AMD Ryzen 3 5300U vs Intel Core i5-7640X Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7640X and AMD Ryzen 3 5300U are two fundamentally different processors, one a desktop X-series chip from 2017 and the other a mobile part from 2021. The benchmark data shows a split decision: the Intel chip wins 3 of 6 head-to-head tests, and the AMD chip wins the other 3. The Intel Core i5-7640X holds a 47th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U sits just below at the 46th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the Intel part posting 2167 and the AMD part posting 2135. The data reveals that while the AMD chip dominates in Cinebench R15 tests, the Intel chip fights back decisively in Geekbench and Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in the older Cinebench R15 tests. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U scores 906 in R15 multi-core against the Intel Core i5-7640X's 607, a 33% advantage for AMD. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: AMD scores 170 versus Intel's 85, a 50% lead. These are the largest percentage gaps in either direction across all six benchmarks. The R15 test suite appears to favor the AMD architecture heavily, potentially due to the Ryzen's 8 threads versus the Intel's 4 threads, though the single-core gap suggests architectural efficiency plays a role as well.

The tables turn completely in Geekbench. The Intel Core i5-7640X scores 5137 in multi-core versus the AMD's 4035, a 27.3% lead for Intel. The single-core Geekbench result shows Intel at 1736 versus AMD's 1244, a 39.5% advantage. These Geekbench wins are substantial, indicating that the Intel chip's higher clock speeds (4.30 GHz boost versus 3.80 GHz) translate into strong performance in this particular benchmark suite.

The Cinebench R23 results split the difference. Intel wins multi-core with a score of 6031 versus AMD's 5341, a 12.9% margin. However, AMD takes single-core R23 with 1115 against Intel's 851, a 23.7% lead. This creates an interesting pattern: the AMD chip wins three single-core tests and one multi-core test, while the Intel chip wins two multi-core tests and one single-core test. The net result is a 3-3 tie in wins, but the magnitude of AMD's R15 victories (33% and 50%) is larger than Intel's Geekbench victories (27.3% and 39.5%), suggesting AMD's wins are more decisive in percentage terms.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-7640X uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-X variant, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. It is a desktop part with 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U uses the Zen 2 architecture under the codename Lucienne, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node. The AMD chip also has 4 cores but 8 threads, employing simultaneous multithreading to double the thread count.

The process node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 7 nm. The AMD chip contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the Intel chip's transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. This density advantage allows AMD to achieve its performance while consuming far less power. The TDP figures are starkly different: the Intel chip draws 112 watts while the AMD chip draws only 15 watts. This is a 97-watt gap that reflects the mobile versus desktop positioning.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache doubles from 256 KB per core on Intel to 512 KB per core on AMD. The L3 cache is larger on Intel at 6 MB shared, versus AMD's 4 MB shared. Memory support shows both support DDR4, but the Intel chip uses a quad-channel memory bus while the AMD chip uses dual-channel. The AMD chip has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip's bandwidth is not provided in the data. The AMD chip includes Radeon Graphics with 384 SPs, whereas the Intel chip has no integrated graphics listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 1115, compared to the Intel Core i5-7640X's 851, a 23.7% advantage for AMD.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Geekbench performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X leads with a Geekbench multi-core score of 5137, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U scores 4035. This gives Intel a 27.3% edge in that test.

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X has 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has 8 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP rating?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X has a TDP of 112 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Do both processors support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-7640X and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U support DDR4 memory, but the Intel chip uses a quad-channel memory bus while the AMD chip uses dual-channel.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-7640X has an average benchmark score of 2167, and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has an average benchmark score of 2135.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i5-7640X has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Intel chip draws 112 watts TDP versus the AMD chip's 15 watts. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 2066 for the Intel chip and AMD Socket FP6 for the AMD chip.

The architectures are generations apart: Kaby Lake for Intel versus Zen 2 for AMD. The process nodes differ (14 nm versus 7 nm), and the foundries are different (Intel versus TSMC). The AMD chip has 8 threads versus the Intel chip's 4 threads. Cache sizes differ in L2 (256 KB versus 512 KB per core) and L3 (6 MB versus 4 MB shared). The memory bus width differs (quad-channel versus dual-channel), and the AMD chip has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s while the Intel chip has none listed.

The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon Graphics with 384 SPs, while the Intel chip has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip is unlocked for multiplier overclocking, while the Intel chip is not. The AMD chip has a production status of "Active" and a part number of 100-000000376, while the Intel chip's production status and part number are not listed. The release dates are separated by several years: the Intel chip released in mid-2017, and the AMD chip released in early 2021.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a nuanced conclusion. The Intel Core i5-7640X wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (6031 versus 5341), Geekbench multi-core (5137 versus 4035), and Geekbench single-core (1736 versus 1244). The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (906 versus 607), Cinebench R15 single-core (170 versus 85), and Cinebench R23 single-core (1115 versus 851). The win counts are tied at 3-3, but the average benchmark scores are nearly identical (2167 versus 2135), placing both chips within 1.5% of each other overall.

The Intel chip's 112-watt TDP and desktop socket suggest it is designed for sustained high-clock workloads, and its Geekbench wins reflect that. The AMD chip's 15-watt TDP and mobile socket indicate a focus on efficiency, yet it still manages to outperform Intel in the R15 tests and in R23 single-core. The AMD chip's 8 threads provide a multi-threading advantage that shows in the R15 multi-core result, where it leads by 33%. The Intel chip's higher clock speeds (4.30 GHz versus 3.80 GHz) appear to drive its Geekbench single-core win, where it leads by 39.5%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-7640X is the choice for Geekbench-style workloads. Its 39.5% single-core lead and 27.3% multi-core lead in that benchmark suite indicate strong performance for applications that follow Geekbench's testing methodology. The Cinebench R23 multi-core win (12.9% ahead) also suggests the Intel chip handles modern multi-core rendering workloads effectively, despite having half the threads of the AMD chip.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U excels in the Cinebench R15 suite, with a 33% multi-core lead and a 50% single-core lead. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 23.7%. This pattern suggests the AMD chip is particularly strong in legacy Cinebench workloads and in single-threaded Cinebench tasks. The AMD chip's 8 threads and higher L2 cache per core (512 KB versus 256 KB) may contribute to its R15 multi-core advantage.

The power envelope is the clearest differentiator. The Intel chip's 112-watt TDP means it requires substantial cooling and power delivery, while the AMD chip's 15-watt TDP allows for fanless or low-power designs. For users prioritizing Geekbench scores and R23 multi-core, the Intel chip is the data-supported pick. For users prioritizing R15 performance, single-core Cinebench, or power efficiency, the AMD chip is the data-supported pick. The overall average scores suggest either chip performs at a similar level, with the 47th percentile Intel chip and 46th percentile AMD chip sitting nearly adjacent in the global CPU ranking.