AMD Ryzen 5 3550H vs Intel Core i7-980 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-980 and AMD Ryzen 5 3550H occupy different corners of the processor market: the former is a desktop part from 2011, the latter a mobile chip from 2019. Both sit at the 40th percentile in the database, meaning they are statistically average performers among all CPUs. The i7-980 carries a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1693 against the Ryzen's 1653, a gap of about 2.4%. Yet the head-to-head results tell a more nuanced story: the Ryzen 5 3550H wins three of the four shared Cinebench tests, while the i7-980 takes one by a wide margin. These results reveal a split between single-threaded efficiency and raw multi-threaded throughput that depends heavily on the workload and the benchmark generation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the head-to-head set is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H scores 144 against the Intel Core i7-980's 83. That is a 42.4% lead for AMD, a massive gap that reflects the architectural and clock differences between a 2011 Westmere desktop chip and a 2019 Zen+ mobile part. The Ryzen's boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus the i7's 3.60 GHz helps, but the per-core efficiency of Zen+ is clearly superior in this legacy test.

Cinebench R15 multi-core also goes to AMD, though by a smaller margin. The Ryzen 5 3550H scores 742, while the i7-980 manages 589, a 20.6% deficit for Intel. This is surprising given that the i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads against the Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads. The older Westmere architecture, with its 32 nm process and lower IPC, cannot overcome the Ryzen's higher per-core performance even with two extra physical cores.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-980 delivers a commanding 5853 points against the Ryzen's 3929.5. That is a 49% lead for Intel, the largest win in either direction. This benchmark is more modern and scales well with core count, and the i7-980's 6 cores and 12 threads finally assert their advantage. The Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads, despite their efficiency, cannot match the raw parallel throughput of the older Intel part in this workload.

Cinebench R23 single-core is a closer contest. The Ryzen 5 3550H wins with 886 points versus the i7-980's 826, a 6.8% margin. This is a much smaller gap than the R15 single-core result, suggesting that the i7-980's architecture improves relatively in newer single-threaded tests, but it still trails the AMD part.

Overall, the head-to-head data shows a clear pattern: the Ryzen 5 3550H dominates in single-threaded and legacy multi-threaded tests, while the i7-980 wins decisively in the modern multi-threaded Cinebench R23. The average benchmark scores, however, favor Intel slightly, indicating that the i7-980's R23 multi-core win carries more weight in the overall average than the Ryzen's narrower wins in other tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H wins in both Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests. It scores 144 versus 83 in R15 (a 42.4% lead) and 886 versus 826 in R23 (a 6.8% lead).

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 3550H leads with 742 against 589 (a 20.6% advantage). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-980 leads with 5853 against 3929.5 (a 49% advantage). The i7-980 also has a higher average benchmark score overall (1693 vs 1653).

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of each?

A: The i7-980 has a TDP of 130 watts, while the Ryzen 5 3550H has a TDP of 35 watts. The Ryzen is far more power-efficient.

Q: Does either CPU include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-980 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H was released on 2019-01-05, while the Intel Core i7-980 was released on 2011-06-25. The Ryzen is nearly eight years newer.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split in use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H is the better choice for single-threaded workloads, as it wins both single-core Cinebench tests by margins of 42.4% and 6.8%. It also wins the legacy Cinebench R15 multi-core test, and its 35-watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics add further value for systems without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Core i7-980, on the other hand, is the stronger performer in modern multi-threaded rendering. Its 49% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is substantial, and its higher average benchmark score (1693 vs 1653) suggests that, on average, it edges out the Ryzen in overall performance. However, its 130-watt TDP and desktop-only socket (Intel Socket 1366) limit it to high-power desktop builds. The i7-980 is also end-of-life, while the Ryzen 5 3550H remains active.

For a mobile user prioritizing battery life and single-threaded responsiveness, the Ryzen 5 3550H is the clear winner. For a desktop user who needs maximum multi-threaded throughput in modern Cinebench workloads and can tolerate high power consumption, the i7-980 holds the advantage. The choice hinges on the balance between power efficiency and raw parallel performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The Intel Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.33 GHz for Intel and 2.10 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 3.60 GHz and 3.70 GHz respectively. TDP is 130 watts for Intel and 35 watts for AMD. The i7-980 uses Intel Socket 1366, while the Ryzen 5 3550H uses AMD Socket FP5. The i7-980 is a desktop part, the Ryzen is a mobile part. The i7-980 is end-of-life, the Ryzen is active. Release dates are 2011-06-25 and 2019-01-05. The i7-980 has no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 8. Memory support differs: DDR3 with triple-channel bus for Intel, DDR4 with dual-channel bus for AMD. PCIe generation is Gen 2 for Intel and Gen 3 for AMD. The i7-980 has a part number SLBYU, the Ryzen has YM3500C4T4MFG. Both have ECC memory disabled and locked multipliers.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is wide. The Intel Core i7-980 is built on the Westmere architecture (codename Gulftown) using a 32 nm process at Intel's foundry. It contains 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H uses the Zen+ architecture (codename Picasso) on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The transistor count is over four times higher for AMD, despite a smaller die, reflecting the denser process node.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The i7-980 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 3550H has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-980's larger L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB) may help in some multi-threaded workloads, but the Ryzen's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches contribute to its single-threaded efficiency.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-980 uses DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus, while the Ryzen 5 3550H uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus. The newer DDR4 standard and higher PCIe generation (Gen 3 vs Gen 2) give the Ryzen a more modern platform foundation. The Ryzen also integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the i7-980.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3550H wins in three of the four head-to-head benchmarks: Cinebench R15 multi-core (742 vs 589), Cinebench R15 single-core (144 vs 83), and Cinebench R23 single-core (886 vs 826). These wins highlight its superior per-core performance and efficiency. The Ryzen also has a much lower TDP (35W vs 130W), making it the obvious choice for battery-powered laptops. Its integrated graphics and active production status further strengthen its case for mobile and all-in-one systems.

The Intel Core i7-980 wins decisively in Cinebench R23 multi-core (5853 vs 3929.5), a 49% advantage. This result shows that its 6 cores and 12 threads can still deliver substantial parallel throughput in modern rendering workloads. The i7-980 also has a slightly higher average benchmark score (1693 vs 1653), indicating that its R23 multi-core win outweighs the Ryzen's narrower victories in the overall average. For desktop users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering and can accommodate a 130-watt TDP, the i7-980 remains a viable option, despite its age.

In summary, the Ryzen 5 3550H is the winner for single-threaded tasks, power efficiency, and mobile use. The i7-980 is the winner for modern multi-threaded workloads and overall average performance, but only in a desktop context. The data does not support a single universal winner; the choice depends entirely on the workload and platform requirements.