AMD Ryzen 7 2700U vs Intel Core i5-4460 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U and Intel Core i5-4460 present a fascinating statistical dead heat, with both processors landing an identical average benchmark score of 1415 and a 37th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Despite this parity in aggregate performance, the head-to-head benchmark data reveals that these two chips achieve their equal standing through fundamentally different performance profiles, with each dominating in distinct workload categories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking divergence appears in the Cinebench R15 tests, where the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U delivers a decisive victory. In multi-core rendering, the Ryzen 7 2700U scores 644 against the Intel Core i5-4460’s 421, a 53% advantage. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: the AMD part scores 143.5 versus 59 for the Intel chip, a 143.2% delta. These R15 results suggest that in legacy rendering workloads, the Ryzen 7 2700U is operating in a different performance class entirely.

However, the Cinebench R23 results tell a different story. In R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-4460 reverses the outcome, scoring 4188 against the Ryzen 7 2700U’s 3603, a 14% margin in Intel’s favor. The R23 single-core test remains an AMD win, with the Ryzen 7 2700U posting 886 versus 591, a 49.9% advantage. This pattern—AMD winning in R15 and Intel winning in R23 multi-core—indicates that the benchmark generation itself heavily influences which processor appears superior.

The Geekbench results further complicate the picture. The Intel Core i5-4460 wins both Geekbench tests: multi-core at 3035 versus 2411 (a 20.6% delta) and single-core at 1018 versus 804 (a 21% delta). With three wins for each processor across the six head-to-head benchmarks, the overall matchup is perfectly balanced at 3-3, yet the margins of victory are asymmetric. AMD’s wins are often larger in percentage terms, particularly the 143.2% R15 single-core blowout, while Intel’s wins are more consistent but narrower.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,950 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-4460 employs the Haswell architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The transistor count difference is substantial—AMD’s chip contains over 3.5 times more transistors despite being only 33 mm² larger in die area.

Core and thread configurations diverge sharply. Both processors have 4 physical cores, but the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U supports 8 threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel Core i5-4460 is limited to 4 threads. The AMD part also operates at lower clock speeds: 2.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, compared to Intel’s 3.20 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The Intel chip’s higher base clock is offset by a much smaller boost window of only 0.20 GHz, while the AMD part boosts by 1.60 GHz.

Cache hierarchies reveal another key difference. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-4460 uses 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and a larger 6 MB shared L3. Despite having less L3, the AMD chip’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may help compensate in certain workloads. Memory support also differs: the AMD part uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. Both are dual-channel, and neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics present another generational gap. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U features Radeon RX Vega 10, while the Intel Core i5-4460 includes Intel HD 4600. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD chip provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the Intel part offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The market positioning is clear—the Ryzen 7 2700U is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP5 with a 15 W TDP, while the Core i5-4460 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1150 with an 84 W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: Both processors have an identical average benchmark score of 1415, and both rank at the 37th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rival for each is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 with a deltaPct of 0, followed by the Intel Core i7-3840QM at -0.1% and the Intel Core i7-2700K at -0.3%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The results are mixed. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins with 644 versus 421, a 53% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-4460 wins with 4188 versus 3603, a 14% margin. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel chip also wins at 3035 versus 2411, a 20.6% delta.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins in both Cinebench single-core tests: 143.5 versus 59 in R15 (143.2% delta) and 886 versus 591 in R23 (49.9% delta). However, the Intel Core i5-4460 wins Geekbench single-core at 1018 versus 804, a 21% delta.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both have 4 cores. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U supports 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4460 supports 4 threads. This thread advantage likely contributes to the AMD part’s strong R15 multi-core showing.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 has a TDP of 84 W, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U’s 15 W. The AMD part is designed for mobile use, while the Intel chip is a desktop processor.

Q: What is the release date and production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U was released on 2017-10-25 and is marked as Active in production. The Intel Core i5-4460 was released on 2014-05-10 and is marked as End-of-life.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every major specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U has 8 threads versus the Intel Core i5-4460’s 4. Base clocks differ: 2.20 GHz for AMD versus 3.20 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 3.80 GHz and 3.40 GHz respectively. TDP is dramatically different at 15 W versus 84 W. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1150.

Architecture and process node differ: Zen (Raven Ridge) on 14 nm at GlobalFoundries versus Haswell on 22 nm at Intel. Transistor counts are 4,950 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 210 mm² versus 177 mm². Cache allocation differs in L1 (96 KB per core versus 64 KB), L2 (512 KB per core versus 256 KB), and L3 (4 MB shared versus 6 MB shared). Memory support is DDR4 versus DDR3, with bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s.

PCIe configuration differs: 8 lanes versus 16 lanes, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics are Radeon RX Vega 10 versus Intel HD 4600. Market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. Production status is Active versus End-of-life. Release dates are 2017-10-25 versus 2014-05-10. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $187; the AMD part has no launch MSRP listed. The part numbers are YM2700C4T4MFB and SR1QK respectively.

The Verdict

The data presents a genuine toss-up with workload-dependent outcomes. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the clear winner in legacy Cinebench R15 tests, particularly single-core, where its 143.2% advantage over the Intel chip is the largest margin in any benchmark. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 49.9%. The Intel Core i5-4460 counters with wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and both Geekbench tests, showing particular strength in the more modern multi-core benchmark.

The architecture differences explain the split. The AMD part’s 8 threads and larger L1/L2 caches help in certain workloads, while the Intel chip’s higher base clock and larger L3 cache serve it well in others. The identical average score of 1415 confirms that neither processor has an aggregate advantage. The Intel Core i5-4460’s higher 3.20 GHz base clock likely contributes to its Geekbench wins, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U’s 3.80 GHz boost clock and 8 threads drive its Cinebench successes.

The production status difference is notable: the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U remains Active, while the Intel Core i5-4460 is End-of-life. The AMD part’s mobile design with 15 W TDP versus the Intel desktop’s 84 W TDP also suggests different use cases. For users prioritizing legacy rendering performance or running Cinebench R15-based workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the statistical choice. For those working with Cinebench R23 multi-core or Geekbench-based applications, the Intel Core i5-4460 holds the advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700U wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (644 versus 421), Cinebench R15 single-core (143.5 versus 59), and Cinebench R23 single-core (886 versus 591). These wins span both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests, suggesting the AMD part excels in older Cinebench workloads regardless of thread utilization. The 53% R15 multi-core margin and 143.2% R15 single-core margin indicate that the AMD chip has a substantial edge in this benchmark generation. The Ryzen 7 2700U’s 8 threads and 3.80 GHz boost clock likely drive these results.

The Intel Core i5-4460 wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (4188 versus 3603), Geekbench multi-core (3035 versus 2411), and Geekbench single-core (1018 versus 804). These wins cover the more recent Cinebench version and both Geekbench tests. The Intel chip’s margins are 14%, 20.6%, and 21% respectively—smaller than AMD’s largest win but consistent across all three tests. The Intel part’s higher 3.20 GHz base clock and larger 6 MB L3 cache may contribute to these victories.

Use-case selection follows the benchmark wins. For applications similar to Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is the stronger choice. For workloads resembling Cinebench R23 or Geekbench, the Intel Core i5-4460 performs better. The balanced 3-3 win split, combined with identical average scores and percentile rankings, means the choice ultimately depends on which benchmark generation best represents the target workload.