AMD Ryzen 5 1500X vs Intel Core i7-10810U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X and Intel Core i7-10810U occupy the same performance percentile in the database, both sitting at the 44th percentile among all tested CPUs. Yet their average benchmark scores tell a more nuanced story: the Ryzen 5 1500X posts an average score of 1992, while the Core i7-10810U trails slightly at 1971. This places them within 1.1% of each other overall, but the head-to-head benchmark results reveal that each processor wins in different scenarios, making the choice heavily dependent on workload type.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel part offers two additional physical cores and four additional threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds for each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Intel Core i7-10810U has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz (which is 1.10 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-10810U does not support ECC memory.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor offer?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U includes integrated UHD Graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-10810U scores 6816 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 32.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X's score of 4597. The Intel part wins this benchmark decisively.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R15 single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X scores 154 in Cinebench R15 single-core, which is 60.4% higher than the Intel Core i7-10810U's score of 96. This is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head results.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests. It scores 805 in multi-core versus 686 for the Intel part, a 17.3% advantage. In single-core R15, the gap expands dramatically: 154 versus 96, a 60.4% lead for AMD. These results suggest the Ryzen 5 1500X excels in workloads that rely on the R15 benchmark's execution patterns, which place relatively lighter demands on multi-threading and favor the AMD processor's architecture characteristics.

The Intel Core i7-10810U wins decisively in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Its score of 6816 outperforms the AMD part's 4597 by 32.6%. This is the largest multi-core win in the dataset and reflects the Intel processor's advantage from having 6 cores and 12 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 5 1500X's smaller core count limits its scalability in heavily threaded modern workloads.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i7-10810U edges ahead with 962 versus 947, a slim 1.6% margin. This is a narrow victory but still notable because it shows that the Intel part can match or slightly exceed the AMD processor in single-threaded performance within the newer benchmark generation. The two CPUs split the four head-to-head benchmarks evenly, with two wins each.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process manufactured by GlobalFoundries. It is part of the 1000 series and codenamed Zen (Summit Ridge). The processor has 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. Its cache structure includes 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Intel Core i7-10810U uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process manufactured by Intel. It belongs to the Core 10th Gen series with the codename Comet Lake-U. The transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. Its cache configuration includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Both processors are built on 14 nm nodes, but they come from different foundries: GlobalFoundries for AMD and Intel for the Intel part. The Ryzen 5 1500X has a larger L3 cache at 16 MB shared, while the Core i7-10810U has 12 MB shared. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are larger on the AMD side: 96 KB versus 64 KB for L1, and 512 KB versus 256 KB for L2. These cache differences may contribute to the AMD processor's strong showing in Cinebench R15, where its larger per-core resources likely improve performance in less parallel workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-10810U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. ECC memory support is present only on the AMD side. The AMD processor also features an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part does not allow multiplier unlocking.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-10810U has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Ryzen 5 1500X runs at 3.50 GHz, whereas the Core i7-10810U has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz. Boost clocks are 3.70 GHz for AMD and 4.90 GHz for Intel.

Thermal design power differs by a wide margin. The AMD processor has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel part is rated at 25 watts. This makes the Intel Core i7-10810U a much lower-power part, suited for mobile platforms. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Core i7-10810U uses Intel BGA 1440.

The AMD processor supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part supports PCIe Gen 3 but the lane count is not specified. Market segments differ: the Ryzen 5 1500X is a desktop processor, while the Core i7-10810U is a mobile processor. Production status also varies, with the AMD part listed as active and the Intel part listed as end-of-life.

Release dates are recorded. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X was released on 2017-04-10, while the Intel Core i7-10810U was released on 2020-04-01. The AMD processor has a launch MSRP of $189, while the Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP. The Ryzen 5 1500X has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Core i7-10810U does not.

Memory support differs: the AMD part supports DDR4 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel Core i7-10810U, which includes UHD Graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has no integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The four head-to-head benchmarks provide a clear picture of performance distribution. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with a score of 805 versus 686 for the Intel Core i7-10810U, a 17.3% advantage. This win is substantial and suggests that in the R15 multi-core test, the AMD processor's architecture handles the workload more efficiently despite having fewer cores.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X delivers its most dominant performance. Its score of 154 beats the Intel part's 96 by 60.4%. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head dataset. The single-core R15 result indicates that the AMD Zen architecture provides significantly better performance per core in this benchmark generation. The gap is so large that it overshadows the Intel part's core-count advantage.

The Intel Core i7-10810U responds with a strong win in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its score of 6816 surpasses the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X's 4597 by 32.6%. This is the largest win for the Intel part and demonstrates that in modern multi-threaded workloads, the combination of 6 cores and 12 threads provides a decisive advantage over 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD processor cannot compensate for its core deficit in this test.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i7-10810U wins narrowly with 962 versus 947, a 1.6% margin. While this is a small delta, it flips the single-core story from the R15 results. The Intel part's boost clock of 4.90 GHz likely plays a role in this outcome, allowing it to edge past the AMD processor in newer single-threaded tests.

The average benchmark scores place the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X at 1992 and the Intel Core i7-10810U at 1971. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-7920HQ at 1992 with a 0% delta, the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 at 1991 with a 0.1% delta, and the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 at 1989 with a 0.2% delta. The Intel Core i7-10810U's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 at 1973 with a -0.1% delta, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X at 1968 with a 0.1% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 2600H at 1967 with a 0.2% delta.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is the better choice for users running Cinebench R15 workloads, particularly single-threaded tasks where it holds a 60.4% lead over the Intel Core i7-10810U. Its larger per-core caches and higher base clock of 3.50 GHz contribute to this strong performance. Desktop users who prioritize older benchmark compatibility or lighter multi-threaded tasks will find the AMD processor more capable.

The Intel Core i7-10810U is the superior option for modern multi-threaded workloads, as demonstrated by its 32.6% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it scales better in parallel applications. Its lower TDP of 25 watts makes it suitable for mobile platforms where power efficiency is critical. The integrated UHD Graphics also provides a display solution without requiring a separate GPU.

For users who need ECC memory support, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is the only choice, as the Intel part lacks this feature. The AMD processor's unlocked multiplier also appeals to enthusiasts who want to overclock. However, the Intel part offers a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz and a newer release date of 2020-04-01 compared to the AMD part's 2017-04-10.

The benchmark results show a split decision. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins the two Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel Core i7-10810U wins the two Cinebench R23 tests. The newer benchmark generation, R23, is generally more representative of current software demands, giving the Intel part an edge for forward-looking workloads. Yet the magnitude of the AMD wins in R15, especially the 60.4% single-core victory, cannot be ignored.

The average benchmark scores are close, with the AMD part at 1992 and the Intel part at 1971, a difference of only 1.1%. This means that in mixed workloads, the two processors will perform similarly overall. The decision should be guided by workload type: AMD for R15-style tasks and desktop use, Intel for R23-style modern multi-threading and mobile use cases.