AMD Ryzen 5 8500G vs AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G are both six-core, twelve-thread processors, but they belong to different generations and platforms. The database records show a clear performance hierarchy, with the 8500G winning all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. However, the 4655GE retains relevance through its much lower power envelope and platform compatibility. The data indicates that these are not direct competitors in the usual sense; rather, they serve different system priorities.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head results are one-sided: the Ryzen 5 8500G wins every single recorded test. There are zero wins for the 4655GE across the 17 benchmark comparisons. The 8500G dominates in every category, from single-threaded workloads to multi-threaded rendering and encryption tasks. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 8500G scores 18,368 versus 12,045 for the 4655GE, a 34.4% gap. In single-core R23, the 8500G scores 2,593 versus 1,700, again a 34.4% difference.

Despite the complete loss in raw performance, the 4655GE has one clear advantage: power consumption. Its TDP is 35 watts, while the 8500G is rated at 65 watts. This makes the 4655GE suitable for systems where thermal output and energy draw are the primary constraints, such as compact or passively cooled builds. The 4655GE also uses DDR4 memory and the AM4 socket, which may be preferable for users upgrading an existing platform without changing the motherboard or RAM. The 8500G, by contrast, requires the AM5 socket and DDR5 memory, representing a newer and more expensive platform investment, though its launch MSRP is $179.

The 8500G wins on every performance axis, but the 4655GE wins on efficiency and platform continuity. The recorded average benchmark score for the 4655GE is 20,900, while the 8500G scores 20,425, placing both at the 74th percentile among all CPUs. The 4655GE actually has a slightly higher average score, but this is an artifact of the benchmark suite; the head-to-head results are unambiguous.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The 4655GE uses Zen 2, codenamed Renoir, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The 8500G uses Zen 4, codenamed Phoenix2, on a 4 nm process, also from TSMC. It packs 20,900 million transistors into a smaller 137 mm² die. This density increase is a major factor in the 8500G’s performance lead.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The 4655GE has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The 8500G doubles the L2 to 1 MB per core and doubles the shared L3 to 16 MB. The larger cache hierarchy directly contributes to the 8500G’s higher single-threaded scores, as more data can reside closer to the cores.

Integrated graphics also differ. The 4655GE includes Radeon Vega 7, while the 8500G features Radeon 740M. The database does not include specific graphics benchmarks, but the architectural generation gap implies a substantial difference in iGPU capability, with the 8500G’s newer RDNA-based solution expected to be more capable. Memory support diverges as well: the 4655GE supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the 8500G supports DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s. Both are dual-channel and both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs. The 4655GE offers Gen 3 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the 8500G provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The 8500G’s newer PCIe standard allows faster data transfer to compatible devices, though with fewer lanes. The 8500G is also classified as a mobile market segment part, despite its desktop AM5 socket, whereas the 4655GE is explicitly a desktop part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 5 8500G boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 4655GE boosts to 4.20 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 4655GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the 8500G has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the 4655GE and the 8500G support ECC memory.

Q: Which socket does each processor use?

A: The 4655GE uses AMD Socket AM4, while the 8500G uses AMD Socket AM5.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity on each?

A: The 4655GE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, and the 8500G has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How much faster is the 8500G in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 8500G scores 18,368 versus 12,045 for the 4655GE, which is a 34.4% advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The 4655GE has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the 8500G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. TDP is 35 watts for the 4655GE and 65 watts for the 8500G.

The socket differs: AM4 for the 4655GE, AM5 for the 8500G. The process node is 7 nm for the 4655GE and 4 nm for the 8500G. Transistor count is 9,800 million for the 4655GE versus 20,900 million for the 8500G, and die size is 156 mm² versus 137 mm².

Cache differs in L2 and L3: the 4655GE has 512 KB L2 per core and 8 MB shared L3, while the 8500G has 1 MB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 for the 4655GE and DDR5 for the 8500G, with bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 with 20 lanes for the 4655GE and Gen 4 with 14 lanes for the 8500G. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7 versus Radeon 740M. The market segment is Desktop for the 4655GE and Mobile for the 8500G. The release dates are 2022-11-10 for the 4655GE and 2024-01-07 for the 8500G. The 8500G has a launch MSRP of $179, while the 4655GE has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern: the 8500G is faster in every test, but the margin varies by workload. The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 8500G scores 87 versus 28 for the 4655GE, a 67.8% difference. This suggests a massive advantage in integer-heavy, latency-sensitive tasks. PassMark physics shows a 55.1% gap, with scores of 1,318 versus 592, indicating a strong lead in simulated physics workloads.

The smallest gaps are in memory-related tasks. PassMark data compression shows a 22.8% difference, with scores of 250,197 versus 193,067. Data encryption shows an 18.5% gap, with scores of 14,220 versus 11,586. These smaller deltas suggest that memory bandwidth and cache capacity help, but the core architecture advantage is more pronounced in compute-bound tests.

Cinebench results are nearly uniform across versions. R15 multi-core shows 1,851 versus 1,213, a 34.5% gap. R20 multi-core shows 7,714 versus 5,058, a 34.4% gap. R23 multi-core shows 18,368 versus 12,045, a 34.4% gap. Single-core results are similarly consistent: R15 shows 261 versus 171, R20 shows 1,089 versus 714, and R23 shows 2,593 versus 1,700, all around a 34.4% difference. This uniformity indicates that the architectural IPC advantage is consistent across all Cinebench versions.

PassMark integer math shows a 23.1% gap, with scores of 63,123 versus 48,513. Floating point math shows a 28.5% gap, with scores of 39,074 versus 27,947. Extended instructions show a 38.3% gap, with scores of 19,098 versus 11,792. Random string sorting shows a 27.3% gap, with scores of 29,407 versus 21,382. The single-thread PassMark score is 3,891 versus 2,660, a 31.6% gap, and the multithread score is 21,610 versus 14,171, a 34.4% gap.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 5 8500G is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, with advantages ranging from 18.5% in data encryption to 67.8% in prime number computation. For users who prioritize raw performance, whether in single-threaded or multi-threaded workloads, the 8500G is the clear choice.

However, the 4655GE is not without purpose. Its 35 watt TDP is nearly half that of the 8500G, making it a better fit for power-constrained systems. It also uses the AM4 socket and DDR4 memory, which may appeal to those with existing platforms or specific compatibility requirements. The 4655GE’s average benchmark score of 20,900 is actually slightly higher than the 8500G’s 20,425, though this is due to the different benchmark sets recorded.

The 8500G’s architectural advantages are substantial: a newer 4 nm node, double the L3 cache, higher clocks, and faster memory support. Its launch MSRP is $179. The 4655GE offers no performance wins but provides a lower-power alternative on an older platform. The choice depends on whether the user values performance above all else, in which case the 8500G is the only option, or whether efficiency and platform continuity take precedence, in which case the 4655GE remains viable. The recorded data shows no scenario where the 4655GE outperforms the 8500G.