AMD Ryzen 3 5425U vs Intel Core i7-8700B Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U and Intel Core i7-8700B represent two distinct design philosophies: a modern 15 W mobile processor built on a 7 nm process versus a 65 W desktop-class part from an older 14 nm generation. Benchmark data shows the Intel chip winning all four head-to-head comparisons, but the margin varies dramatically by workload, revealing a nuanced performance landscape.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B is significantly faster in multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 9977 versus the Ryzen 3 5425U's 5954.5, a 40.3% advantage. Geekbench multi-core shows a similar gap, with Intel leading 5936 to 3880, a 34.6% difference.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B also wins single-core tests, but by a much narrower margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1408 versus 1332 for the AMD chip, a 5.4% lead. Geekbench single-core shows an 8% advantage for Intel (1443 vs 1328).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-8700B does not. Both processors support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel part also has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz vs 2.70 GHz) and boost clock (4.60 GHz vs 4.10 GHz).

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has a TDP of 15 W, compared to the Intel Core i7-8700B's 65 W. This makes the AMD part a 15 W mobile processor, whereas Intel's chip is a 65 W desktop component.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is listed as "Active" in production, while the Intel Core i7-8700B is marked as "End-of-life." The Intel chip was released in April 2018, and the AMD part in January 2022.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is built on Zen 3 architecture with the codename "Barcelo" and is manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It uses 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-8700B uses Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 154 mm² (transistor count is not listed in the data).

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part also has 64 KB L1 per core but only 256 KB L2 per core, while its shared L3 cache is larger at 12 MB. This gives Intel a total cache advantage in the L3 tier, though AMD's per-core L2 is twice as large.

Both processors support dual-channel DDR4 memory, but the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the Intel chip. The AMD processor also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ: the AMD chip features Radeon Vega 6, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 630. The market segments also diverge, with the AMD part aimed at mobile and the Intel part at desktop. The AMD chip uses the FP6 socket, while Intel uses BGA 1440.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-8700B wins all four common benchmark comparisons, but the margins tell a clear story about workload scaling. The largest gap appears in multi-core tests where Intel's extra two cores and four threads provide a decisive advantage.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 9977 against AMD's 5954.5, a 40.3% lead. This is the biggest delta in the comparison and reflects the fundamental core-count difference (6 vs 4). Geekbench multi-core shows a similar pattern: Intel's 5936 beats AMD's 3880 by 34.6%. These are substantial margins that will manifest in any heavily threaded productivity task, video rendering, or compilation workload.

Single-core results are considerably closer. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1408 versus AMD's 1332, a modest 5.4% lead. Geekbench single-core shows Intel ahead at 1443 versus 1328, an 8% gap. The AMD chip's Zen 3 architecture partially compensates for its lower clock speeds, but Intel's higher boost clock (4.60 GHz vs 4.10 GHz) still wins the day. These single-core differences are small enough that they may be imperceptible in many real-world applications.

The average benchmark scores place the two processors very close together overall. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has an average benchmark score of 3124, while the Intel Core i7-8700B averages 3086. This puts the AMD part about 1.2% ahead in aggregate metrics, despite losing every head-to-head test. This apparent contradiction is explained by the different benchmark suites used: the AMD chip's data includes only Cinebench R23 and Geekbench results, while the Intel part's average also incorporates older Cinebench R15 and R20 scores where its performance profile may differ.

The percentile ranking versus all CPUs is identical at 52 for both processors, indicating they sit at the same tier in the overall performance distribution.

Specification Differences

The most consequential specification difference is core count: the Intel Core i7-8700B offers 6 cores and 12 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U. This directly explains the multi-core benchmark gaps.

Clock speeds also favor Intel. The base clock is 3.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.60 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. With both processors locked (multiplier unlocked: false), users cannot overclock either to close this gap.

Power consumption is dramatically different: the AMD chip has a 15 W TDP while Intel's is 65 W. This reflects their different market positioning: mobile versus desktop. The AMD part uses the FP6 socket, while Intel uses BGA 1440.

Process technology differs by a full generation: AMD uses 7 nm TSMC, Intel uses 14 nm Intel. The AMD chip has 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die; Intel's die is 154 mm² with no transistor count listed. Despite the smaller die, Intel's older process means the AMD part packs more transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L2 and L3 tiers. AMD uses 512 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3; Intel uses 256 KB L2 per core with 12 MB shared L3. Total L3 capacity favors Intel by 4 MB.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s, both on dual-channel DDR4. ECC support is exclusive to AMD. The integrated graphics differ (Radeon Vega 6 vs UHD Graphics 630), but no benchmark data is provided for iGPU comparison.

Production status differs: AMD's part is Active, Intel's is End-of-life. The Intel processor carries a launch MSRP of $303; the AMD part has no listed MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8700B is the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads. Its 40.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 34.6% lead in Geekbench multi-core make it the better choice for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and other tasks that scale with core count. The extra two cores and four threads are the decisive factor, and the higher boost clock helps sustain performance in bursty workloads.

The Intel chip also wins single-core tests, but by a smaller margin: 5.4% in Cinebench R23 and 8% in Geekbench. This makes it modestly better for lightly threaded applications like older games, office productivity, and general desktop responsiveness. However, the difference is small enough that most users would be hard-pressed to notice it in everyday use.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U wins on power efficiency and platform features. Its 15 W TDP versus 65 W for Intel means it can be deployed in thin-and-light laptops where thermal and battery constraints are paramount. The 7 nm process delivers modern efficiency that the 14 nm Intel part cannot match. AMD also offers ECC memory support, which matters for certain workstation or reliability-focused use cases, though this is unusual for a mobile part.

The AMD chip's higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) may provide an edge in memory-bound scenarios, even if raw CPU throughput is lower. Its smaller package and active production status also suggest better long-term availability for new designs.

For a system builder choosing between these two today, the decision hinges on workload class. If maximum multi-core throughput in a desktop form factor is the priority, the Intel Core i7-8700B is the stronger choice despite its age. If power efficiency, mobile deployment, or ECC support matter more, the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U offers a compelling modern alternative — just with a significant multi-core performance penalty. The identical 52nd percentile ranking indicates both parts occupy the same overall performance tier, but the workload-specific deltas are what should guide the selection.