AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS vs Intel Core i7-8700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8700K and AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, but they target entirely different markets: one is a desktop chip from 2017, the other a mobile chip from 2023. The benchmark data reveals a clear split, with the AMD mobile part dominating in most workloads, while the older Intel chip holds specific wins in multi-core rendering and sorting tasks. The Ryzen 5 7535HS wins 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, yet the i7-8700K posts a massive 33.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, showing that generational efficiency and desktop power budgets can still overcome raw core-count advantages in certain scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS wins most multi-threaded tests, including a 24.2% lead in PassMark Multi-Thread (17914 vs 13576) and a 20.3% lead in Cinebench R15 Multi-Core (1457 vs 1161). However, the Intel Core i7-8700K leads Cinebench R23 Multi-Core by 33.8% (11527 vs 8613), making the result workload-dependent.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS wins PassMark Single-Thread by 12.9% (3123 vs 2720), Geekbench Single-Core by 4.8% (1654 vs 1575), and Cinebench R15 Single-Core by 29.7% (232 vs 163). The i7-8700K counters with a 12.6% win in Cinebench R23 Single-Core (1627 vs 1445).

Q: Which chip handles data encryption better?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS is dramatically faster, scoring 13656 in PassMark Data Encryption versus 4776 for the Intel Core i7-8700K, a 65% advantage. This is the largest single delta in the entire comparison.

Q: What are the TDP differences, and what does that imply?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700K has a TDP of 95W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS is rated at 35W. This indicates the AMD chip is designed for mobile platforms, whereas the Intel part is a desktop processor with a much higher power envelope.

Q: Do they have the same memory support?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-8700K supports DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS supports DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part also uses dual-channel memory, same as Intel.

Q: Which one has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS has an average benchmark score of 19047, slightly lower than the Intel Core i7-8700K's 19238. Both processors sit at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for two distinct use cases. If you are assembling a desktop system and prioritize raw multi-core rendering in Cinebench R23, the Intel Core i7-8700K is the better choice, offering a 33.8% lead over the AMD chip in that specific test. It also wins on random string sorting by 10.9%, which could matter for certain data-processing tasks.

For virtually everything else, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS is the superior performer, despite its much lower 35W TDP. It wins 14 of 17 benchmarks, including decisive margins in integer math (26.4% ahead), data encryption (65% ahead), and floating-point math (19.7% ahead). The AMD chip also holds a slight edge in Geekbench multi-core (7354 vs 7140) and single-core (1654 vs 1575). Given that it's a mobile processor with active production status, the Ryzen 5 7535HS is the pick for anyone building a laptop or a compact, power-efficient system. The i7-8700K is end-of-life and only makes sense for a specific desktop build where Cinebench R23 multi-core performance is the primary goal.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS dominates the head-to-head results, winning 14 of 17 comparisons. The most lopsided victory is in PassMark Data Encryption, where AMD scores 13656 against Intel's 4776, a 65% gap that shows a massive efficiency advantage in cryptographic workloads. PassMark Integer Math also goes heavily AMD's way, with 62372 vs 45892, a 26.4% lead. Similarly, PassMark Multi-Thread shows AMD ahead at 17914 vs 13576, a 24.2% difference. In Cinebench R15, the AMD chip wins both multi-core (1457 vs 1161, 20.3%) and single-core (232 vs 163, 29.7%). Geekbench results are closer but still favor AMD: multi-core 7354 vs 7140 (2.9%) and single-core 1654 vs 1575 (4.8%).

The Intel Core i7-8700K's wins are fewer but significant. Its standout victory is Cinebench R23 Multi-Core, where it scores 11527 against AMD's 8613, a 33.8% margin. It also wins Cinebench R23 Single-Core by 12.6% (1627 vs 1445) and PassMark Random String Sorting by 10.9% (25270 vs 22781). These three wins show that the older Intel architecture still has strengths in newer Cinebench versions and specific sorting algorithms, likely due to higher boost clocks and desktop-level power delivery.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both have 6 cores and 12 threads. The key differences lie elsewhere. The Intel Core i7-8700K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.55 GHz boost. TDP is a major divergence: Intel pulls 95W while AMD sips 35W. The Intel part uses an LGA 1151 socket, while AMD uses an FP7 socket. Memory support differs, with Intel on DDR4 (42.7 GB/s) and AMD on DDR5 (76.8 GB/s). PCIe generations also differ: Intel uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes, AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The i7-8700K is unlocked for overclocking; the Ryzen 5 7535HS is locked. Finally, the Intel chip is end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $359, while the AMD part is active and has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i7-8700K is built on Coffee Lake, a 14 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 154 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS uses Zen 3+ (Rembrandt-R), fabricated on a 6 nm process by TSMC, with a larger die at 208 mm². Cache configurations differ: Intel provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. AMD also has 64 KB L1 per core but doubles L2 to 512 KB per core and offers 16 MB of shared L3. Integrated graphics are present on both: Intel has UHD Graphics 630, while AMD has Radeon 660M. The foundry difference (Intel vs TSMC) and the process node gap (14 nm vs 6 nm) explain much of the efficiency difference, with AMD delivering higher performance at less than half the TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS is the clear winner for general computing and mobile workloads. It wins in integer math, floating-point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics calculations, and single-thread performance across PassMark and Geekbench. Its 65% lead in data encryption and 26.4% lead in integer math make it the better choice for compression, encryption, and number-crunching tasks. For mobile users, the 35W TDP combined with DDR5 support (76.8 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) means it can sustain high performance without the thermal and power demands of the desktop Intel chip. The Radeon 660M integrated graphics also give it a modern iGPU advantage over the older UHD Graphics 630.

The Intel Core i7-8700K wins in a narrow but important set of scenarios. Its 33.8% lead in Cinebench R23 Multi-Core is the largest single win, making it the better part for content creators who rely on that specific renderer. It also wins Cinebench R23 Single-Core by 12.6% and Random String Sorting by 10.9%, indicating strengths in certain sorting and single-threaded render tasks. For desktop users with access to a 95W power budget and DDR4 memory, the i7-8700K can still deliver competitive multi-core rendering performance, but its 14 nm architecture and end-of-life status mean it trails the AMD chip in nearly every other measurable workload.