike—indicates that applications using Cinebench's rendering engine will see reliable performance improvements. The 35 W TDP combined with these results makes it particularly attractive for compact or thermally constrained systems where rendering performance matters.

The Intel Core i7-8086K excels in Geekbench workloads, which often reflect more general-purpose computing tasks including encryption, compression, and physics simulations. The 38.7% multicore advantage in Geekbench is especially pronounced, suggesting that applications with Geekbench-like workload patterns will see dramatic improvements on the Intel platform. The 12.2% single-core Geekbench lead also indicates strong performance in lightly-threaded general applications.

For users prioritizing rendering and content creation, the AMD processor offers consistent, moderate advantages across all Cinebench versions. For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench's test patterns, the Intel processor provides substantial gains, particularly in multi-threaded scenarios. The average benchmark scores suggest these advantages roughly cancel out, but the specific workload determines which processor is superior.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE wins 6 out of 8 tests, with all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both single and multicore) going in its favor.

Q: What is the largest performance margin between the two processors?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i7-8086K scores 7920 versus AMD's 5710, a 38.7% difference in Intel's favor.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-8086K has a 4.00 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has a 3.30 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE has a TDP of 35 W, compared to the Intel Core i7-8086K's 95 W.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8086K does not.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-8086K averages 3800 across all tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE averages 3732.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8086K | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE |

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

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 156 mm² |

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

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

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-06-04 | 2020-07-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $425 | Not specified |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR3QQBX80684I78086K | 100-000000153100-100000153MPK |

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. For rendering and Cinebench-style content creation, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE is the superior processor, delivering an 8.2% performance advantage across all tested Cinebench versions while consuming only 35 W of power compared to Intel's 95 W. Its active production status and ECC memory support also make it a more future-proof option for professional environments.

For Geekbench-style general computing tasks, the Intel Core i7-8086K is the definitive winner, particularly in multicore scenarios where its 38.7% lead is overwhelming. Its higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache likely contribute to this advantage. However, its end-of-life production status and higher TDP are notable drawbacks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—3800 for Intel versus 3732 for AMD—and both sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs. The choice ultimately depends on which benchmark suite better represents the intended workload. Users running rendering applications should select the AMD processor, while those with Geekbench-like general workloads should choose the Intel processor. There is no universal winner; the data supports each processor for distinct use cases.