AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U vs Intel Core i7-9700E Comparison

The Intel Core i7-9700E and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U present a fascinating split decision in benchmark results. With three wins apiece across six head-to-head tests, the data reveals two processors optimized for entirely different workloads. The Intel part, a desktop Coffee Lake chip with a 65W TDP, dominates the newer Cinebench R23 suite, while the AMD mobile processor, based on Zen 3 with a 15W TDP, takes the older R15 tests and edges out a narrow Geekbench multicore victory. The average benchmark scores are remarkably close at 3197 for Intel and 3159 for AMD, placing both at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs, yet the performance distribution could not be more distinct.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in any test belongs to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 227 against the Intel’s 150, a 33.9% advantage. This is a substantial gap in a test that typically reflects per-core efficiency and IPC. The AMD chip repeats this pattern in R15 multi-core, posting 1467 versus 1069, a 27.1% lead. These results are particularly striking given that the Intel part has a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz compared to the AMD’s 1.90 GHz; the Zen 3 architecture is clearly extracting more work per clock in this older rendering workload.

The tables turn dramatically in Cinebench R23. The Intel Core i7-9700E scores 10613 in multi-core, which is 21.8% ahead of the AMD’s 8716. This is a significant reversal that suggests the R23 test scales differently with sustained power delivery. The Intel desktop chip, with its 65W TDP, can maintain higher clocks over longer durations, whereas the AMD mobile part, constrained to 15W, appears to throttle or reduce boost behavior in this more demanding workload. In R23 single-core, the Intel also wins, scoring 1498 against 1405, a 6.6% margin, though this is far narrower than the R15 single-core deficit.

The Geekbench results are nearly tied, which adds nuance to the overall picture. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U wins by a hair, scoring 5696 against the Intel’s 5661, a delta of just 0.6%. This is essentially a statistical dead heat, despite the AMD having 16 threads against the Intel’s 8. However, in Geekbench single-core, the Intel pulls ahead with 1497 versus 1442, a 3.8% advantage. These mixed results indicate that the two chips have very different performance profiles depending on whether the workload favors raw thread count (AMD’s SMT advantage in Geekbench multicore) or per-core turbo behavior (Intel’s higher base clock and desktop power envelope).

It is notably the nearest rivals for each CPU further contextualize these scores. The Intel Core i7-9700E sits within 0.6% of the Intel Atom P5342 (3217 average) and Intel Core i5-1240P (3202), showing that its overall average is competitive with a range of modern chips. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U’s closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE at 3160 average, a 0% delta, meaning these two processors have virtually identical aggregate performance despite the Ryzen 7 having double the threads of the Ryzen 3. This data point reinforces that the AMD’s multicore advantage is not always realized in every test.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: pick the Intel Core i7-9700E for sustained multi-core rendering and single-threaded tasks in newer benchmarks, and pick the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U for legacy rendering tests and lightly threaded workloads. The Intel chip wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 21.8% and R23 single-core by 6.6%, which are the most modern and demanding tests in this dataset. It also edges out Geekbench single-core by 3.8%. These wins suggest that the Intel part has superior sustained boost behavior and higher per-core clocks under load, likely due to its desktop-class 65W TDP.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 27.1% and R15 single-core by 33.9%, plus Geekbench multicore by 0.6%. The R15 results are massive margins that cannot be ignored, but they come from an older benchmark suite. The AMD’s 16 threads provide a clear advantage in Geekbench multicore, where it narrowly edges out the Intel despite the Intel’s higher clocks. For workloads that rely on older rendering engines or heavily threaded general-purpose tasks, the AMD is the better performer.

Neither chip has a decisive overall advantage; the split is exactly 3-3. The average benchmark score favors the Intel by 1.2% (3197 vs 3159), but this is within the noise of the nearest rivals. The production status differs, with the Intel marked as end-of-life and the AMD active, which may influence long-term availability. The Intel launched at $323 (stated once as launch MSRP), while the AMD has no listed launch price. From the data alone, a desktop user running modern rendering workloads should choose the Intel, while a mobile or power-sensitive user running older benchmarks or multi-threaded productivity should choose the AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with a die size of 180.3 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U uses Zen 3 (codenamed Cezanne-U) on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. The process node advantage is significant: 7 nm versus 14 nm allows the AMD chip to pack more transistors into a similar die area, which explains its superior power efficiency.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. Both have 8 cores, but the Intel chip has 8 threads (no hyper-threading), while the AMD chip has 16 threads via simultaneous multithreading. This doubles the AMD’s logical thread count, which is the primary driver of its Geekbench multicore win. Cache hierarchies also differ: the Intel has 256 KB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3, while the AMD has 512 KB of L2 per core and 16 MB of shared L3. The AMD’s larger L2 and L3 caches likely contribute to its R15 single-core dominance.

Memory bandwidth is another differentiator. The Intel supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD also uses dual-channel DDR4 but achieves 51.2 GB/s. This 20% bandwidth advantage for the AMD could explain its better performance in memory-sensitive tests. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This makes the Intel more suitable for discrete GPUs or multiple NVMe drives, though neither supports PCIe Gen 4.

Integrated graphics and sockets complete the architectural picture. The Intel integrates UHD Graphics 630 and uses the Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform. The AMD integrates Radeon Vega 8 and uses the AMD Socket FP6, a mobile platform. The Intel’s TDP of 65W versus the AMD’s 15W reflects their market segments: desktop versus mobile. The base clocks are 2.60 GHz for Intel and 1.90 GHz for AMD, but both boost to 4.40 GHz, indicating similar peak single-core capabilities.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700E wins with 1498 against the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U’s 1405, a 6.6% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the AMD in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U scores 1467 versus 1069 for the Intel, making it 27.1% faster in that specific test.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores. However, the Intel has 8 threads while the AMD has 16 threads, giving the AMD double the logical thread count.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U supports 51.2 GB/s, which is 20% higher than the Intel Core i7-9700E’s 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Which chip has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel uses a 14 nm process from Intel. This gives the AMD a significant transistor density advantage.

Q: Are the average benchmark scores similar?

A: Yes, the Intel averages 3197 and the AMD averages 3159, a difference of just 1.2%. Both sit at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-9700E wins in modern rendering workloads and single-threaded tasks. Specifically, it outperforms the AMD in Cinebench R23 multi-core (10613 vs 8716) and single-core (1498 vs 1405), as well as Geekbench single-core (1497 vs 1442). These wins indicate that the Intel is the better choice for current-generation 3D rendering, video encoding, and any application that favors high sustained clocks per core. Its 65W TDP and desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151) make it suitable for desktop builds where power draw is not a primary constraint. The Intel also has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, double the AMD’s 8 lanes, which is advantageous for systems with multiple expansion cards.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U wins in legacy rendering tests and heavily threaded workloads. It dominates Cinebench R15 multi-core (1467 vs 1069) and single-core (227 vs 150), and narrowly takes Geekbench multicore (5696 vs 5661). Its 16 threads provide a clear advantage in threaded productivity, while its 7 nm process and 15W TDP make it extremely power-efficient for a mobile platform (AMD Socket FP6). The larger 16 MB L3 cache and 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth support its strong memory-bound performance. For users running older software based on R15-era engines, or those needing maximum battery life in a thin-and-light laptop, the AMD is the superior option.

The choice ultimately depends on the benchmark generation and the use case. The Intel wins the newer and more demanding tests, while the AMD wins the older and more thread-scalable ones. The data does not support a blanket recommendation; instead, it points to a workload-specific selection.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two CPUs are as follows:

• Threads: Intel has 8 threads; AMD has 16 threads.
• Base Clock: Intel runs at 2.60 GHz; AMD runs at 1.90 GHz.
• TDP: Intel is rated at 65W; AMD is rated at 15W.
• Socket: Intel uses Intel Socket 1151; AMD uses AMD Socket FP6.
• Process Node: Intel uses 14 nm; AMD uses 7 nm.
• Foundry: Intel is fabricated by Intel; AMD is fabricated by TSMC.
• Transistors: Intel does not list a transistor count; AMD has 10,700 million.
• Die Size: Intel measures 180.3 mm²; AMD measures 180 mm².
• L2 Cache: Intel has 256 KB per core; AMD has 512 KB per core.
• L3 Cache: Intel has 12 MB shared; AMD has 16 MB shared.
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel supports 42.7 GB/s; AMD supports 51.2 GB/s.
• PCIe Lanes: Intel provides 16 lanes (Gen 3); AMD provides 8 lanes (Gen 3).
• Integrated Graphics: Intel uses UHD Graphics 630; AMD uses Radeon Vega 8.
• Market Segment: Intel is a Desktop chip; AMD is a Mobile chip.
• Production Status: Intel is end-of-life; AMD is active.
• Release Date: Intel launched on 2019-04-22; AMD launched on 2021-03-15.
• Launch MSRP: Intel is listed at $323; AMD has no listed launch MSRP.