AMD Ryzen 5 8500G vs Intel Core i3-1220P Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins every single head-to-head comparison recorded in the database, 17 wins to 0 for the Intel Core i3-1220P. There is no workload category where the Intel part takes the lead, whether in single-threaded, multi-threaded, integer, floating-point, or encryption tests.

The Ryzen 5 8500G dominates in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 18,368 against 13,314 for the i3-1220P, a 27.5% advantage. PassMark Multi-Thread shows an even larger gap: 21,610 versus 14,481, a 33% difference. The Ryzen also wins in PassMark Physics by 51.7%, scoring 1,318 against 637. These results indicate that rendering, simulation, and other heavily threaded tasks will finish markedly faster on the AMD processor.

Single-threaded performance also favors the Ryzen 5 8500G, though by a smaller margin. PassMark Single Thread shows 3,891 against 3,362, a 13.6% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,593 versus 1,879, a 27.5% advantage. The gap narrows in floating-point math, where the Ryzen scores 39,074 versus 37,294, only 4.6% ahead. This suggests the Intel chip is comparatively less disadvantaged in pure floating-point throughput than in other areas.

The largest Intel deficit appears in PassMark Find Prime Numbers, where the Ryzen scores 87 against 33, a 62.1% difference. Extended instructions also show a massive gap: 19,098 versus 10,051, a 47.4% deficit for Intel. These results point to the Ryzen's superior execution of complex instruction sequences and integer-heavy algorithms.

The Ryzen 5 8500G also wins in data compression (250,197 versus 180,528, a 27.8% lead), random string sorting (29,407 versus 20,846, a 29.1% lead), and data encryption (14,220 versus 10,923, a 23.2% lead). The Intel Core i3-1220P does not hold any recorded advantage in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i3-1220P uses Alder Lake architecture built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G uses Zen 4 architecture built on TSMC's 4 nm process. The Ryzen also carries the Phoenix2 codename, indicating a different design lineage than the Alder Lake-P based Intel part.

Core counts differ significantly. The Intel chip has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having 4 fewer physical cores, the Ryzen 5 8500G still wins every benchmark, indicating that its per-core efficiency and higher clock speeds overcome the core-count deficit.

Clock speeds favor AMD substantially. The Ryzen 5 8500G has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core i3-1220P has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Ryzen's higher boost clock, combined with its newer architecture, explains much of its single-threaded advantage.

Cache configurations also differ. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen's larger L3 cache (16 MB versus 12 MB) likely contributes to its performance in data-heavy workloads like compression and sorting.

Power and platform requirements differ as well. The Intel i3-1220P has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Ryzen 5 8500G has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel chip uses the BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD chip uses Socket AM5. The Ryzen supports DDR5 memory exclusively with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Ryzen also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not.

The AMD processor uses 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while the Intel chip's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. The Ryzen includes Radeon 740M integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 64EU. Both support PCIe Gen 4, but the Intel chip offers 20 CPU lanes versus 14 for the AMD chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent AMD dominance. In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen scores 1,851 multi-core and 261 single-core, while the Intel chip scores 1,341 and 189 respectively, both 27.6% behind. In Cinebench R20, the Ryzen scores 7,714 multi-core and 1,089 single-core, with the Intel chip at 5,591 and 789, both 27.5% behind. In Cinebench R23, the Ryzen scores 18,368 multi-core and 2,593 single-core, while the Intel chip scores 13,314 and 1,879, both 27.5% behind.

PassMark Multi-Thread gives the Ryzen a 33% lead (21,610 versus 14,481), while PassMark Single Thread shows a 13.6% lead (3,891 versus 3,362). The single-thread gap is notably smaller than the multi-thread gap, suggesting that the Intel chip's 10-core configuration helps it in lightly threaded tasks but cannot compensate in fully threaded workloads.

The widest single-test gap is in PassMark Find Prime Numbers, where the Ryzen leads by 62.1% (87 versus 33). PassMark Extended Instructions shows a 47.4% lead for AMD (19,098 versus 10,051). PassMark Physics shows a 51.7% lead (1,318 versus 637). These three tests represent the largest performance differentials in the entire comparison.

The narrowest gap is in PassMark Floating Point Math, where the Ryzen leads by only 4.6% (39,074 versus 37,294). This is the only test where the Intel chip comes close to matching the AMD part. PassMark Integer Math shows a 15.2% advantage for AMD (63,123 versus 53,507).

Data-oriented workloads show consistent AMD wins: data compression by 27.8% (250,197 versus 180,528), random string sorting by 29.1% (29,407 versus 20,846), and data encryption by 23.2% (14,220 versus 10,923). These results indicate that the Ryzen's architecture handles memory-intensive and data-manipulation tasks more efficiently.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the faster processor across every recorded benchmark. The Intel Core i3-1220P does not win a single test in the database, and its best relative performance comes in floating-point math, where it trails by only 4.6%. Everywhere else, the deficit ranges from 13.6% to 62.1%.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, the choice is clear. The Ryzen 5 8500G delivers 27.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core scores and 33% higher PassMark Multi-Thread scores. Rendering, video encoding, and compilation workloads will complete noticeably faster on the AMD chip.

For users who care most about single-threaded responsiveness, the Ryzen still wins, but by a smaller margin. PassMark Single Thread shows a 13.6% lead, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 27.5% lead. The Intel chip's lower TDP of 28 watts versus 65 watts may appeal to power-constrained designs, but the benchmark data shows no performance scenario where that lower power consumption translates into a win.

The Ryzen 5 8500G also offers platform advantages: ECC memory support, a larger 16 MB L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth at 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip counters with more cores (10 versus 6), more PCIe lanes (20 versus 14), and support for both DDR4 and DDR5. But on raw measured performance, the AMD processor is the definitive winner. The launch MSRP of the Ryzen 5 8500G is $179.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins all multi-core tests. It leads by 27.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,368 versus 13,314) and by 33% in PassMark Multi-Thread (21,610 versus 14,481).

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-1220P win any benchmarks?

A: No. The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins all 17.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-1220P has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite fewer cores, the AMD chip wins every benchmark.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two?

A: PassMark Floating Point Math shows the smallest gap, with the Ryzen leading by 4.6% (39,074 versus 37,294).

Q: What is the largest performance difference?

A: PassMark Find Prime Numbers shows the largest gap, with the Ryzen leading by 62.1% (87 versus 33).

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR5. The Intel chip also supports DDR4, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 exclusively and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1220P | AMD Ryzen 5 8500G |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-P | Phoenix2 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 20,900 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 137 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | Radeon 740M |

| Release Date | 2022-02-22 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $179 |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | No |