AMD Ryzen 5 8500G vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G and Intel Core 5 315 are both six-core mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their capabilities. The AMD chip wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel chip takes 4. The Ryzen 5 8500G posts an average benchmark score of 20425, placing it in the 74th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 315 averages 18188, landing in the 72nd percentile. The data indicates that the Ryzen 5 8500G is the stronger overall performer for multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads, while the Core 5 315 shows specific advantages in floating-point math and single-threaded PassMark tests.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the superior choice for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18368 is 41.5% higher than the Intel Core 5 315's 12981. The PassMark multithread score confirms this trend, with the AMD chip scoring 21610 versus 15272, a 41.5% advantage. This processor also dominates integer math, scoring 63123 against the Intel chip's 31690, a 99.2% lead.

The Intel Core 5 315, however, holds its own in specific scenarios. It wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4021 versus 3891, a 3.2% margin. It also leads in floating-point math (42441 vs 39074, a 7.9% edge) and prime number finding (112 vs 87, a 22.3% advantage). These wins suggest the Intel chip has a different execution strength, but they do not offset the AMD processor's broader dominance across the majority of tests.

For users running heavily threaded applications like video rendering, code compilation, or data compression, the Ryzen 5 8500G is the clear pick based on the recorded scores. For workloads that stress single-threaded performance or specialized math operations, the Core 5 315 shows measurable advantages, though they are narrower in scope. The data does not support a scenario where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip in overall average score, as the Ryzen 5 8500G leads by 2237 points on average.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its victories are concentrated in multi-core and integer-heavy tests. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core variants go to the AMD chip. The R23 multi-core score of 18368 leads by 41.5%, and the R23 single-core score of 2593 leads by 41.5%. The PassMark data compression test shows a 71.2% lead (250197 vs 146143), and random string sorting shows a 67.6% edge (29407 vs 17551). Data encryption also favors AMD, with a 27.9% advantage (14220 vs 11119). Extended instructions, a test of CPU instruction set efficiency, favors AMD by 45.3% (19098 vs 13143). The PassMark physics test goes to AMD with 1318 versus 1163, a 13.3% lead.

The Intel Core 5 315 wins four tests. PassMark find prime numbers favors Intel by 22.3% (112 vs 87). Floating-point math favors Intel by 7.9% (42441 vs 39074). The PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, which record the same score of 4021, both favor Intel over AMD's 3891, a 3.2% margin. These wins indicate that the Intel chip has a specialized execution unit advantage in certain math operations, but the overall pattern shows AMD leading in the majority of workloads, especially those that scale with thread count and cache.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Phoenix2 codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. It integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning the AMD chip can process twice as many threads simultaneously. This thread advantage likely contributes to its multi-core benchmark wins.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's larger shared L3 cache (16 MB vs 6 MB) may explain its strong performance in data compression and random string sorting, which benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support also differs. The AMD chip supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, providing 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel memory bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s. The AMD chip's higher memory bandwidth likely supports its multi-threaded performance. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The AMD chip provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). This difference could affect expandability in systems using the CPU's direct PCIe connections. The AMD chip features the Radeon 740M integrated graphics, while the Intel chip features Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD chip is listed with a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 15 watts, indicating a significant difference in power envelope. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel chip has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has an average benchmark score of 20425, while the Intel Core 5 315 has an average of 18188. The AMD chip also ranks in the 74th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 72nd percentile for the Intel chip.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G scores 18368 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 41.5% higher than the Intel Core 5 315's 12981. The same 41.5% delta appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: In which tests does the Intel Core 5 315 outperform the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G?

A: The Intel chip wins four tests: PassMark find prime numbers (112 vs 87, a 22.3% lead), PassMark floating-point math (42441 vs 39074, a 7.9% lead), and PassMark single-thread/singlethread (4021 vs 3891, a 3.2% lead).

Q: What is the difference in thread counts between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD chip's thread count is double that of the Intel chip.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the AMD chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's L3 is 10 MB larger.

Q: Do the two processors support the same memory bandwidth?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, delivering 83.2 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 63123 against the Intel Core 5 315's 31690, a 99.2% lead. This is nearly double the Intel chip's score and indicates a substantial advantage in integer arithmetic operations. PassMark data compression also shows a wide gap: the AMD chip scores 250197 versus 146143, a 71.2% lead. Random string sorting follows with a 67.6% advantage (29407 vs 17551). Extended instructions favor the AMD chip by 45.3% (19098 vs 13143). Data encryption goes to AMD by 27.9% (14220 vs 11119). The PassMark physics test shows a 13.3% AMD lead (1318 vs 1163).

The Cinebench suite consistently shows a 41.5% to 41.8% lead for the AMD chip across all six tests. Cinebench R15 multi-core: 1851 vs 1308 (41.5%). Cinebench R15 single-core: 261 vs 184 (41.8%). Cinebench R20 multi-core: 7714 vs 5452 (41.5%). Cinebench R20 single-core: 1089 vs 769 (41.6%). Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18368 vs 12981 (41.5%). Cinebench R23 single-core: 2593 vs 1832 (41.5%). PassMark multithread also shows a 41.5% AMD lead (21610 vs 15272).

The Intel Core 5 315's largest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 112 against AMD's 87, a 22.3% lead. PassMark floating-point math goes to Intel by 7.9% (42441 vs 39074). The PassMark single-thread tests show Intel at 4021 versus AMD's 3891, a 3.2% margin. These wins are notable but concentrated in specific math operations. The AMD chip wins 13 of the 17 tests, and its average score of 20425 exceeds the Intel chip's 18188 by 2237 points.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G and Intel Core 5 315 differ in nearly every major specification. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks differ: AMD runs at 3.50 GHz, Intel at 1.50 GHz. Boost clocks differ: AMD reaches 5.00 GHz, Intel reaches 4.40 GHz. TDP differs significantly: AMD is rated at 65 watts, Intel at 15 watts. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1516.

Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm from its own foundry. The AMD chip's die size is 137 mm² with 20,900 million transistors; the Intel chip has no recorded die size or transistor count. Cache layouts differ: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, while Intel has 192 KB L1 total and 2.5 MB L2 total. Shared L3 is 16 MB on AMD versus 6 MB on Intel.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon 740M, Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD chip launched at $179 as its launch MSRP, while the Intel chip launched at $340 as its launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers. The AMD chip was released on 2024-01-07, while the Intel chip was released on 2026-04-15.