AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT vs Intel Core i7-1280P Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT and Intel Core i7-1280P are fundamentally different processors, and the benchmark data reflects that split. The Ryzen 5 5500GT, a desktop chip on Socket AM4, wins 6 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the mobile Intel Core i7-1280P wins 11. However, the nature of those wins is starkly divided: AMD dominates in Cinebench R23 and several Passmark workloads, while Intel wins across most other tests, including all single-thread metrics. The data suggests the 5500GT is the stronger choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering, while the i7-1280P holds a broad advantage in general processing and physics-based tasks. The Ryzen 5 5500GT also carries a higher percentile ranking (79th vs 78th) and a higher average benchmark score (26,748 vs 26,469), indicating slightly better overall standing despite losing more individual tests.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for two distinct buyers. For anyone building a desktop system and prioritizing long-form rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is the definitive pick. Its 35.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,848 vs 11,666) and 35.5% lead in single-core (2,237 vs 1,651) are decisive, showing a massive advantage in the latest Cinebench iteration. The 5500GT also wins in Passmark data compression (243,904 vs 220,621), data encryption (14,754 vs 13,179), extended instructions (17,027 vs 12,897), and random string sorting (24,583 vs 24,308). These wins point to a chip that handles complex, mixed workloads exceptionally well. The i7-1280P, conversely, is the better option for mobile users who need a jack-of-all-trades. Its 11 wins include critical ones like Passmark physics (1,411 vs 840, a 40.5% advantage), floating point math (51,355 vs 36,694), and integer math (75,485 vs 64,218). It also wins all single-thread tests, including Passmark single thread (3,316 vs 3,066) and Cinebench R15 single-core (238 vs 225). The i7-1280P is the stronger all-rounder for everyday tasks and physics simulations, but the 5500GT is the specialist for rendering. The 5500GT's 79th percentile versus the i7-1280P's 78th, combined with its higher average score, suggests that for pure performance per benchmark, AMD edges out Intel, but the margin is thin.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is significantly faster, scoring 15,848 compared to the Intel Core i7-1280P's 11,666. This represents a 35.8% advantage for the AMD chip.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-1280P win any single-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins all single-thread tests. It leads in Cinebench R15 single-core (238 vs 225) and Passmark single thread (3,316 vs 3,066), a 7.5% advantage in the latter.

Q: What is the most significant performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Passmark physics, where the Intel Core i7-1280P scores 1,411 against the AMD's 840, a 40.5% difference. The AMD's biggest win is a 35.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: How do they compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 26,748, while the Intel Core i7-1280P averages 26,469. The AMD chip also ranks higher, at the 79th percentile versus the Intel's 78th.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1280P has significantly more, with 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the AMD chip wins by a small margin?

A: Yes, in Passmark random string sorting, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT wins by just 1.1%, scoring 24,583 versus the Intel's 24,308. This is the closest margin of any test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, using a 7 nm process at TSMC. It features a monolithic design with 6 cores and 12 threads, and its cache layout is 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 16 MB L3 cache. This is a mature, power-efficient desktop design. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-1280P uses the Alder Lake architecture, codenamed Alder Lake-P, on Intel's 10 nm process. It is a hybrid design with 14 cores and 20 threads, and its cache is larger: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a 24 MB shared L3. The Intel chip also has a larger die size at 217 mm² compared to AMD's 180 mm², and it uses a different transistor count, though the Intel figure is not listed. The process node difference is significant: 7 nm versus 10 nm, which typically implies better power efficiency for the AMD chip. The i7-1280P also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 5500GT only supports DDR4. Both lack 3D V-Cache and ECC memory support.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals a clear contrast in target platforms. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is a desktop processor with a TDP of 65 watts, a base clock of 3.60 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. It uses the AMD Socket AM4 and has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel Core i7-1280P is a mobile processor with a TDP of just 28 watts, a base clock of 1800.00 MHz, and a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz. It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and has a locked multiplier. The memory bandwidth is listed for the AMD chip at 51.2 GB/s, but no figure is given for the Intel chip. In terms of PCIe, the AMD chip supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip supports the newer Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Their integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD chip has Radeon Vega 7, while the Intel chip has Iris Xe 96EU. The release dates also differ, with the Intel chip launching on 2022-02-22 and the AMD chip on 2024-01-07. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $125, but no price is listed for the Intel chip. The part numbers are also distinct: 100-000001489 for AMD and SRLD5 for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a clear split in workload dominance. The most striking result is in Cinebench R23, where the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT wins multi-core by 35.8% (15,848 vs 11,666) and single-core by 35.5% (2,237 vs 1,651). These are the largest wins for AMD. The AMD chip also shows strong wins in Passmark extended instructions (17,027 vs 12,897, a 32% lead), data encryption (14,754 vs 13,179, a 12% lead), and data compression (243,904 vs 220,621, a 10.6% lead). The random string sorting win for AMD is minimal at 1.1% (24,583 vs 24,308). On the other side, the Intel Core i7-1280P's biggest win is in Passmark physics, where it scores 1,411 against 840, a 40.5% advantage. It also wins Passmark floating point math by 28.5% (51,355 vs 36,694) and Passmark find prime numbers by 37.2% (86 vs 54). In integer math, the Intel chip leads by 14.9% (75,485 vs 64,218). The Intel chip wins all Cinebench R15 and R20 tests, though by smaller margins: R15 multi-core by 24.4% (2,112 vs 1,597), R15 single-core by 5.5% (238 vs 225), R20 multi-core by 6.9% (7,153 vs 6,656), and R20 single-core by 6.9% (1,009 vs 939). The Passmark multithread test goes to Intel by 5.8% (20,168 vs 19,000), and Passmark single thread goes to Intel by 7.5% (3,316 vs 3,066). The data suggests that the AMD chip excels in newer Cinebench versions and specific data-heavy tasks, while the Intel chip dominates in physics, floating-point, and integer math, as well as older Cinebench tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is the clear winner for rendering and content creation workloads. Its massive 35.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 35.5% lead in single-core make it the superior choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and other tasks that rely heavily on the latest Cinebench engine. The wins in Passmark data compression (10.6% ahead), data encryption (12% ahead), and extended instructions (32% ahead) also suggest a strong capability in file archiving, security-related tasks, and workloads using specialized CPU instruction sets. The 5500GT also edges out the i7-1280P in random string sorting, indicating a slight advantage in sorting algorithms. For a desktop user building a system for rendering or data-heavy applications, the 5500GT is the clear winner. The Intel Core i7-1280P, however, is the winner for physics-based calculations and general math processing. Its 40.5% lead in Passmark physics is enormous, and it also wins floating point math by 28.5% and integer math by 14.9%. The win in find prime numbers by 37.2% further suggests a strong performance in encryption and computational tasks. The i7-1280P also wins all single-thread tests, making it better for general responsiveness and single-threaded applications. Its consistent wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 indicate strong performance in those specific benchmarks, which may be more relevant for some older software. For a mobile user who needs a versatile chip for a wide range of tasks, including physics simulations and general productivity, the i7-1280P is the better fit. The split is clean: AMD for rendering, Intel for math and physics.