AMD Ryzen 5 8500G vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and AMD Ryzen 5 8500G are near-identical in overall average benchmark score, differing by a mere 0.1% (20454 vs 20425). Despite this statistical tie, the benchmark data reveals two sharply distinct processors: the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G dominates multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads, winning 13 of 19 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V secures decisive victories in specific single-threaded, floating-point, and physics scenarios. The choice between them hinges on workload type, not overall capability.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the clear multi-core champion. Its most dramatic win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 18368 against the Intel's 10301, a 43.9% advantage. This pattern repeats across nearly every throughput-oriented test: Cinebench R15 multi-core (1851 vs 1596.5, +13.7%), Cinebench R20 multi-core (7714 vs 6739, +12.6%), PassMark multi-thread (21610 vs 18887, +12.6%), and PassMark integer math (63123 vs 42889, +32.1%). Data compression is another AMD stronghold, with the 8500G scoring 250197 versus 176686, a 29.4% lead. Random string sorting also favors AMD by 26.6% (29407 vs 21580).

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins in more specialized areas. Its most extraordinary result is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 185 versus 87—a 112.6% advantage, more than double the AMD's output. The Intel chip also leads in floating-point math by 46.8% (57372 vs 39074) and in physics by 18.7% (1565 vs 1318). In single-threaded tests, the results are split: Intel wins PassMark single-thread by a slim 3.3% (4018 vs 3891) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.2% (285 vs 261), but AMD wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 12.7% (1089 vs 951) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 27.8% (2593 vs 1872). The AMD processor also leads in 3DMark tests across all thread counts, though those benchmarks are not part of the head-to-head dataset provided.

Architecture Differences

The two processors embody fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V uses the Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process node, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G uses Zen 4 on a 4 nm TSMC node. Intel's chip packs 8 cores and 8 threads with no simultaneous multithreading, whereas AMD's Phoenix2 design provides 6 cores and 12 threads, leveraging SMT to double thread count. This explains AMD's multi-core dominance: 12 threads versus 8, even with fewer physical cores.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Intel chip allocates 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, but a larger 16 MB shared L3. The AMD also discloses 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die; Intel does not list these figures. Clock speeds favor AMD: a 3.50 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost versus Intel's 2.20 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. Thermal design power tells a dramatic story—the Intel chip is rated at 17 W TDP, while the AMD is rated at 65 W TDP, a 48 W gap that reflects their different market positioning.

Memory and I/O also diverge. Intel supports LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, while AMD supports DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s. AMD offers ECC memory support; Intel does not. PCIe generations differ: Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel pairs with Arc 140V, AMD with Radeon 740M. Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 2833 versus AMD Socket AM5. The AMD chip carries a launch MSRP of $179; Intel has no launch MSRP listed.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: choose the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G for any workload that scales with threads, integer math, or data throughput. Its 43.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 32.1% lead in integer math make it the superior choice for content creation, compilation, and general productivity. The AMD chip also wins the overall average benchmark score comparison by a hair (20425 vs 20454, effectively tied at 0.1% delta) while winning 13 of 19 head-to-head tests.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V for workloads that demand floating-point precision or prime-number computation. Its 112.6% advantage in find prime numbers and 46.8% lead in floating-point math are exceptional—these are not marginal wins but category-defining strengths. The Intel chip also edges out AMD in PassMark single-thread (4018 vs 3891) and physics (1565 vs 1318), suggesting better performance in certain simulation or scientific workloads. Its dramatically lower 17 W TDP versus 65 W also makes it the efficiency choice, though no power consumption benchmarks are provided to quantify the real-world impact.

For most users, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the safer pick given its breadth of wins across 13 tests. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is the specialist—unmatched in specific math domains but trailing badly in general multi-core performance. The 0.1% average score difference masks a chasm in workload suitability.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V edges out the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G by 0.1%, with an average benchmark score of 20454 versus 20425. This is a statistical tie in practical terms.

Q: How many head-to-head benchmarks does each processor win?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G wins 13 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins 6.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V scores 185 versus 87 for the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G, a 112.6% advantage for Intel.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V supports LPDDR5X memory with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G supports DDR5 memory with 83.2 GB/s. Both use dual-channel configurations.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has 12 threads from 6 cores, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has 8 threads from 8 cores. The AMD chip does not use hyperthreading; it relies on simultaneous multithreading to achieve 12 threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is rated at 17 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is rated at 65 W TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G's most dominant performance comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 18368 against Intel's 10301—a 43.9% margin that represents the largest multi-core gap in the dataset. PassMark integer math tells a similar story: AMD scores 63123 versus 42889, a 32.1% lead. Data compression favors AMD by 29.4% (250197 vs 176686), and random string sorting by 26.6% (29407 vs 21580). Extended instructions also go AMD's way by 22.9% (19098 vs 14717). Even in Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD wins by 12.7% (1089 vs 951), and Geekbench single-core by 10.8% (2354 vs 2100). The AMD chip also leads in multi-thread (21610 vs 18887, +12.6%), Cinebench R20 multi-core (7714 vs 6739, +12.6%), Cinebench R15 multi-core (1851 vs 1596.5, +13.7%), data encryption (14220 vs 13534, +4.8%), and Geekbench multi-core (9444 vs 9325, +1.3%).

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V wins its share with remarkable margins. The find prime numbers test is a blowout: 185 versus 87, a 112.6% advantage. Floating-point math goes Intel's way by 46.8% (57372 vs 39074). Physics favors Intel by 18.7% (1565 vs 1318). In single-threaded tests, Intel wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.2% (285 vs 261) and PassMark single-thread by 3.3% (4018 vs 3891). The one multi-core test Intel wins is none—its other victories are all in single-threaded or specialized math domains.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | AMD Ryzen 5 8500G |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 65 W |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes | Gen 4, 14 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc 140V | Radeon 740M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Transistors | Not listed | 20,900 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 137 mm² |