AMD Ryzen 5 7400 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus occupy different tiers in the desktop processor lineup, and the benchmark data reflects a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel part, with its 24 cores and higher boost clock, dominates every recorded test in the database. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400, a 6-core Zen 4 design, posts respectable scores but trails by wide margins across the board. The following analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, the use-case implications, and the architectural and specification differences that explain the gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons, and the margins are substantial. The smallest delta appears in single-threaded workloads, where the Intel chip scores 5,068 against the AMD’s 3,248, a difference of 35.9%. This is still a significant lead, but it is the closest contest in the entire dataset. The single-thread result suggests that Intel’s 5.50 GHz boost clock and newer architecture carry a meaningful per-core advantage, though the AMD part is not completely outclassed in lightly threaded tasks.

The largest gap occurs in the prime number search test, where Intel scores 615 versus AMD’s 79, a 87.2% difference. This workload is highly sensitive to integer execution and cache behavior, and the Intel processor’s larger L2 and L3 caches, combined with its core count, produce an overwhelming advantage. Floating-point math also shows a massive spread: Intel scores 229,491, AMD scores 40,784, a 82.2% delta. This indicates that the Intel part not only has more cores but also delivers superior per-core floating-point throughput.

Data compression and encryption tests further illustrate the divide. In data compression, Intel records 804,322 points, AMD 261,749, a 67.5% gap. In encryption, Intel scores 59,097, AMD 14,865, a 74.8% difference. These results reflect the combined effect of core count, clock speed, and memory bandwidth. The Intel processor’s 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth versus AMD’s 83.2 GB/s likely contributes to the compression and encryption wins, as these workloads often saturate memory channels.

Multithreaded performance follows the same pattern. Intel scores 68,574 in the multithread test, AMD 21,712, a 68.3% delta. The physics test shows a 71.7% gap (4,064 versus 1,150), and integer math shows a 63.2% difference (175,986 versus 64,733). Extended instructions and random string sorting complete the sweep, with Intel leading by 68.6% and 67.9% respectively. No benchmark in the database favors the AMD Ryzen 5 7400, so the data presents a straightforward picture: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is faster in every measured scenario.

Where Each One Wins

Given that the Intel part wins every benchmark, the use-case split is defined by the magnitude of the lead rather than by any AMD victories. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear choice for any workload that leverages multiple cores. Rendering, simulation, scientific computing, and heavy data processing will benefit disproportionately from the 24-core configuration. The compression, encryption, and floating-point results, where Intel leads by 67% to 82%, indicate that content creation and analytical tasks will see the largest gains.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400, while trailing, is not without a role. Its single-thread score of 3,248 is within 35.9% of the Intel part, which is the narrowest margin in the dataset. For everyday desktop use, general productivity, and lighter applications that rely on a few fast cores, the AMD processor can still deliver adequate performance. The 65 W TDP also suggests lower power draw, though the database does not record power consumption figures directly. The AMD part’s integrated Radeon Graphics may be sufficient for basic display output, whereas Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, which is a more capable integrated solution on paper.

The data implies that the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 is suited for users who prioritize platform simplicity or low-power operation, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is suited for users who demand maximum throughput in parallel workloads. The 88th percentile ranking of the AMD part versus the 96th percentile of the Intel part reinforces this distinction. The AMD processor sits above most CPUs in the database, but the Intel processor sits near the top.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 in every recorded test, with deltas ranging from 35.9% in single-thread to 87.2% in prime number search. The Intel part’s average benchmark score of 93,785 is more than double the AMD’s 42,055, and its nearest rivals include server-class EPYC and Xeon processors, whereas the AMD’s rivals are mid-range desktop and mobile chips. The Intel processor also enters the database with a launch MSRP of $299, a figure that can be stated once for reference.

For users who prioritize raw performance, particularly in multi-threaded applications, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the superior choice by a wide margin. The data shows no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 leads. The single-thread gap, while the smallest, is still large enough to favor Intel in most general-purpose tasks. The AMD part remains a functional desktop processor for basic workloads, but the recorded measurements provide no evidence that it competes with the Intel flagship in this comparison. The verdict from the database is clear: choose Intel for performance, and choose AMD only if the workload is light and the platform differences (socket, TDP, graphics) are decisive factors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 5,068 in the single-thread test, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 7400’s 3,248, a 35.9% advantage.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in the find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 615 versus AMD’s 79, a 87.2% difference.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins 11 benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 wins none in the head-to-head dataset.

Q: What is the AMD Ryzen 5 7400’s average benchmark score?

A: The AMD part has an average benchmark score of 42,055, while the Intel part averages 93,785.

Q: Does the Intel processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports ECC memory, as does the AMD Ryzen 5 7400.

Q: What is the socket type for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 uses the Zen 4 architecture with the codename Raphael, fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It packs 6,570 million transistors into a 71 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, fabricated on a 3 nm process, also by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Intel part’s transistor count is nearly three times higher, and its die size is more than three times larger.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache hierarchy, combined with the higher core count, explains much of the Intel processor’s lead in cache-sensitive workloads like prime number search and random string sorting.

Memory support is similar in type (DDR5, dual-channel), but the bandwidth differs: Intel records 115.2 GB/s versus AMD’s 83.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe capabilities also differ, with AMD offering Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only) and Intel offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Both processors have unlocked multipliers.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for AMD and 3.70 GHz for Intel, with boost clocks of 4.30 GHz and 5.50 GHz respectively. The TDP is 65 W for AMD and 125 W for Intel.

The process node is 5 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel, with transistor counts of 6,570 million and 17,800 million, and die sizes of 71 mm² and 243 mm². Cache sizes differ across all levels: L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB per core for Intel, L2 is 1 MB per core versus 3 MB per core, and L3 is 16 MB shared versus 36 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD and 115.2 GB/s for Intel. PCIe lanes are 24 for AMD and 20 for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics for AMD and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for Intel. Release dates are 2025-09-15 for AMD and 2026-03-10 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $299, while the AMD part has no recorded MSRP. The part numbers are 100-000001900 for AMD and SA4V6 for Intel.