AMD Ryzen 7 4700G vs Intel Core i9-9820X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture across all six Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i9-9820X wins every single head-to-head matchup, though the margins are uniformly narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel part scores 1759 against the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G's 1724, a 2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 248 versus 243, a 2.1% lead for Intel. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i9-9820X posts 7332 multicore and 1034 single-core, while the Ryzen 7 4700G manages 7186 and 1014 respectively, both good for a 2% delta. The most recent Cinebench R23 results follow the same trend: the Intel chip scores 17459 multicore and 2464 single-core, outperforming the AMD part's 17111 and 2415 by exactly 2% in each case.

What stands out here is the consistency. The Intel Core i9-9820X does not just edge ahead in one workload; it maintains a steady 2% to 2.1% lead across every generation of the Cinebench suite, from the older R15 to the current R23. That suggests a fundamental, if modest, performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Ryzen 7 4700G, despite having fewer cores and a lower TDP, stays within striking distance throughout. In absolute terms, the differences are small: 35 points in R15 multicore, 146 points in R20 multicore, and 348 points in R23 multicore. Single-core deltas are even tighter, with just 5 points separating the two in R15 and 49 points in R23.

The average benchmark scores in the database confirm this close relationship. The Core i9-9820X holds an average score of 5049, placing it in the 60th percentile of all CPUs tracked. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-12900TE at 5050 (a 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE at 5070 (-0.4%). The Ryzen 7 4700G, meanwhile, averages 4949, sitting in the 59th percentile. Its closest competitors are the Intel Xeon W-1290 at 4932 (0.3% delta) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C48 at 4967 (-0.4%). The two processors in this comparison are separated by just 100 points in average score, a 2% gap that mirrors the head-to-head results.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i9-9820X is built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, using the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-X codename. It belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 9th Generation lineup. This is a high-end desktop part with 10 cores and 20 threads, running at a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The chip has a TDP of 165 watts and uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform. Cache hierarchy is generous: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16.5 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support covers DDR4 with a quad-channel bus, delivering 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The CPU provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and has no integrated graphics. It was released in October 2018 and is now marked as end-of-life.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G takes a completely different approach. It uses a 7 nm process fabricated by TSMC, with the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename. This is a 4000 series desktop part with 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clock is higher at 3.60 GHz, and boost reaches 4.40 GHz. The TDP is dramatically lower at 65 watts, and it fits the AMD Socket AM4. The chip packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die. Cache is smaller: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3. Memory support uses a dual-channel DDR4 bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Crucially, it includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the Intel part lacks entirely. The 4700G was released in July 2020 and remains active in production.

These architectural choices explain the performance parity despite different core counts. The Intel chip leverages 10 cores and 20 threads plus a larger L3 cache and quad-channel memory, but it does so at a 165-watt TDP. The AMD chip counters with a smaller 7 nm process, higher clocks, and a far more efficient 65-watt envelope. The Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads are compensated by its superior boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, narrowing the multi-core gap. The process node advantage also shows in transistor density: 9,800 million transistors in 156 mm² versus the Intel part's unspecified count on a much larger, older 14 nm node.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear, if narrow, winner for raw compute performance. The Intel Core i9-9820X takes all six benchmark victories, with a consistent 2% edge in every Cinebench test. For workloads that rely heavily on multi-threaded rendering, the i9-9820X delivers 1759 versus 1724 in R15, 7332 versus 7186 in R20, and 17459 versus 17111 in R23. Single-threaded tasks also favor Intel, with leads of 2.1% in R15 and 2% in both R20 and R23. If the sole criterion is benchmark score, the Intel part is the pick.

However, the Ryzen 7 4700G presents a compelling alternative when the full picture is considered. Its 65-watt TDP is less than half of the Intel chip's 165 watts, making it dramatically more efficient per unit of performance. The AMD processor also includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.60 GHz and 4.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz and 4.20 GHz) keep it within 2% of the Intel part despite having two fewer cores. The 4700G is also an active production part, while the i9-9820X is end-of-life.

For users building a new system today, the Ryzen 7 4700G offers nearly identical Cinebench scores with far lower power draw and built-in graphics. The Intel Core i9-9820X, while technically faster, requires a high-end Socket 2066 motherboard and a discrete GPU. The benchmark database shows the average scores are only 100 points apart (5049 versus 4949), a margin that most real-world applications would not notice. The Intel part's 44 PCIe lanes and quad-channel memory may appeal to specific workstation scenarios, but the AMD chip's efficiency and integrated graphics make it the more practical choice for most desktop builds.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-9820X | AMD Ryzen 7 4700G |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 165 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 156 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16.5 MB (shared) | 8 MB |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 44 (Gen 3) | 16 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 8 |

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

| Launch MSRP | $889 | Not specified |

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i9-9820X wins with a score of 17459, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G's 17111, a 2% advantage.

Q: Is the single-core performance difference significant?

A: No, the gap is minimal. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 2464 versus AMD's 2415, a 2% delta. The R15 single-core test shows a 2.1% lead for Intel (248 versus 243).

Q: Which chip has a lower power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i9-9820X is rated at 165 watts. The AMD part uses less than half the power budget.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The Intel Core i9-9820X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-9820X averages 5049 across all benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4700G averages 4949. Both sit near the 59th to 60th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The Intel Core i9-9820X supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700G uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.