AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i7-10700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 records an average benchmark score of 19593, while the Intel Core i7-10700 scores 19145. The AMD part sits 0.5% above the Intel Core i7-10700F, whereas the Intel part is 0.5% above the Intel Core 3 201E.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins in every recorded single-thread test. It leads by 5.4% in 3dmark single-thread, 5.8% in PassMark single-thread, 50.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and 35.7% in Geekbench single-core, with the largest single-thread gap at 50.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-10700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip wins 19 of the 25 head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: Is there a difference in integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-10700 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has no integrated graphics. This means the Intel part can provide display output without a discrete GPU.

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is built on a 7 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core i7-10700 uses Intel's 14 nm process. The AMD chip also reports a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors, whereas the Intel part lists no transistor or die size data.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10700 boosts to 4.80 GHz, compared to 4.20 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500. However, the Intel part has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for the AMD chip.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate a clear split in workload suitability. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 dominates in rendering, compression, and general compute tasks, while the Intel Core i7-10700 holds advantages in specific memory-bound or latency-sensitive operations.

For users prioritizing multi-core rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the stronger choice. The data shows a 50.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (16429 versus 10910) and a 56.6% lead in Geekbench multi-core (7976 versus 5092). The AMD part also wins PassMark multithread by 19.6% (19330 versus 16161). These margins are substantial enough to justify selecting the AMD processor for Cinebench-style tasks.

For users who emphasize data compression or random string sorting, the Intel Core i7-10700 is preferable. It leads by 2.6% in PassMark data compression (252113 versus 245533) and by 21.6% in PassMark random string sorting (31585 versus 24757). The Intel chip also wins 3dmark max threads by 19.5% (6719 versus 5411), which may reflect its higher thread count in certain synthetic loads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the better all-rounder in the recorded metrics. It wins 19 of 25 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench, Geekbench, and 3dmark single/2/4-thread test. Its 176.1% lead in PassMark data encryption (14851 versus 5379) is the largest single margin recorded, indicating a major advantage in cryptographic workloads.

The Intel Core i7-10700 should be chosen when the specific workload aligns with its strengths: data compression, floating-point math, random string sorting, and high-thread-count 3DMark synthetic tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 should be chosen for everything else, especially rendering, integer math, encryption, and single-threaded responsiveness.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1656 versus 1099 for Intel, a 50.7% advantage. Single-core R15 shows 233 versus 155, a 50.3% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core both show 50.6% deltas (6900 versus 4582 and 973 versus 646). Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core repeat the 50.6% pattern (16429 versus 10910 and 2319 versus 1540).

Geekbench results follow the same direction. Multi-core shows a 56.6% lead for AMD (7976 versus 5092), which is the largest multi-core delta in the entire head-to-head set. Single-core Geekbench gives AMD a 35.7% edge (1730 versus 1275).

PassMark tests reveal a mixed picture. AMD wins data encryption by 176.1% (14851 versus 5379), the largest margin anywhere. AMD also wins extended instructions by 6.7% (17236 versus 16160), find prime numbers by 19.1% (56 versus 47), integer math by 3.2% (65001 versus 62988), multithread by 19.6% (19330 versus 16161), physics by 12.8% (896 versus 794), and single-thread by 5.8% (3058 versus 2891).

Intel wins PassMark data compression by 2.6% (252113 versus 245533), floating-point math by 5.2% (38823 versus 36815), and random string sorting by 21.6% (31585 versus 24757). In 3DMark, Intel wins 16-thread by 16.7% (6465 versus 5386), 8-thread by 7.1% (4945 versus 4593), and max-thread by 19.5% (6719 versus 5411). AMD wins 2-thread by 5.1% (1645 versus 1565), 4-thread by 5.2% (3151 versus 2996), and single-thread by 5.4% (836 versus 793).

The pattern is consistent: AMD wins on per-core efficiency and heavily threaded render workloads, while Intel wins on synthetic multi-threaded 3DMark tests and a few PassMark memory or vector-oriented tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, clock speeds, socket, process node, cache layout, memory bandwidth, PCIe specification, integrated graphics, and unlock status.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-10700 offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for AMD and 2.90 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.20 GHz for AMD and 4.80 GHz for Intel. Both have a 65 W TDP.

The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4, while Intel uses Intel Socket 1200. The AMD chip is unlocked for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD part number is 100-000000457, and the Intel part number is SRH6Y.

Memory bandwidth differs: AMD lists 51.2 GB/s, Intel lists 46.9 GB/s. Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC memory. PCIe capability differs: AMD lists Gen 3, while Intel lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present only on Intel, with UHD Graphics 630. The AMD part has no integrated graphics. Intel also has a different cache structure for L2: 256 KB per core versus 512 KB per core for AMD. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 16 MB L3, though the Intel L3 is described as shared.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is stark. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm TSMC process with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-10700 uses Comet Lake architecture, also codename Comet Lake, on Intel's 14 nm process, with no transistor or die size data recorded.

The manufacturing differences help explain the benchmark outcomes. The 7 nm process allows the AMD chip to achieve higher single-thread scores despite a lower boost clock, as seen in the 50.3% to 50.6% single-core Cinebench leads and the 35.7% Geekbench single-core lead. The Intel chip compensates with a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which contributes to wins in some multi-threaded synthetic tests.

Cache architecture differs in L2 capacity: AMD provides 512 KB per core, Intel provides 256 KB per core. L3 is 16 MB for both, but the Intel L3 is explicitly shared across all cores. The AMD L3 is not labeled as shared in the database.

The AMD chip belongs to the Ryzen 5 5000 series, while Intel belongs to Core 10th Gen. Both are active production parts. The AMD release date is April 3, 2022, and the Intel release date is April 29, 2020. The AMD launch MSRP is $159, while no launch MSRP is recorded for Intel.

The integrated graphics difference is a functional architectural feature. Intel's UHD Graphics 630 provides display output capability, which matters for systems without discrete GPUs. AMD's lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory. This is the only major feature where Intel holds a clear advantage beyond specific benchmark tests.