AMD Ryzen 7 4700U vs Intel Core i7-5930K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a split decision between the Intel Core i7-5930K and the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U, with each processor taking three benchmark wins. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U dominates in the Cinebench R15 tests. In the multicore run, the Ryzen scores 1094.5 against the Intel's 886, a 19% advantage for the AMD part. The single-core gap is even wider: the Ryzen posts 180 versus the Intel's 125, a 30.6% deficit for the i7-5930K. These are substantial margins, especially in single-threaded performance where the architectural age of the Haswell design becomes apparent.

The Intel Core i7-5930K fights back in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. In the multicore benchmark, Intel scores 8791 against AMD's 7378, a 19.2% lead. The single-core R23 result is much closer, with Intel at 1241 and AMD at 1220.5, a slim 1.7% edge for the i7. This reversal between R15 and R23 is notable, suggesting that the newer workload scaling favors the Intel chip's higher thread count and larger cache in multi-core scenarios.

Geekbench results further split the pair. The Intel wins the multicore test with 5715 against 5189, a 10.1% advantage. The AMD takes the single-core Geekbench run with 1268 versus 1225, a 3.4% margin. The single-core results are consistently close in Geekbench and R23, while the R15 single-core test shows an outlier-level gap of 30.6%, likely reflecting differences in how the older benchmark interacts with the two architectures.

The overall average benchmark scores place the Intel i7-5930K at 2775 and the Ryzen 7 4700U at 2722. The Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G at 2774 with a 0% delta, the Intel Xeon D-1567 at 2770 with a 0.2% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350GE at 2767 with a 0.3% delta. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 at 2724 with a -0.1% delta, the Intel Core i7-11390H at 2715 with a 0.2% delta, and the Intel Xeon D-1577 also at 2715 with a 0.2% delta. The percentile rankings are nearly identical, with the Intel at the 51st percentile and the AMD at the 50th percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U wins in scenarios that favor high single-thread throughput and efficiency. Its 30.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 3.4% edge in Geekbench single-core indicate that lightly threaded applications, legacy software, and tasks that depend on per-core speed will run noticeably better on the Ryzen. The 19% multicore advantage in Cinebench R15 also suggests that older multi-threaded workloads may favor the AMD, despite its lack of SMT.

The Intel Core i7-5930K wins in modern multi-threaded workloads. Its 19.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 10.1% advantage in Geekbench multicore point to better scaling in contemporary rendering and productivity tasks. The 1.7% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core, while small, shows that the Intel can hold its own in current single-threaded tests despite the older architecture. The Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads give it a thread count advantage that the AMD's 8 cores and 8 threads cannot match in heavily parallel workloads.

For users running recent content creation software, video encoding, or 3D rendering, the Intel's multi-core results in R23 and Geekbench are the stronger indicators. For users with legacy applications, lightweight productivity, or tasks that are sensitive to single-core latency, the AMD's R15 and single-core Geekbench results make it the better fit.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The Intel Core i7-5930K uses the Haswell architecture, specifically Haswell-E, built on a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 2,600 million transistors into a 356 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It contains 9,800 million transistors on a much smaller 156 mm² die.

Core and thread configurations differ significantly. The Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD lacks simultaneous multithreading, which means its 8 physical cores operate without logical thread doubling. The Intel's 12 threads provide an advantage in heavily threaded workloads, as the benchmark data confirms.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both have 64 KB L1 per core. The Intel has 256 KB L2 per core, while the AMD has 512 KB L2 per core. The Intel's L3 cache is 15 MB shared, whereas the AMD's is 8 MB shared. The larger L3 on the Intel likely contributes to its multi-core performance in newer benchmarks.

Clock speeds show the AMD's advantage in frequency. The Intel has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 3.70 GHz. The AMD has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost of 4.10 GHz. The AMD's much higher boost clock, combined with the Zen 2 architecture, explains its single-core superiority.

Power and platform differ dramatically. The Intel has a TDP of 140 watts and uses the Intel Socket 2011-3. The AMD has a TDP of 15 watts and uses the AMD Socket FP6. The Intel is a desktop part, while the AMD is a mobile part. The Intel supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD supports dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU; the AMD offers PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified. The AMD includes integrated Radeon Graphics with 448 SPs, while the Intel has no integrated graphics. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD does not. The Intel is end-of-life, released in August 2014, while the AMD is active, released in January 2020.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5930K has an average benchmark score of 2775, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U has 2722, a difference of 53 points.

Q: Why does the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U win the Cinebench R15 single-core test by such a large margin?

A: The AMD scores 180 against the Intel's 125, a 30.6% advantage. The AMD's boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to the Intel's 3.70 GHz, and the newer Zen 2 architecture contribute to this gap.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-5930K have more threads than the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U?

A: Yes, the Intel has 12 threads from 6 cores, while the AMD has 8 threads from 8 cores. The AMD does not support simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-5930K has 15 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel is built on a 22 nm process, while the AMD is built on a 7 nm process. The AMD also uses TSMC as its foundry, whereas Intel uses its own foundry.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, only the Intel Core i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5930K | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Haswell-E | Renoir |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 156 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 15 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Graphics 448SP |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2014-08-31 | 2020-01-05 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR20R | 100-000000083 |

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload and platform priorities. The Intel Core i7-5930K should be chosen for modern multi-threaded tasks. Its 19.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 10.1% lead in Geekbench multicore demonstrate superior scaling in contemporary rendering and productivity software. The larger 15 MB L3 cache and 12 threads enable this advantage. The Intel's quad-channel memory support with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth also provides a wider memory pipeline for data-intensive workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U should be chosen for single-threaded performance and efficiency. Its 30.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 3.4% lead in Geekbench single-core make it the better option for legacy applications and lightly threaded tasks. The 15 W TDP, compared to the Intel's 140 W, makes it dramatically more power-efficient, and the integrated Radeon Graphics 448SP adds display capability without a discrete GPU. The AMD's 7 nm process and smaller 156 mm² die also reflect a more modern manufacturing approach.

The overall average scores are close, with the Intel at 2775 and the AMD at 2722, and their percentile rankings are nearly identical at 51 and 50 respectively. Neither processor is a clear overall winner. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes multi-core throughput in recent benchmarks, favoring the Intel, or single-core responsiveness and battery-friendly operation in a mobile form factor, favoring the AMD. The Intel's desktop socket and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes suit a stationary high-throughput workstation, while the AMD's FP6 socket and mobile segment fit portable systems. The Intel is end-of-life, while the AMD remains active, which may influence long-term availability and platform support.