AMD FX-8320E vs Intel Core i5-5287U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear and consistent victory for the Intel Core i5-5287U across the only shared benchmark tests in the database. In the Geekbench multicore test, the Intel part scores 2007 against the AMD FX-8320E's 1681, a margin of 19.4%. This is a substantial lead for a processor with only 2 cores and 4 threads against an 8-core, 8-thread desktop part. The result indicates that the Intel chip's efficiency and per-core throughput more than compensate for its lower core count in this workload.

The single-core results are far more lopsided. The Intel Core i5-5287U posts a Geekbench single-core score of 1029, while the AMD FX-8320E manages just 437. That works out to a 135.5% advantage for Intel. This is the single largest delta in the head-to-head comparison, and it underscores a fundamental divide in architectural capability. The AMD chip's older Piledriver cores are simply not competitive on a per-thread basis, and this gap will matter in any application that relies heavily on single-threaded performance.

In total, the Intel Core i5-5287U wins 2 benchmarks, while the AMD FX-8320E wins 0. There is no shared test in which the AMD part comes out ahead. Looking at the broader database averages, the Intel chip holds an average benchmark score of 1072, while the AMD FX-8320E sits at 1059. The delta between their overall averages is small, roughly 1.2%, but the head-to-head results show that the distribution of performance is not even. The Intel chip's wins are decisive, while the AMD chip has no countervailing victories in the recorded tests.

The percentile rankings are close: the Intel part sits in the 30th percentile of all CPUs, and the AMD part sits in the 29th. That near-tie in overall standing, combined with the 19.4% and 135.5% deltas in the direct comparisons, suggests that the AMD chip may have strengths in workloads not captured by the shared benchmark set, but no such evidence exists in the current data. Based strictly on the measured results, the Intel Core i5-5287U is the faster processor in every directly comparable test.

The Verdict

The data leads to an unambiguous conclusion: the Intel Core i5-5287U is the superior processor for any workload represented in the recorded benchmarks. It wins both head-to-head tests, including a 19.4% multicore advantage and a 135.5% single-core advantage. The AMD FX-8320E does not win a single recorded comparison. A buyer prioritizing raw benchmark performance as measured by Geekbench should select the Intel part without hesitation.

However, the choice is not purely about score totals. The AMD FX-8320E is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-5287U is a mobile part with a locked multiplier. The AMD chip allows overclocking, which could improve its standing, but the database does not include any overclocked benchmark results. Without those numbers, the only honest verdict is that the Intel chip is faster in stock configuration.

The AMD FX-8320E does have 8 physical cores versus the Intel chip's 2 physical cores with 4 threads. The database does not contain a multi-threaded test that favors the AMD part, but the core count difference suggests that certain heavily parallel workloads could potentially shift the balance. The recorded data, however, shows no such case. As it stands, the Intel Core i5-5287U is the recommended pick for single-threaded and general-purpose tasks, and it also holds the edge in the multicore test that was actually run.

For users who require a desktop platform with an unlocked multiplier and eight physical cores, the AMD FX-8320E remains a viable option, but the benchmark evidence does not support choosing it on performance grounds alone. The Intel chip's 30th percentile ranking versus the AMD chip's 29th percentile ranking is a statistical wash, but the direct comparison is not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-5287U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It contains 1,900 million transistors on a die size of 133 mm². The AMD FX-8320E uses the Piledriver architecture with the Vishera codename, built on a 32 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. It has 1,200 million transistors on a much larger die size of 315 mm². The smaller process node gives Intel a significant efficiency advantage, which is reflected in the TDP figures: the Intel chip is rated at 28 W, while the AMD chip is rated at 95 W.

The cache hierarchies are also structured very differently. The Intel Core i5-5287U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD FX-8320E has 384 KB of total L1 cache, 8 MB of L2 cache, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has more total cache, but the Intel part's cache is laid out per core, which can reduce latency in single-threaded workloads.

Integrated graphics represent another major difference. The Intel Core i5-5287U includes Intel Iris 6100 graphics directly on the processor. The AMD FX-8320E has no integrated graphics on the chip itself; it relies on the chipset of certain motherboards to provide display output. This means the Intel chip can power a display without a discrete GPU, while the AMD chip requires a separate graphics card or a motherboard with integrated graphics support.

The PCIe support also differs. The Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip supports PCIe Gen 2 without a lane count specified in the database. Both are limited to DDR3 memory with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD FX-8320E has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel chip's base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The AMD chip runs at a base clock of 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Despite the AMD chip's higher clock speeds, it loses in all recorded benchmark tests.

The TDP is a major differentiator: 28 W for the Intel part versus 95 W for the AMD part. This makes the Intel chip far more suitable for mobile or low-power systems, while the AMD chip is clearly a desktop-oriented design. The sockets reflect this: the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1168, which is a soldered mobile socket, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM3+, a standard desktop socket.

The process node and foundry differ: Intel uses 14 nm at Intel, while AMD uses 32 nm at GlobalFoundries. Transistor counts are 1,900 million for Intel and 1,200 million for AMD. Die sizes are 133 mm² for Intel and 315 mm² for AMD. The Intel chip is smaller and denser.

The market segments are opposite: Intel is a mobile processor, and AMD is a desktop processor. The Intel chip was released on 2015-02-28, while the AMD chip was released on 2014-09-01. Both are marked as end-of-life. The Intel part number is SR26H, and the AMD part number is FD832EWMW8KHKFD832EWMHKBOX.

The multiplier is locked on the Intel chip and unlocked on the AMD chip. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i5-5287U is $315. The launch MSRP for the AMD FX-8320E is $147. The AMD chip also has no integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes Intel Iris 6100.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U scores 1029 in Geekbench single-core, while the AMD FX-8320E scores 437. The Intel chip leads by 135.5%.

Q: How do the multicore scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U scores 2007 in Geekbench multicore, and the AMD FX-8320E scores 1681. The Intel chip is ahead by 19.4%.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD FX-8320E has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the AMD FX-8320E have integrated graphics?

A: No, the AMD FX-8320E does not have integrated graphics on the chip. It relies on the chipset of certain motherboards for display output. The Intel Core i5-5287U includes Intel Iris 6100 graphics.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U has a TDP of 28 W, and the AMD FX-8320E has a TDP of 95 W.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD FX-8320E has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-5287U does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-5287U wins in every recorded benchmark. Its single-core advantage of 135.5% makes it the clear choice for applications that depend on per-thread speed, such as older games, lightly threaded productivity software, and general desktop responsiveness. Its multicore lead of 19.4% also makes it the better option for moderately parallel workloads, despite having only 2 physical cores. The integrated Intel Iris 6100 graphics give it an additional edge for systems without a discrete GPU, and its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for compact or battery-powered designs.

The AMD FX-8320E has no benchmark wins in the database, but its specifications point to potential strengths in specific scenarios. With 8 physical cores and 8 threads, it could theoretically outperform the Intel chip in heavily threaded applications that are not represented in the shared benchmark set. The unlocked multiplier offers overclocking headroom, which could narrow or reverse the performance gap, though no overclocked results are recorded. The AMD chip is also a desktop part with a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz, which may appeal to users who prioritize raw clock speed and core count over efficiency.

The AMD FX-8320E's larger L3 cache of 8 MB (shared) versus the Intel chip's 3 MB (shared) could benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads. Its socket AM3+ platform is a traditional desktop socket, allowing for easier upgrades and cooler swaps compared to the soldered Intel BGA 1168. However, in the absence of any recorded benchmark victory, these are speculative advantages. The data as it stands favors the Intel Core i5-5287U for essentially all measured performance metrics.