AMD Ryzen 5 1500X vs Intel Core i5-8279U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X and Intel Core i5-8279U are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target entirely different market segments. The Ryzen 5 1500X is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP and an unlocked multiplier, while the Core i5-8279U is a mobile chip with a 28 W TDP and integrated graphics. Benchmark results show a split decision, with the AMD chip winning four of six head-to-head tests, but the Intel part taking the most modern multi-threaded workload. The data reveals that architectural generation and power targets matter more than raw core counts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the entire comparison comes from the older Cinebench R15 suite. In the single-core R15 test, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 154 against the Core i5-8279U’s 89, a 73% advantage for AMD. This is a massive gap, likely reflecting the Intel chip’s low base clock of 2.40 GHz and the benchmark’s sensitivity to sustained frequency. The multi-core R15 result is similarly one-sided, with AMD posting 805 versus Intel’s 634, a 27% lead. These are the two largest deltas in the dataset, and they firmly establish the Ryzen 5 1500X as the superior choice for legacy rendering workloads.

The picture flips dramatically in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Here, the Intel Core i5-8279U scores 6,294 against the Ryzen 5 1500X’s 4,597, giving Intel a 27% victory. This is a striking reversal, especially considering the Intel chip’s lower 28 W TDP. The R23 test appears to reward the Intel part’s higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz and its newer Coffee Lake architecture. In the single-core R23 test, however, AMD claws back a win with 947 versus 888, a 6.6% margin. This suggests that while Intel’s multi-core scaling is superior in the modern suite, AMD’s per-core efficiency still holds up.

The Geekbench results add another layer of nuance. The Ryzen 5 1500X wins the multi-core test with 4,326 against Intel’s 3,764, a 14.9% advantage. This is a significant win for AMD, especially given that the R23 multi-core result went the other way. The single-core Geekbench test goes to Intel, with 1,209 versus 1,122, a 7.2% margin. This pattern — AMD winning multi-core Geekbench, Intel winning single-core Geekbench — indicates that the two chips have different performance profiles depending on the workload type. Overall, the Ryzen 5 1500X wins four of the six head-to-head tests, with its most decisive victories coming in the Cinebench R15 suite and Geekbench multi-core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is built on the original Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, and uses a 14 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-8279U is based on Coffee Lake, specifically Coffee Lake-U, also on a 14 nm node but from Intel’s own fabs. Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, but their cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 1500X features 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 16 MB shared L3 cache. The Core i5-8279U has smaller caches across the board: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and only 6 MB of shared L3.

The transistor counts and die sizes reflect these design differences. The Ryzen 5 1500X packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die, while the Core i5-8279U has 2,300 million transistors on a 126 mm² die. This makes the AMD chip roughly twice as large in terms of both transistor count and die area. The larger L3 cache on the AMD part is a likely contributor to its strong multi-core Geekbench showing.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode, but the Ryzen 5 1500X offers a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Core i5-8279U is rated at 34.1 GB/s. Additionally, the AMD chip supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Intel part. The Ryzen 5 1500X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the Core i5-8279U is locked. For integrated graphics, the Intel part includes Iris Pro Plus 655, while the Ryzen 5 1500X has none. The AMD chip uses the AM4 socket, while Intel uses BGA 1526, a soldered mobile package. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD chip is still listed as active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 1500X is the clear winner in legacy benchmarks and older workloads. Its 73% margin in Cinebench R15 single-core and 27% margin in R15 multi-core make it the dominant choice for anyone running software that relies on that benchmark’s scoring model. The AMD chip also wins Geekbench multi-core by 14.9%, indicating strong performance in general productivity tasks that scale across threads. With its larger 16 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, the Ryzen 5 1500X is well-suited for desktop builds where sustained multi-threaded throughput matters.

The Core i5-8279U takes the crown in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test, beating the AMD chip by 27%. This is a significant result because R23 is a more current rendering workload that reflects newer software optimizations. The Intel chip also wins Geekbench single-core by 7.2%, which points to better performance in lightly-threaded tasks like web browsing or office applications. The Intel part’s integrated Iris Pro Plus 655 graphics give it a built-in advantage for systems without a discrete GPU, though the benchmark data does not include graphics tests. The Core i5-8279U also has a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus the Ryzen’s 3.70 GHz, which helps in bursty workloads.

For desktop users building a dedicated machine, the Ryzen 5 1500X offers better legacy performance and a larger cache. For mobile users or compact systems where power efficiency is critical, the Core i5-8279U’s 28 W TDP and modern architecture make it the stronger pick, particularly in current multi-threaded rendering. The AMD chip’s four benchmark wins versus Intel’s two indicate overall superiority in the tested suite, but the specific workload matters greatly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U is faster, scoring 6,294 compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X’s 4,597, a 27% difference in Intel’s favor.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 1500X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8279U does not.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has a 16 MB shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has a 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U includes Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has an average benchmark score of 1,992, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has an average score of 1,987. The difference is approximately 0.2%.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X overclockable?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 1500X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Intel Core i5-8279U is locked.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but conditional recommendation. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins four of six head-to-head benchmarks, including the two most lopsided victories in the entire dataset. Its 73% margin in Cinebench R15 single-core and 27% margin in R15 multi-core are decisive, and its 14.9% win in Geekbench multi-core shows broad strength. For users running legacy software or general productivity workloads, the Ryzen 5 1500X is the better performer. Its 16 MB L3 cache, 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, and ECC support make it a robust desktop choice, especially given its active production status and unlocked multiplier.

The Intel Core i5-8279U, however, is not without merit. Its 27% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single most important modern workload in the comparison, and its 7.2% win in Geekbench single-core shows competitive single-thread performance. The integrated Iris Pro Plus 655 graphics and lower 28 W TDP make it suitable for compact or mobile systems where a discrete GPU is not an option. That said, the Intel chip is end-of-life, locked, and loses the legacy benchmark suite by wide margins.

The choice hinges on use case. For a desktop workstation running older rendering applications, the Ryzen 5 1500X is the data-backed pick. For a modern, power-efficient laptop or mini PC running current software, the Core i5-8279U’s R23 multi-core lead makes it the stronger option. The Ryzen 5 1500X has the higher average benchmark score at 1,992 versus 1,987, but the margin is negligible. Ultimately, the Ryzen 5 1500X wins more tests, but the Core i5-8279U wins the test that matters most for contemporary rendering workloads.