AMD Ryzen 5 3500U vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U faster than the Intel Core i7-7700 in any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 5 3500U wins 2 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (143 vs. 104, a 37.5% advantage) and PassMark data encryption (6013 vs. 2974, a 102.2% advantage).

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 dominates. It leads by 12.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (740 vs. 650), by 45.9% in Geekbench multi-core (4640 vs. 2508), and by 20.6% in PassMark multithread (8635 vs. 6858).

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 boosts to 4.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U boosts to 3.70 GHz. The Intel chip also starts at a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power between these two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is rated at 15 watts. This reflects the AMD chip's mobile-focused design.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: Yes, the database lists both the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U and the Intel Core i7-7700 as having an "Active" production status.

Q: Which CPU has a higher overall benchmark standing?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 sits at the 67th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 11914. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is at the 66th percentile, with an average score of 11176.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. The Intel Core i7-7700 is the stronger processor for nearly all compute-heavy tasks, winning 13 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons. Its wins span multi-core rendering, Geekbench single and multi-core, integer math, floating point math, physics simulation, and data compression. Anyone building a desktop system with a focus on gaming, content creation, or general productivity should prioritize the Intel chip based on the recorded measurements.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has two notable wins: Cinebench R15 single-core and PassMark data encryption. However, these are isolated victories. The 3500U is a 15-watt mobile part designed for laptops, not a desktop replacement. The i7-7700, with its 65-watt TDP and higher clock speeds, is the better choice for sustained performance. The AMD chip makes sense only for a low-power mobile build where the encryption workload is unusually important, or where single-core Cinebench R15 performance is the sole criterion.

For anyone comparing these two, the decision comes down to platform and power envelope. If you need a desktop CPU with strong all-around performance, the i7-7700 is the clear winner. If you are constrained to a mobile socket with a 15-watt power budget, the Ryzen 5 3500U is the only one of the two that fits that profile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-7700 takes an early lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 740 against the Ryzen's 650, a 12.2% gap. The gap widens dramatically in Geekbench multi-core, where Intel scores 4640 versus AMD's 2508, a 45.9% difference. This pattern holds across most tests.

In PassMark integer math, the i7-7700 scores 27538 versus 24732 for the Ryzen, a 10.2% margin. The floating point math test shows a larger 26.1% gap, with Intel at 16904 and AMD at 12485. The physics test is also lopsided: Intel scores 588, AMD scores 367, a 37.6% difference.

Data compression favors Intel at 122429 versus 94555, a 22.8% lead. Random string sorting also goes to Intel, 15509 versus 11029, a 28.9% margin. Extended instructions show the biggest Intel win: 8128 versus 3560, a 56.2% difference. Prime number finding favors Intel 28 to 15, a 46.4% gap. PassMark multithread gives Intel 8635 versus 6858, a 20.6% win, and PassMark single-thread gives Intel 2442 versus 1924, a 21.2% margin.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has two bright spots. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 143 against Intel's 104, a 37.5% advantage. In PassMark data encryption, it scores 6013 against Intel's 2974, a 102.2% lead. That encryption win is the single largest delta in either direction across the entire benchmark suite.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ most obviously in clock speeds and power. The Intel Core i7-7700 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Intel chip's TDP is 65 watts, while the AMD chip is rated at 15 watts.

The sockets are incompatible. Intel uses Socket 1151, while AMD uses Socket FP5. The Intel part is a desktop processor, and the AMD part is a mobile processor. The i7-7700 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 3500U also supports DDR4 dual-channel, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the core-count parity is exact. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The integrated graphics differ: Intel has HD 630, AMD has Radeon Vega 8. Both support PCIe Gen 3, but Intel lists 16 lanes (CPU only) while AMD does not specify lane count. Intel's part number is SR338; AMD's is YM3500C4T4MFG. Intel released in January 2017, AMD in January 2019.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is built on Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It has 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-7700 uses Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel chip.

Cache layouts differ. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. So Intel has twice the L3 cache, while AMD has more L1 and L2 per core.

Both processors support DDR4 memory, and neither supports ECC. The AMD part integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while Intel uses HD 630. The AMD chip is a mobile part from the 3000 series, while the Intel chip is a desktop Core i7 from the Kaby Lake generation. The AMD chip has no listed memory bandwidth, while Intel lists 38.4 GB/s. The process node difference (12 nm vs. 14 nm) and the transistor count for AMD (4,940 million) are the key manufacturing distinctions.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-7700 is the winner for any workload that stresses sustained multi-core performance. The data shows it ahead in Cinebench R15 multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, PassMark multithread, integer math, floating point math, physics, data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and prime number finding. This makes it the better choice for video rendering, scientific computing, software compilation, and most desktop productivity tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U wins in two specific areas. First, Cinebench R15 single-core, where its 143 score beats Intel's 104 by 37.5%. This suggests a particular strength in lightly-threaded legacy workloads that stress a single core. Second, PassMark data encryption, where its 6013 score doubles Intel's 2974. For encryption-heavy tasks such as disk encryption or secure communication processing, the AMD chip has a measurable edge.

The overall win count is decisive: Intel wins 13 benchmarks, AMD wins 2. The Intel chip also has a higher average benchmark score (11914 vs. 11176) and a slightly higher percentile ranking (67th vs. 66th). The AMD chip's wins are real but narrow in scope. For a general-purpose desktop CPU, the i7-7700 is the safer pick. For a mobile system with specific encryption or legacy single-core needs, the Ryzen 5 3500U has its place. The 15-watt TDP of the AMD chip also makes it the only viable option for ultra-portable designs, while the 65-watt Intel part requires a desktop-class cooling solution.