AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 vs Intel Core i7-10710U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-10710U and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 are separated by a razor-thin margin in the benchmark database, with the Intel part holding a 0.1% average score advantage (2248 vs 2246). Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel chip wins every round, but the largest victory is a mere 0.1% delta. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. The data indicates these are functionally equivalent in raw compute, making the choice dependent on platform characteristics rather than benchmark outcomes.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-10710U is the faster processor in every recorded test, yet the margins are so small they border on statistical noise. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 7774 against the AMD's 7766, a 0.1% difference. Single-core results are even tighter, with both chips scoring 110 in Cinebench R15 single-core and 460 in Cinebench R20 single-core. The Intel chip wins Cinebench R15 multi-core 783 to 782 and Cinebench R20 multi-core 3265 to 3261. The data shows a consistent, though negligible, Intel advantage.

The architectural split is stark. The Intel part is a 6-core, 12-thread mobile processor with a 25W TDP, designed for laptops. The AMD part is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor with a 65W TDP. Despite having two fewer cores, the AMD chip nearly matches the Intel part's multi-threaded scores. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD's 7766 is only 8 points behind the Intel's 7774. This suggests the AMD's higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 1.10 GHz) and larger L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB) compensate for its core deficit.

For a mobile user, the Intel Core i7-10710U is the pragmatic choice. It delivers equivalent performance to the AMD desktop part while consuming 25W versus 65W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops. The Intel chip also includes UHD Graphics integrated graphics, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. For a desktop builder, the AMD part offers an unlocked multiplier (the Intel is locked) and an active production status, while the Intel is end-of-life. The AMD also supports DDR4 memory exclusively, while the Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4.

The verdict is straightforward: if you need a mobile processor with integrated graphics and lower power draw, the Intel Core i7-10710U is the only option that makes sense. If you are building a desktop and value an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the better pick. On pure benchmark scores, the Intel wins, but the 0.1% margins are not meaningful for real-world applications.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-10710U wins all three multi-core tests: Cinebench R15 (783 vs 782), Cinebench R20 (3265 vs 3261), and Cinebench R23 (7774 vs 7766). The largest margin is 0.1%.

Q: Do the single-core scores differ between the two?

A: No. Both processors score identically in Cinebench R15 single-core (110) and Cinebench R20 single-core (460). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel leads by a single point (1097 vs 1096).

Q: Why does the AMD processor have fewer cores but similar performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 4 cores and 8 threads versus the Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads. However, the AMD runs at a 3.50 GHz base clock (vs 1.10 GHz) and features a 16 MB shared L3 cache (vs 12 MB), which helps close the gap in multi-threaded tests.

Q: Which processor is better for a laptop?

A: The Intel Core i7-10710U is designed for mobile use with a 25W TDP and includes UHD Graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is a desktop part with a 65W TDP and no integrated graphics, making it unsuitable for a typical laptop build.

Q: Can the AMD processor be overclocked?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-10710U does not.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-10710U is end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 remains active. The AMD was released on 2017-06-28, and the Intel was released on 2019-08-20.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-10710U is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-U, using Intel's 14 nm process node. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The cache hierarchy is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory and includes UHD Graphics. The Intel part is a mobile processor with a 25W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by GlobalFoundries. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The cache configuration is different: 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. It supports only DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD part is a desktop processor with a 65W TDP, using the AMD Socket AM4. It has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip has 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die, while the Intel die size and transistor count are not listed.

The core count difference is the most significant architectural divergence. The Intel chip has 50% more cores (6 vs 4) and 50% more threads (12 vs 8). However, the AMD chip compensates with a substantially higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 1.10 GHz) and a 33% larger L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB). The Intel chip's boost clock is notably higher (4.70 GHz vs 3.70 GHz), which explains its single-core parity despite the lower base clock.

Memory support also differs. The Intel chip accepts both DDR3 and DDR4, giving it flexibility for older platforms, while the AMD chip is DDR4-only with a dual-channel memory bus. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics, whereas the AMD chip has no iGPU, a critical distinction for systems without a discrete graphics card.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals a clear split between mobile and desktop design goals. The Intel Core i7-10710U offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 offers 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel base clock is 1.10 GHz, far lower than the AMD's 3.50 GHz, but the Intel boost clock reaches 4.70 GHz versus the AMD's 3.70 GHz. The TDP differs by 40W: the Intel is rated at 25W, the AMD at 65W.

Cache sizes are larger on the AMD: 96 KB L1 per core versus 64 KB, 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB, and 16 MB shared L3 versus 12 MB. The Intel supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the AMD supports only DDR4 with a dual-channel bus. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel is locked. The Intel includes UHD Graphics; the AMD has no integrated graphics.

The socket and platform differ completely: Intel BGA 1440 for the mobile chip, AMD Socket AM4 for the desktop chip. The market segments are mobile and desktop, respectively. The Intel is end-of-life, while the AMD is active. The AMD has a part number (YD150BBBM4GAE), while the Intel does not list one. The Intel was released on 2019-08-20, and the AMD on 2017-06-28.

Manufacturing details differ as well. Both use a 14 nm process, but the Intel is made by Intel, while the AMD is made by GlobalFoundries. The AMD has a documented transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 192 mm²; the Intel data does not include these figures.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent, though minimal, Intel advantage across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 783 against the AMD's 782, a 0.1% delta. Single-core R15 is a dead heat at 110 for both. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Intel leads multi-core 3265 to 3261 (0.1%), and single-core is again tied at 460. In the most demanding test, Cinebench R23, the Intel wins multi-core 7774 to 7766 (0.1%) and single-core 1097 to 1096 (0.1%).

The Intel chip wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are minuscule. The largest delta is 0.1%, which appears in four of the six tests. The other two tests (R15 single-core and R20 single-core) are exact ties. This pattern indicates that the two processors deliver virtually identical performance in synthetic rendering workloads, despite their different core counts and clock speeds.

The AMD's performance is notable given its hardware. With only 4 cores and 8 threads, it matches a 6-core, 12-thread Intel processor within 0.1% in multi-core tests. This is likely due to the AMD's higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 1.10 GHz) and larger L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB). In single-core tests, the Intel's higher boost clock (4.70 GHz vs 3.70 GHz) gives it a negligible edge, but the scores are effectively equal.

The average benchmark scores confirm the parity: the Intel averages 2248, while the AMD averages 2246, a 0.1% difference. Both processors rank in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals list includes the Intel Core i5-9400 (2254, -0.3% vs Intel), the Intel Xeon D-1715TER (2238, 0.5% vs Intel), and the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2259, -0.5% vs Intel). This cluster of scores, spanning 2238 to 2259, shows that both chips sit in a crowded mid-range performance band where differences are within a single percentage point.