AMD Ryzen 5 4500U

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U is a 6-core, 6-thread mobile processor from the 4000 series, built on TSMC's 7 nm process with the Zen 2 (Renoir) architecture. It runs at a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz within a 15 W TDP. In the aggregate benchmark index, it sits at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2647. That places it marginally ahead of several desktop-class Intel parts, despite its low-power mobile design.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Ryzen 5 4500U presents an interesting split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, it scores 1292 points in single-core and 9151 in multi-core. The multi-core figure is roughly seven times the single-core result, a scaling factor that reflects the six physical cores working in parallel. However, the chip does not support simultaneous multithreading (SMT) — it has exactly six threads for six cores. This means that workloads which can utilize more than six threads will not benefit from logical core doubling, and the multi-thread score is entirely a product of physical core count and clock behavior.

The single-thread scores are modest for a modern processor: 130 in Cinebench R15, 542 in R20, and 1292 in R23. These numbers indicate that the 4500U handles lightly threaded tasks such as web browsing, office document editing, and general system responsiveness adequately, but it will not lead the pack in latency-sensitive applications that rely on a single fast core. The boost clock of 4.00 GHz helps, but the lack of SMT and the 15 W power envelope keep single-thread performance in the mid-range.

Multi-thread behavior is where the 4500U shows its strength. The R23 multi-core score of 9151 is substantial for a 15 W mobile part, and the R20 result of 3843 and R15 of 922 reinforce the picture. For tasks that scale across cores — video encoding, 3D rendering, batch photo processing, and compilation — the six cores provide a solid foundation. The absence of SMT is a trade-off: each core has full access to the shared 8 MB L3 cache and the dual-channel memory interface, but the total thread count is capped at six. In heavily threaded applications that assume eight or more threads, the 4500U will trail processors with SMT, but it remains competitive within its power class.

The benchmark data shows that the 4500U’s aggregate score of 2647 is 0.1% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2274G (2645), 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i7-5820K (2640) and Core i7-7740X (2639), and 0.4% higher than the Core i7-8700T (2636). These are all desktop parts with higher TDPs and, in some cases, higher thread counts. The fact that a 15 W mobile chip edges them out in the overall index underscores how efficient the Zen 2 architecture is, but it also means the 4500U’s per-core performance is not dramatically ahead of those older designs — the advantage is a composite of single- and multi-thread results.

Power and Thermals

The 4500U carries a 15 W TDP, placing it firmly in the ultraportable and thin-and-light laptop segment. This power envelope implies a cooling solution that is low-profile — typically a small heat pipe and a single fan, or even passive cooling in some chassis. The chip is built on TSMC's 7 nm process, with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. These physical characteristics, combined with the 15 W TDP, indicate a design that prioritizes energy efficiency over raw throughput. The base clock of 2.30 GHz and boost of 4.00 GHz are achievable within that power budget, but sustained all-core loads will likely cause the processor to settle at a lower frequency to stay within thermal limits.

For system integrators, the 15 W TDP means the 4500U can be used in fanless or semi-fanless designs, provided the chassis has adequate passive heat spread. The dual-channel memory controller supports DDR4 and LPDDR4, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is sufficient for the integrated Radeon Graphics (384 SP) to share system memory. The lack of ECC support is typical for mobile processors. The PCIe implementation is Gen 3 with 12 lanes from the CPU, which is adequate for an NVMe SSD and a discrete GPU, though most laptops using this chip will rely on the integrated graphics.

The 7 nm process node is a key factor in the thermal behavior. A smaller process generally reduces leakage current and improves power efficiency, which helps the 4500U maintain competitive performance within its 15 W envelope. The data does not provide direct thermal measurements, but the TDP class and process node together suggest that a capable air cooler — even a slim one — is sufficient. Users should not expect the 4500U to sustain peak boost clocks under prolonged all-core stress; the multi-core Cinebench scores are likely representative of short bursts rather than continuous loads.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results for the Ryzen 5 4500U are consistent across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15, it scores 922 multi-core and 130 single-core. The R20 run yields 3843 multi-core and 542 single-core. The most recent R23 test shows 9151 multi-core and 1292 single-core. These numbers place the 4500U at the 52nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning it outperforms roughly half of the processors tested. For a mobile chip with a 15 W TDP, that is a strong showing, as many desktop parts with much higher power draw fall below this percentile.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the 4500U’s aggregate score of 2647 is nearly identical to the Intel Xeon E-2274G (2645, delta +0.1%), the Core i7-5820K (2640, +0.3%), the Core i7-7740X (2639, +0.3%), and the Core i7-8700T (2636, +0.4%). The differences are within a fraction of a percent, effectively a statistical tie. This is notable because all four rivals are desktop processors with higher TDPs and, in some cases, more threads (the Xeon E-2274G has 4 cores/8 threads, the i7-5820K has 6 cores/12 threads, the i7-7740X has 4 cores/8 threads, and the i7-8700T has 6 cores/12 threads). The 4500U, with only 6 threads, matches them in the aggregate index, which suggests that its per-core efficiency is higher, but its lack of SMT prevents it from pulling ahead in multi-threaded tests.

The single-thread scores are where the 4500U shows its weakness relative to those rivals. For instance, the Core i7-7740X, a high-clock desktop part, likely has a higher single-core Cinebench score, but the aggregate index smooths out such differences. The 4500U’s single-core R23 result of 1292 is modest; many modern desktop CPUs exceed 1500. However, the multi-core R23 result of 9151 is competitive with older 6-core desktop chips that have higher TDPs. The net effect is that the 4500U offers a balanced profile: not a single-thread leader, but a capable multi-thread performer for its class.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Ryzen 5 4500U have?

A: It has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading (SMT) support.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 15 W, which classifies it as a low-power mobile chip suitable for thin-and-light laptops.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: It supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Does the 4500U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors (SP).

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket FP6, which is designed for mobile platforms.

Q: When was this processor released?

A: It was released on January 5, 2020.

Who Should Consider It

The Ryzen 5 4500U is best suited for users who need a balance of multi-threaded throughput and power efficiency in a portable laptop. The multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 9151 indicates that the chip can handle moderately demanding creation tasks such as photo editing, 1080p video rendering, and software compilation, especially when the workload is designed to use all six cores. For example, a user who edits short videos or exports large batches of images will see reasonable performance, though longer renders may be limited by the 15 W thermal envelope and the absence of SMT.

For office and productivity workloads, the single-core scores (1292 in R23, 542 in R20) are more than adequate for web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and email. The 6 cores also allow for smooth multitasking across multiple applications, and the integrated Radeon Graphics (384 SP) can drive a 1080p display and handle light 2D graphics. Casual gaming is possible, but the 384 SP GPU is not designed for high-end 3D titles; users should expect playable frame rates only in esports or older games at lower settings.

The 15 W TDP makes the 4500U a natural fit for ultraportable laptops where battery life and low heat are priorities. If your workflow involves heavy single-threaded applications that rely on a few fast cores, a processor with higher single-core performance might be better, but for a mixed workload that includes multi-threaded tasks and portability, the 4500U offers a compelling package. Its aggregate benchmark score of 2647, sitting just above several desktop CPUs from a few generations back, underscores that this is a capable mobile processor that does not compromise as much as its power class might suggest.