AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i7-3615QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between generations and workload types. In Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 dominates. In the multicore test, it scores 688 against the Intel Core i7-3615QE's 481, a 43% advantage. The single-core gap is even more dramatic: 133.75 versus 67, a 99.6% difference. This reflects the architectural leap between AMD's Zen design and Intel's older Ivy Bridge core.

However, the picture changes in Cinebench R23. The Intel Core i7-3615QE reverses the multicore result, scoring 4774 against the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985, a 16.5% margin. The single-core result still favors AMD, but by a smaller margin: 832 versus 674, a 23.4% advantage. The database shows the Ryzen 5 1400 wins three of the four head-to-head comparisons, but the one loss is significant because it occurs in the newer, more demanding R23 multicore test.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The Ryzen 5 1400 averages 1410, while the Intel chip averages 1381. These are close numbers, but the Ryzen sits at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, slightly ahead of the Intel part's 36th percentile. The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4460 (1415, a 0.3% deficit) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U (1415, a 0.4% deficit). The Intel's closest competitor is the AMD Opteron 6238 (1383, a 0.1% deficit), which is a server-class part from a much earlier era.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the clear winner for single-threaded responsiveness across both benchmark versions. Its R15 single-core score of 133.75 is nearly double the Intel's 67, and its R23 single-core score of 832 beats the Intel's 674 by 23.4%. For everyday tasks that rely on one or two cores, the data strongly favors AMD.

The Ryzen also wins in the older R15 multicore test. This suggests that for software optimized for that benchmark generation, the Ryzen's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, and its boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, provide a meaningful edge.

The Intel Core i7-3615QE wins in the R23 multicore test. This is noteworthy because it is the only benchmark where the Intel part outperforms AMD, and it is the most recent test in the database. The Intel chip's 4774 score versus 3985 indicates that in heavily threaded, modern workloads, the older Ivy Bridge architecture can still hold its own, likely due to different thermal and power management characteristics.

For users running older software or single-threaded applications, the Ryzen 5 1400 is the stronger choice. For users running the latest multi-threaded rendering or encoding workloads, the Intel part's R23 result suggests it should not be dismissed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 scores 832, which is 23.4% higher than the Intel Core i7-3615QE's 674.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 1400 in Cinebench R15 multicore?

A: The Ryzen scores 688 versus 481 for the Intel, a 43% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-3615QE win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test, scoring 4774 against the Ryzen's 3985, a 16.5% margin.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 averages 1410, compared to 1381 for the Intel Core i7-3615QE.

Q: What is the percentile ranking difference between the two?

A: The Ryzen 5 1400 sits at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i7-3615QE sits at the 36th percentile.

Q: In the R15 single-core test, what is the exact score gap?

A: The Ryzen scores 133.75 and the Intel scores 67, which translates to a 99.6% difference in favor of the AMD part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Intel Core i7-3615QE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

The thermal design power differs substantially. The AMD part is rated at 65 watts, while the Intel part is rated at 45 watts. This makes the Intel chip more power-efficient on paper, which may explain its competitive R23 multicore result despite lower clock speeds.

The socket and market segment are completely different. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4 and is a desktop processor. The Intel uses Intel BGA 1023 and is a mobile processor. This means they are not interchangeable in any system.

The Ryzen supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Intel's memory support is not recorded in the database, but it also uses a dual-channel bus. The Ryzen supports ECC memory; the Intel does not.

The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel does not. The Ryzen's part number is YD1400BBM4KAEYD1400BBAEBOX, and the Intel's is SR0NC.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap is generational. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is built on the Zen architecture (codename Summit Ridge) from the 1000 series, using a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It contains 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-3615QE uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, a 22 nm process at Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen's larger cache hierarchy is consistent with its single-core performance advantages.

The Ryzen has no integrated graphics. The Intel includes Intel HD 4000. For a desktop user with a discrete GPU, this is irrelevant; for a mobile system, the integrated graphics provide a baseline display output.

The Ryzen's PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel's PCIe support is not recorded in the database. The Ryzen's release date is April 2017, while the Intel's is April 2012. The Ryzen's launch MSRP is $169; the Intel's launch MSRP is not recorded.

The Intel's production status is not recorded, while the Ryzen is listed as Active. The Intel's series field is null, while the Ryzen belongs to the 1000 series.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation for most users: the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the better processor for general use. It wins three of four head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average score (1410 versus 1381), and a higher percentile ranking (37th versus 36th). Its single-core performance is decisively better in both R15 and R23, and its R15 multicore result is 43% ahead.

The Intel Core i7-3615QE is the better choice only for a narrow scenario: modern, heavily multi-threaded workloads as measured by Cinebench R23 multicore. Its 4774 score beats the Ryzen by 16.5%, and its lower 45-watt TDP makes it more suitable for constrained thermal environments. However, this comes with a major caveat: it is a mobile part on a BGA socket, so it cannot be used in a standard desktop build.

For a desktop user building a system today, the Ryzen 5 1400 offers a better balance of single-thread speed, older multi-thread performance, and modern platform support (AM4, DDR4, PCIe Gen 3). The Intel part's single R23 win does not compensate for its 99.6% single-core deficit in R15, its 23.4% single-core deficit in R23, or its lower average score.

The database shows the Ryzen 5 1400 sits among rivals like the Intel Core i5-4460 and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U, all within a 0.4% band. The Intel Core i7-3615QE sits among server-class Opteron parts and Ryzen 3 PRO chips, also within a narrow band. Both are mid-pack processors, but the Ryzen is the stronger entry in this particular comparison.

The verdict is straightforward: choose the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 for a desktop system with a discrete GPU, especially if you value single-thread speed and a modern socket. Choose the Intel Core i7-3615QE only if you are constrained to a mobile platform and must maximize multi-threaded throughput in the latest Cinebench R23 workloads, accepting its older architecture and integrated graphics as trade-offs.