Core i5-4400E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600

Intel

Core i5-4400E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen Embedded R1600

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2020
Similar parts
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Core i5-4400E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-4400E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4400E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4400E

2013

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Ryzen Embedded R1600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (3,251 vs 3,276).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $266 MSRP, while Ryzen Embedded R1600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 1948% higher power demand at 512W vs 25W.

Ryzen Embedded R1600

2020

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Draws 25W instead of 512W, a 487W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4400E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Embedded R1600 better than Core i5-4400E?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4400E is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Embedded R1600 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Ryzen Embedded R1600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Embedded R1600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Embedded R1600 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen Embedded R1600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $266 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-4400E only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 2.5% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen Embedded R1600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4400E vs Ryzen Embedded R1600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-4400E

The Core i5-4400E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,251 points. Launch price was $266.

AMD

Ryzen Embedded R1600

The Ryzen Embedded R1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,276 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4400E and Ryzen Embedded R1600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4400E versus 3.1 GHz on the Ryzen Embedded R1600 — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-4400E (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-4400E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4400E scores 3,251 against the Ryzen Embedded R1600's 3,276 — a 0.8% lead for the Ryzen Embedded R1600. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4400E vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen Embedded R1600.

FeatureCore i5-4400ERyzen Embedded R1600
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz+6%
3.1 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+4%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB
4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark
3,251
3,276
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4400E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-4400ERyzen Embedded R1600
Socket
BGA1364
FP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4400E) / not specified (Ryzen Embedded R1600). The Core i5-4400E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4400E targets Embedded.

FeatureCore i5-4400ERyzen Embedded R1600
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Embedded
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4400E was priced at $266, while the Ryzen Embedded R1600 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($266 vs $0), Ryzen Embedded R1600 was $266 cheaper.

FeatureCore i5-4400ERyzen Embedded R1600
MSRP
$266
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
12.2
Release Date
2013
2020

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