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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X wins 17 of the 19 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-1145G7 manages only 2 wins. The margins, however, vary wildly depending on the workload type.

The largest victory for the AMD part comes in the passmark find prime numbers test. The Ryzen 5 3500X scores 130 against the Intel's 33, a 293.9% advantage. This is a computation that scales heavily with raw core count and memory throughput, and the Ryzen's six physical cores simply overwhelm the Intel's four-core design. Similarly, the passmark physics test shows a 117.3% lead for AMD (1234 vs 568), another workload that rewards parallel execution.

The extended instructions test is also a decisive win for AMD. The Ryzen 5 3500X posts 14053 versus 7235 for the Intel part, a 94.2% gap. This suggests the Zen 2 architecture handles AVX-style workloads with substantially more headroom. The geekbench multicore test shows a 55.7% advantage (6331 vs 4066), reinforcing the pattern that multi-threaded performance is not close.

Cinebench results are consistent across all three versions of the benchmark. In R23 multicore, AMD scores 11196 against Intel's 7777, a 44% delta. R20 multicore shows 4702 vs 3266, again 44%. R15 multicore shows 1128 vs 783, 44.1%. The single-core variants tell a similar story, with AMD leading by 43.8% to 44.5% across R15, R20, and R23. This is notable because single-thread performance is often where Intel's mobile parts compete well, but the data does not support that here.

The passmark integer math test is the closest multi-threaded result, with AMD winning by only 1.5% (32564 vs 32087). Floating point math is more decisive, 20.1% in AMD's favor (23095 vs 19233). Data compression and encryption show 39.3% and 34.6% leads respectively for AMD. Random string sorting gives AMD a 28.5% edge.

The only two Intel wins are both variants of the same test: passmark single thread and passmark singlethread (duplicate entries). Intel scores 2713 against AMD's 2502, a 7.8% advantage. This is a genuine bright spot for the Tiger Lake part, but it is a narrow one. The geekbench singlecore test tells a different story, with AMD winning 1539 to 1463, a 5.2% margin. So even in single-threaded workloads, the results are mixed.

The average benchmark scores paint the overall picture: AMD sits at 12000, Intel at 11279. That is roughly a 6.4% gap in the aggregate. The Intel part's percentile rank is 66, just one point below AMD's 67, indicating that both chips occupy a similar tier in the overall CPU landscape despite the head-to-head dominance.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for multi-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is the superior processor for rendering, compilation, data processing, and any task that can use more than four threads. Its six cores and 32 MB of shared L3 cache give it a structural advantage that the Intel part cannot overcome, regardless of clock speed.

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 is a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP, designed for laptops where power draw and thermals matter more than absolute throughput. Its 7.8% win in passmark single-thread is real but isolated. The geekbench singlecore result actually favors AMD by 5.2%, so even the "single-thread crown" is not consistent across test suites.

For a desktop builder using an AM4 socket, the Ryzen 5 3500X is the clear choice. It is an active production part with an unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked. The Intel part is end-of-life, locked, and soldered to a BGA 1449 socket, making it impossible to upgrade or repurpose in a standard desktop.

For a laptop buyer, the Intel part is the only option of the two, since the Ryzen 5 3500X is a desktop-only chip. But if the question is purely which CPU delivers more performance per watt or per dollar, the database does not record wattage or price data for the AMD part. What it does record is that the Intel part launched at an MSRP of $309, and it delivers roughly 6% less aggregate performance.

The practical advice: if you are building a desktop and the choice is between these two, take the AMD part. If you are buying a laptop and these are your only two options, the Intel part is the only one that exists in that form factor, but the benchmark results should temper expectations for sustained multi-core work.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is a desktop chip built on TSMC's 7 nm process, with 6 cores and 6 threads. It has no hyper-threading, so each core handles one thread. The architecture is Zen 2, codename Matisse, and it uses the AMD Socket AM4. The die size is 74 mm² with 3,800 million transistors, and it supports PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 is a mobile chip on Intel's 10 nm process, with 4 cores and 8 threads. It uses hyper-threading to double the thread count. The architecture is Tiger Lake, codename Tiger Lake-U, and it uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket. The die size is 144 mm², which is nearly double the AMD die despite having fewer cores. Intel does not report a transistor count for this part. It supports PCIe Gen 4 but only with 4 lanes.

The cache layouts differ substantially. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 32 MB shared L3 cache. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the AMD part is a significant factor in its multi-threaded performance, as it reduces the need to access main memory.

Both chips support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel does not provide a bandwidth figure in the database. Both support ECC memory, meaning neither does. Intel adds LPDDR4X support, which is relevant for mobile designs.

The Intel part includes integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The AMD part has no integrated graphics, which is typical for desktop Ryzen parts of this generation. This is a critical difference for system builders: the AMD chip requires a discrete GPU, while the Intel chip can run a display from its iGPU.

The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. The Intel chip is locked. The AMD part is marked as Active production, while the Intel part is End-of-life. The AMD part is part of the 3000 series, while Intel's series field is null. The AMD part number is 100-000000158; Intel's is SRK03.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 wins passmark single thread by 7.8% (2713 vs 2502). However, the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X wins geekbench singlecore by 5.2% (1539 vs 1463) and wins all three Cinebench single-core tests by margins of 43.8% to 44.5%.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyper-threading. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, using hyper-threading to reach 8 threads.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-1145G7 has integrated graphics, specifically Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is listed as Active, meaning it is still in production. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 is listed as End-of-life.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode. The Intel part also supports LPDDR4X, which is useful for mobile designs. The AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel does not provide a bandwidth figure.

Q: Can either CPU be overclocked?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has an unlocked multiplier, so it can be overclocked. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X wins in every multi-threaded category recorded. That includes all Cinebench versions, Geekbench multicore, Passmark data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting. The margins range from a narrow 1.5% in integer math to a massive 293.9% in prime number calculation. This makes it the clear choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, scientific computing, and any batch processing task.

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 wins in exactly two recorded tests, both being the passmark single-thread benchmark. The 7.8% margin is respectable but does not carry over to other single-thread tests. The geekbench singlecore test goes to AMD by 5.2%, and all Cinebench single-core tests go to AMD by roughly 44%. So the Intel part's single-thread win is benchmark-specific rather than a general architectural advantage.

The Intel part also holds the practical advantage of being a mobile chip with integrated graphics. For a thin-and-light laptop, it can handle everyday tasks, media playback, and light gaming without a discrete GPU. The AMD part cannot do this at all, since it has no iGPU. If a system must run without a graphics card, the Intel part is the only option.

The AMD part wins on platform flexibility. It uses the AM4 socket, which is widely available on desktop motherboards, and its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking. The Intel part is soldered to BGA 1449, making it a permanent fixture of whatever laptop it ships in. The AMD part is also an active product, meaning it is still being manufactured and sold.

Specification Differences

The table below covers only the fields where the two processors differ. Identical fields (dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, DDR4 support) are omitted.

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

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Matisse | Tiger Lake-U |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 144 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | Not reported |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 32 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not reported |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, LPDDR4X |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 24 lanes | Gen 4, 4 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2019-09-23 | 2020-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | Not reported | $309 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000158 | SRK03 |