AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U was released in 2017, while the Intel Core i7-4712HQ came out in 2014. The AMD part is still listed as Active in production status, whereas the Intel chip is End-of-life.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The difference lies in architecture and clock speeds, not in the number of physical cores.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U boosts up to 3.80 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-4712HQ's 3.30 GHz boost. However, the Intel chip has a higher base clock at 2.30 GHz versus 2.20 GHz for AMD.

Q: Which processor draws less power according to TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has a 15 W TDP, significantly lower than Intel's 37 W TDP. This makes the AMD part more suitable for thinner, cooler-running laptops.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. AMD's memory support is newer and offers a higher bandwidth figure.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ is built on a 22 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The smaller node is generally associated with better efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-4712HQ and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U come from entirely different design eras and philosophies. Intel's chip uses the Haswell microarchitecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It integrates 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. AMD's Ryzen 7 2700U uses the Zen architecture (codenamed Raven Ridge), fabricated on a 14 nm node by GlobalFoundries, with a much larger 4,950 million transistor count on a 210 mm² die. The transistor count difference is substantial: AMD packs over three times as many transistors into a die that is only about 19% larger by area.

Cache layouts differ as well. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3. AMD gives each core 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, but only 4 MB of shared L3. So Intel has more L3 cache overall, while AMD has more per-core L1 and L2 capacity. The L3 deficit for AMD is notable, though the Zen architecture's design partially compensates with higher per-core throughput in single-threaded tests.

The integrated graphics also separate the two. Intel pairs the i7-4712HQ with HD 4600 graphics. AMD's Ryzen 7 2700U includes Radeon RX Vega 10. Both are meant for mobile systems, but the Vega part is a more modern GPU design. Memory support follows the generational split: Intel uses DDR3 on a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while AMD uses DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe lane counts differ too. The Intel chip provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This means the Intel chip has more available PCIe connectivity, which can matter for discrete GPUs or multiple NVMe drives. The AMD part is clearly aimed at a lower-power, integrated-centric mobile design.

Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither is meant for overclocking. The sockets are also incompatible at the hardware level: Intel uses BGA 1364 and AMD uses Socket FP5. The AMD chip belongs to the 2000 series family, marking it as part of AMD's Ryzen 2000 mobile lineup. Intel's part number is SR1PZ, while AMD's is YM2700U's part number YM2700C4T4MFB. The AMD part number YM2700C4T4MFB is the listed part number for the Ryzen 7 2700U in the database.

The production status tells a clear story: Intel's Haswell mobile chip is End-of-life, while AMD's Raven Ridge is Active. The release dates confirm this, with Intel launching in 2014 and AMD in 2017. The architecture gap means the AMD chip benefits from years of design improvements in throughput per clock and power efficiency.

The Verdict

The data paints a split picture. In older Cinebench R15 tests, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U dominates. It wins multi-core with 644 versus 454, a 29.5% margin. The single-core R15 result is even more dramatic: AMD scores 143.5 against Intel's 64, a 55.4% difference. These are huge leads for AMD in that benchmark generation.

But in newer Cinebench R23, the tables turn. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ wins multi-core with 4512 versus 3603, a 25.2% lead. AMD still wins single-core in R23 with 886 versus 637, a 28.1% margin. Geekbench results favor Intel in both single and multi-core: 923 versus 804 (14.8% single-core) and 2734 versus 2411 (13.4% multi-core).

Who should pick which? Users running Cinebench R23 multi-threaded workloads should favor Intel, as it has a clear lead there. Users who rely on Geekbench for single-threaded performance should also favor Intel, since it wins both Geekbench metrics. But users running Cinebench R15, particularly single-core tests, should favor AMD by a wide margin. The AMD chip also offers much lower TDP at 15 W versus 37 W, making it the better choice for battery-conscious mobile designs.

The overall benchmark average is close: Intel's avgBenchmarkScore is 1436, AMD's is 1415, a difference of about 1.5%. Both CPUs sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database. This is essentially a tie in aggregate performance, but the distribution of wins matters. AMD wins three head-to-head benchmarks, Intel wins three as well. The choice comes down to workload and power constraints, not raw overall performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4712HQ | AMD Ryzen 7 2700U |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen (Raven Ridge) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 210 mm² |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 37 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | AMD Socket FP5 |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Radeon RX Vega 10 |

| Release Date | 2014-03-31 | 2017-10-25 |

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

| Launch MSRP | $378 | null |

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, dual-channel memory buses, no ECC support, and locked multipliers. The AMD part has a higher boost clock, much lower TDP, and newer memory technology. Intel has more PCIe lanes and more L3 cache. The Intel chip has a lower launch MSRP of $378, while AMD's launch price is not recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a benchmark-dependent rivalry. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD wins decisively: 644 versus 454, a delta of 29.5% in AMD's favor. That is a massive gap in a multi-threaded workload, and it suggests AMD's Zen architecture extracts far more throughput per clock in this test. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: AMD scores 143.5 against Intel's 64, a 55.4% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison, and it indicates the Intel Haswell core is at a severe disadvantage in this older Cinebench version's single-threaded path.

Cinebench R23 flips the script. Intel wins multi-core with 4512 versus 3603, a 25.2% lead. This is a substantial reversal from R15. The R23 test likely scales better with Intel's architecture or memory subsystem, or the test's threading model favors Intel's layout differently. AMD wins single-core in R23 with 886 versus 637, a 28.1% margin, but that is smaller than its R15 single-core lead. So AMD still leads in single-core throughout, but the margin shrinks from 55.4% to 28.1% between benchmark versions.

Geekbench results favor Intel across the board. In single-core, Intel scores 923 versus AMD's 804, a 14.8% lead. In multi-core, Intel scores 2734 versus AMD's 2411, a 13.4% lead. These are modest but consistent advantages for Intel. The Geekbench numbers suggest that Intel's Haswell core, despite its age, can still outperform AMD's Zen core in standardized synthetic workloads.

The aggregate picture shows 3 wins for Intel and 3 wins for AMD. Intel's wins are in Geekbench (both) and Cinebench R23 multi-core. AMD's wins are in Cinebench R15 (both) and Cinebench R23 single-core. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: Intel at 1436 and AMD at 1415, with AMD's nearest rival list including chips like the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G at 1439 (a 0.2% delta) and Intel Core i7-2600K at 1433 (a 0.2% delta). AMD's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 at 1415 (0% delta) and Intel Core i5-4460 at 1415 (0% delta). Both chips sit at the 37th percentile, meaning they are statistically indistinguishable in aggregate terms.

The big takeaway is that benchmark choice matters enormously for this comparison. Older Cinebench R15 tests heavily favor AMD, especially in single-core. Newer Cinebench R23 multi-core heavily favors Intel. Geekbench consistently favors Intel. The data shows no single winner across all workloads, which is unusual for a head-to-head comparison. The AMD chip's higher boost clock and newer architecture help it in single-threaded tests, while Intel's larger L3 cache and higher PCIe lane count may contribute to its Geekbench and R23 multi-core wins. The two chips are effectively tied in average performance, with the tie broken only by specific test selection and power requirements.