AMD Ryzen 5 4680U vs Intel Core i5-8500B Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U and Intel Core i5-8500B are statistical twins in aggregate, with average benchmark scores of 2424 and 2423 respectively, placing both at the 48th percentile of all CPUs. However, this parity masks a profound split in workload behavior: the Ryzen 5 4680U wins three of four head-to-head tests, including a dominant 71.4% margin in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Intel chip counters with a 5.4% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The data suggests the AMD part is the superior choice for single-threaded and legacy multi-threaded rendering, while the Intel part holds a narrow edge in the newer R23 multi-threaded workload. For a mobile user prioritizing responsiveness and older software, the Ryzen 5 4680U is the clear pick; for a desktop user running modern multi-core render loops, the Core i5-8500B’s R23 lead makes it marginally better.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process node, packing 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, whereas the Intel Core i5-8500B uses Intel’s 14 nm process with a slightly smaller 154 mm² die and no transistor count listed in the data. The AMD part is based on the Zen 2 architecture (codename Renoir), while Intel uses the older Coffee Lake architecture. This process gap directly explains the power envelope difference: the Ryzen 5 4680U is a 15-watt mobile part, while the Core i5-8500B is a 65-watt desktop chip.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core, but the AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 per core (double Intel’s 256 KB), while Intel compensates with a larger shared L3 pool of 9 MB versus AMD’s 8 MB. The AMD processor supports LPDDR4 memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 with a higher 42.7 GB/s figure. Both use dual-channel memory buses and PCIe Gen 3, though Intel specifies 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD offers Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors, Intel has UHD Graphics 630. The Ryzen 5 4680U uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Core i5-8500B uses Intel BGA 1440. Neither chip supports ECC memory or has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part was released in April 2021 with no launch MSRP, while Intel’s chip launched in April 2018 with a $192 launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a fascinating reversal between benchmark generations. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U scores 1291 versus Intel’s 753, a massive 71.4% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and likely reflects the Ryzen’s 12 threads versus Intel’s 6, as well as the efficiency of Zen 2’s simultaneous multithreading. The R15 single-core test shows a similar though smaller AMD win: 170 versus 106, a 60.4% margin. These R15 results are striking because they show the 15-watt mobile AMD part utterly outperforming the 65-watt desktop Intel chip in both single and multi-threaded legacy rendering.

The picture flips in Cinebench R23. Intel wins multi-core with 7480 against AMD’s 7073, a 5.4% edge. This is counterintuitive given AMD’s R15 dominance, suggesting that R23’s longer workload may favor Intel’s higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz) and larger 9 MB L3 cache. However, AMD retakes the lead in R23 single-core: 1163 versus 1056, a 10.1% advantage. This single-core R23 win is notable because Intel’s boost clock is higher (4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz), yet AMD still edges ahead, implying Zen 2’s instruction-per-clock efficiency overcomes the slight clock deficit. The overall win tally is 3-1 in favor of AMD, but the R23 multi-core loss is a warning sign for sustained modern multi-threaded workloads.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two CPUs differ, based on the data provided.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 4680U | Intel Core i5-8500B |

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

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Renoir | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 154 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 9 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics 448SP | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2021-04-12 | 2018-04-02 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $192 |

| Part Number | 100-000000356 | SRCX3 |

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U scores 2424, which is just one point higher than the Intel Core i5-8500B’s 2423, a negligible 0.1% difference.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U perform in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus the Intel chip?

A: The AMD part scores 1291, which is 71.4% higher than Intel’s 753, making this the largest performance gap in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8500B win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 7480 versus AMD’s 7073, a 5.4% advantage. This is the only test the Intel chip wins out of four head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U scores 1163, which is 10.1% higher than Intel’s 1056, despite Intel having a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus AMD’s 4.00 GHz.

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has 12 threads from 6 cores, while the Intel Core i5-8500B has only 6 threads from 6 cores, meaning AMD offers simultaneous multithreading and Intel does not.

Q: Which CPU has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500B has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U’s 34.1 GB/s. Intel also supports DDR4 memory while AMD supports LPDDR4.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U wins decisively in legacy multi-threaded workloads, as shown by its 71.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. This suggests it is the better choice for older rendering applications, video encoding pipelines, and any software that scales well with thread count but does not demand the latest instruction sets or cache configurations. Its 60.4% single-core R15 advantage further cements its position for older games or applications that rely on a single primary thread. The 10.1% R23 single-core win indicates that even in modern single-threaded tasks, the AMD part holds a meaningful edge, likely due to Zen 2’s superior instructions-per-clock. For mobile users, the 15-watt TDP versus Intel’s 65-watt TDP makes the Ryzen 5 4680U the obvious choice for laptops, thin-and-light devices, or any scenario where power draw and heat output matter critically.

The Intel Core i5-8500B wins only in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with a 5.4% margin. This is a narrow but real advantage in the most modern rendering benchmark included in the data, suggesting that sustained, long-duration multi-threaded workloads may favor Intel’s higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz) and its larger 9 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel chip also offers higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s) and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, which could benefit data-heavy desktop workflows. For a desktop user with adequate cooling, the Core i5-8500B is the better pick for the latest multi-core render tasks, despite being a 65-watt part. Its higher boost clock (4.10 GHz) and DDR4 support may also appeal to users who prioritize memory-intensive workloads over thread scaling. However, the data shows that Intel’s single-core performance is strictly inferior in both R15 and R23, making it a niche choice for general responsiveness.