AMD Ryzen 5 3500U vs Intel Core i5-1145G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 and AMD Ryzen 5 3500U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors, but benchmark results show they occupy different performance tiers. The data is decisive: the Intel part wins 13 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, with the AMD chip taking only two. The average benchmark scores are close (Intel at 11279, AMD at 11176), but that aggregate hides a wide spread of workload-specific outcomes. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 holds a 62.1% lead in Geekbench multi-core and a 68.2% lead in Geekbench single-core, while the Ryzen 5 3500U counters with a 23.1% win in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 10.1% win in PassMark data encryption. Both CPUs sit at the 66th percentile among all CPUs, yet the character of their performance is markedly different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking gap appears in Geekbench tests. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 scores 4066 in multi-core against the AMD's 2508, a delta of 62.1%. Single-core is even more lopsided: 1463 versus 870, a 68.2% advantage for Intel. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a fundamental throughput advantage in both lightly-threaded and fully-threaded scenarios.

Cinebench results tell a more nuanced story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel wins 783 to 650, a 20.5% margin. However, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the roles reverse completely. AMD scores 143 against Intel's 110, giving AMD a 23.1% victory. This single-core reversal is the largest proportional win for AMD in any test, and it suggests the Zen+ architecture's single-thread efficiency holds up well in this legacy benchmark despite the newer Intel design.

PassMark's suite provides the bulk of the comparison data, and Intel dominates across nearly every category. The extended instructions test shows Intel at 7235 versus AMD's 3560, a 103.2% lead — the only test where the winner doubles the loser's score. Prime number finding is similarly one-sided: Intel scores 33, AMD scores 15, a 120% delta. Floating-point math goes to Intel 19233 to 12485 (54% ahead), while integer math shows 32087 versus 24732 (29.7% ahead). The physics test favors Intel 568 to 367, a 54.8% margin. Multi-threaded PassMark performance has Intel at 9452 versus 6858, a 37.8% lead, and single-thread performance shows Intel at 2713 versus 1924, a 41% advantage.

Data compression and sorting are closer. Intel wins compression 103172 to 94555, a 9.1% edge, and random string sorting 12658 to 11029, a 14.8% margin. These are the tightest Intel victories, indicating that memory-bandwidth-sensitive integer workloads narrow the gap. AMD's second win comes in data encryption, where it scores 6013 against Intel's 5406, a 10.1% advantage. This is an isolated bright spot for the Ryzen part, and it stands out because AMD loses the surrounding integer tests by double-digit percentages.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 is the clear choice for compute-heavy workloads. Its 62.1% Geekbench multi-core lead and 37.8% PassMark multi-thread advantage point to sustained all-core throughput. The 103.2% lead in extended instructions makes it particularly suited for SIMD-heavy code, such as scientific computing or media encoding. Floating-point math at 54% higher and integer math at 29.7% higher reinforce this pattern. For any task that leverages modern instruction sets or parallel floating-point operations, the Intel part is substantially faster.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins in two specific areas. Its 23.1% Cinebench R15 single-core victory is notable because it contradicts the Geekbench single-core result, where Intel leads by 68.2%. This suggests the Ryzen's advantage is benchmark-specific, possibly related to how Cinebench R15 schedules instructions. The 10.1% win in data encryption is more practical: encrypted storage or VPN traffic would see a modest benefit on the AMD chip. Beyond those two tests, the Ryzen 5 3500U does not outperform the Intel part in any other measured workload.

For general productivity, the Intel chip's 9.1% lead in data compression and 14.8% lead in random string sorting suggest faster file archiving and text processing. The 54.8% physics score advantage indicates better performance in simulation or game-physics calculations. The 41% single-thread PassMark lead means everyday responsive tasks like web browsing or document editing will feel snappier on the Intel platform.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and foundries. Intel's Core i5-1145G7 uses the Tiger Lake-U architecture built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 144 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is based on the Zen+ (Picasso) architecture, manufactured on a 12 nm process by GlobalFoundries, with a larger die at 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors. The node difference helps explain Intel's power efficiency: the Tiger Lake part has a TDP of 28 watts against AMD's 15 watts, yet still delivers far higher performance in most tests.

Cache configurations differ significantly between the two. The Intel chip features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. Intel's 8 MB L3 is double AMD's, which likely contributes to the Intel lead in data compression and random string sorting, where cache hits reduce memory latency. AMD's larger L1 and smaller L2 per core reflect the older Zen+ design's cache hierarchy.

Memory support also differs. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator: Intel provides Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3. This gives the Intel platform faster bandwidth for compatible NVMe drives or discrete GPUs. The integrated graphics are also different: Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, while AMD uses Radeon Vega 8. The sockets are distinct — Intel BGA 1449 versus AMD Socket FP5 — meaning no cross-platform upgrade path exists.

FAQ

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

A: It depends on the benchmark. Intel wins Geekbench single-core by 68.2% (1463 against 870) and PassMark single-thread by 41% (2713 against 1924). However, AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 23.1% (143 against 110), making that the only single-threaded test where AMD leads.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U more power-efficient?

A: The Ryzen 5 3500U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-1145G7 has a TDP of 28 watts. The AMD part draws less power, but the Intel chip delivers higher performance in 13 of 15 benchmarks, so the efficiency trade-off favors AMD only in raw power draw.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7 wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the data. It leads by 20.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (783 versus 650), 62.1% in Geekbench multi-core (4066 versus 2508), and 37.8% in PassMark multi-thread (9452 versus 6858).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 33 against AMD's 15, a 120% advantage. The extended instructions test is close behind, with Intel leading 103.2% (7235 versus 3560).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses and do not support ECC memory.

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Intel's L3 cache is double the size of AMD's.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1145G7 | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Zen+ |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-U | Picasso |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not specified | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2019-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SRK03 | YM3500C4T4MFG |

The specification table confirms the architectural gulf between the two. Intel's newer 10 nm process and higher clocks (2.60 GHz base, 4.40 GHz boost versus 2.10 GHz and 3.70 GHz) give it a clock-speed advantage that compounds with its larger L3 cache. AMD's 12 nm process and lower TDP make it a more conservative design, but the benchmark data shows that conservation costs performance in nearly every measurable category. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active in production, but for users comparing these two specific mobile CPUs, the Intel Core i5-1145G7 is the stronger performer in 13 of 15 tests, with the Ryzen 5 3500U's wins limited to Cinebench R15 single-core and data encryption.