AMD Ryzen 5 8640U vs AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a surprisingly split picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640U wins 12 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE takes only 3. But the margins tell a more complex story than the raw win count suggests.

The 8640U's most dominant victory comes in PassMark physics, where it scores 1033 against 648, a 59.4% advantage. This is a massive gap that points to fundamentally different performance characteristics. Prime number finding also heavily favors the mobile chip: 69 versus 49, a 40.8% lead. Random string sorting shows an 18.1% edge (28066 vs 23769), while Cinebench R15 single-core delivers a 16.4% win (256 vs 220). The 8640U also leads in PassMark multithread (20322 vs 18057, 12.5% ahead), PassMark single-thread (3534 vs 3240, 9.1% ahead), Cinebench R15 multi-core (1663 vs 1562, 6.5% ahead), floating point math (40330 vs 38204, 5.6% ahead), extended instructions (16500 vs 15714, 5% ahead), integer math (68051 vs 67582, 0.7% ahead), and data compression (230080 vs 228037, 0.9% ahead).

The 5655GE's wins, while fewer, are dramatic. In Cinebench R23 multi-core it scores 15504 versus 10433, a 32.7% lead. Its single-core R23 result of 2188 beats 1651 by 24.5%. Data encryption shows a modest 3.4% advantage (14509 vs 14013). These are not small margins; the R23 results in particular suggest the desktop part sustains higher performance under certain rendering workloads.

The overall average benchmark scores corroborate the head-to-head picture. The 8640U averages 26462 across all recorded tests, while the 5655GE averages 25880. Both processors sit at the 78th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning their overall standing is similar despite the different distribution of wins. The 8640U's closest rivals by average score include the Intel Core i9-12900HK (26469, 0% delta) and Intel Core i7-1280P (26469, 0% delta), while the 5655GE sits near the Intel Core i7-11700K (25812, 0.3% delta) and AMD Ryzen 5 230 (25782, 0.4% delta).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use different manufacturing processes. The 8640U is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC and packs 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The 5655GE belongs to the 5000 series with Zen 3 architecture, codename Cezanne, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It contains 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The transistor density difference is stark: the 8640U crams more than twice as many transistors into a slightly smaller package.

Both processors feature 6 cores and 12 threads, so thread count is identical. Cache configurations differ in L2. The 8640U has 1 MB of L2 per core, while the 5655GE has 512 KB per core. L1 cache is the same at 64 KB per core, and both share 16 MB of L3 cache. Clock speeds also diverge. The 8640U has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 5655GE runs at 3.40 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The mobile chip's higher clocks, combined with its newer architecture, explain many of its benchmark wins.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The 8640U uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The 5655GE uses DDR4, also dual-channel, with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. That is a 38.4 GB/s difference in theoretical memory bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the 5655GE but not on the 8640U. PCIe generation also differs: the 8640U offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the 5655GE provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The 8640U carries a Radeon 760M, while the 5655GE uses Radeon Vega 7. Power envelopes are not directly comparable in the data, but the 5655GE is listed with a TDP of 65, while the 8640U is listed with 28. The sockets confirm their intended markets: the 8640U uses AMD Socket FP8 (mobile), and the 5655GE uses AMD Socket AM4 (desktop). The 5655GE released later in the database timeline, with a release date in 2024, while the 8640U appeared in late 2023.

Where Each One Wins

The 8640U dominates in workloads that stress single-thread speed, memory bandwidth, and certain compute patterns. Its 40.8% lead in prime number finding and 59.4% lead in physics suggest it handles mathematically intensive, latency-sensitive tasks far better. Random string sorting, a memory-heavy operation, shows an 18.1% advantage, likely reflecting the higher DDR5 bandwidth. Data compression and encryption are close, but the 8640U takes compression by 0.9% while the 5655GE takes encryption by 3.4%. Floating point math and extended instructions both favor the 8640U by around 5%.

The 5655GE's wins are concentrated in Cinebench workloads. Its R23 multi-core score of 15504 is 32.7% higher, and its R23 single-core score of 2188 is 24.5% higher. These results are curious because the 8640U wins the R15 versions of both tests. The divergence between R15 and R23 suggests the two processors respond differently to the newer benchmark's rendering patterns, possibly due to sustained power delivery or thermal behavior. The 5655GE's desktop form factor, with its higher TDP, may allow longer sustained boosts during extended renders, while the 8640U's mobile design may throttle or adjust clocks differently.

For everyday use, the data suggests the 8640U is the more versatile chip. It wins the aggregate PassMark multithread and single-thread tests, which are broader measures of general performance. The 5655GE, however, appears better suited for specific rendering tasks where Cinebench R23 performance matters, such as 3D modeling or video rendering in software that scales similarly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8640U boosts to 4.90 GHz, compared to 4.40 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE.

Q: How much faster is the 8640U in PassMark physics?

A: The 8640U scores 1033 versus 648 for the 5655GE, a 59.4% advantage.

Q: Does the 5655GE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the 5655GE supports ECC memory. The 8640U does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The 8640U provides 89.6 GB/s with DDR5, while the 5655GE provides 51.2 GB/s with DDR4.

Q: Which chip wins Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 5655GE wins with a score of 15504, which is 32.7% higher than the 8640U's 10433.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the 8640U and the 5655GE are at the 78th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 5 8640U is the better all-around processor. It wins 12 of 15 direct comparisons, holds a higher average benchmark score (26462 vs 25880), and delivers decisive wins in physics, prime number finding, and multithread workloads. Its DDR5 memory support and higher clocks give it an edge in memory-sensitive and single-thread tasks. For users who need broad general performance, the 8640U is the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE should be selected by users whose workloads align with its specific strengths. Its Cinebench R23 results are exceptional: 32.7% ahead in multi-core and 24.5% ahead in single-core. If rendering with Cinebench R23 or similar workloads dominates the use case, the 5655GE is clearly superior. Its ECC memory support also matters for systems requiring error correction, a feature the 8640U lacks. The 5655GE's desktop socket and higher TDP may offer better sustained performance in long-running tasks, though the benchmark data alone cannot confirm this.

The overall percentile rankings being identical (78th) suggests that for mixed usage, users would notice little difference in general responsiveness. The choice depends on workload priorities. The 8640U is the pick for diverse, everyday computing and memory-heavy applications. The 5655GE is the pick for rendering-focused workflows and systems needing ECC memory. Both are active production parts, so availability should not be a concern.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 8640U | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE |

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

| Series | 8000 series | 5000 series |

| Base clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 28 | 65 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Cezanne |

| Process node | 4 nm | 7 nm |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | 10,700 million |

| Die size | 178 mm² | 180 mm² |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 760M | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2023-12-05 | 2024-05-06 |

| Part number | 100-000001324 (FP7r2), 100-000001376 (FP7), 100-000001313 (FP8) | 100-000001514 |