Intel Core i5-3470 vs AMD Ryzen 7 4700U

Intel Core i5-3470

The Intel Core i5-3470 is a fast LGA1155 quad-core desktop processor based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Each core offers a base speed of 3.2 GHz, but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.5 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.6 GHz (for 1 active core).

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i5-3470 is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to some architectural improvements. Compared to AMD's fastest desktop CPU (FX-8350), the Core i5-3470 offers higher performance per thread, but features less cores (4 instead of 8). Overall, the Core i5 is just slightly faster in most applications.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500 GPU offers 6 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1100 MHz with Turbo Boost. The very low performance is only sufficient for some older and less demanding games.

The total power consumption of the CPU, graphics and memory controller is specified by Intel at 77 watts (TDP).

AMD Ryzen 7 4700U

The AMD Ryzen 7 4700U is a processor for thin and light laptops based on the Renoir architecture. The 4700U integrates all eight cores based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. They are clocked at 2 (guaranteed base clock) to 4.1 GHz (Turbo). There is no support for the thread-doubling SMT tech. The chip is manufactured on the modern 7 nm TSMC process and partly thanks to it AMD advertises a 2x improved performance per Watt for the Renoir chips. Compared to the faster R7 4800U, the 4700U offers slightly lower clock speeds and no support for SMT / Hyperthreading.

In addition to the eight CPU cores, the APU also integrates a Radeon RX Vega 7 integrated graphics card with 7 CUs and up to 1600 MHz. The dual channel memory controller supports DDR4-3200 and energy efficient LPDDR4-4266 RAM. Furthermore, 8 MB level 3 cache can be found on the chip. See our hub page on the Renoir Processors for more information.

Performance

The average 4700U in our database proves to be a rather competent little processor. It trades blows with the much more power-hungry Intel Core i7-10750H, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. While it fails to get far enough away from the more affordable Ryzen 5 4600U, this Ryzen 7 is still a good CPU for most tasks.

Your mileage may vary depending on how competent the cooling solution of your laptop is and how high the CPU power limits are.

Power consumption

The Ryzen 7 4700U is a 15 W chip. However, laptop makers are allowed to change that value to anything between 10 W and 25 W, with clock speeds and long-term performance changing accordingly as a result. By going for the lowest value, it is possible to build a passively cooled system around the APU.

The fairly modern 7 nm TSMC process this Ryzen is manufactured on makes for above average, as of mid 2022, energy efficiency.