AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 vs Intel Core i7-8559U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 wins every single head-to-head comparison, and it does so with near-uniform margins. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD part leads by either 11.1% or 11.2% — a level of consistency that suggests a fundamental performance-per-clock and sustained-throughput advantage rather than test-specific quirks.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 782 against the Core i7-8559U's 703, a delta of 11.2%. The single-core result in the same suite shows a 110 versus 99 split, an 11.1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds: 3261 versus 2933 in multicore (11.2%) and 460 versus 414 in single-core (11.1%). The newest Cinebench R23 iteration repeats the outcome, with the AMD chip posting 7766 versus 6984 in multicore and 1096 versus 986 in single-core — again 11.2% and 11.2%, respectively.

What is notable here is that the Intel part's higher boost clock — 4.50 GHz versus 3.70 GHz — does not translate into a single-core victory. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500's single-core advantage in every Cinebench generation indicates that its lower clock speed is offset by other architectural efficiencies, or that the Intel mobile chip's boost behavior in sustained workloads does not match its rated maximum. The win tally is decisive: 6 wins for AMD, 0 for Intel.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 sits at 2246, while the Core i7-8559U trails at 2225. Both processors occupy the same 47th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically peers in the broader market, yet the gap in direct comparison is consistent and non-trivial. The nearest rivals for the AMD part — the Intel Core i7-10710U at 2248 (-0.1%), Core i5-9400 at 2254 (-0.4%), Xeon D-1715TER at 2238 (+0.4%), and Core i7-1068NG7 at 2259 (-0.6%) — all cluster within roughly 1% of its average score. The Intel i7-8559U's nearest rivals — Core i7-5775C at 2224 (0%), Xeon E5-4648 v3 at 2227 (-0.1%), Xeon D-1548 at 2231 (-0.3%), and Xeon D-1715TER at 2238 (-0.6%) — show a similar tight grouping. The 21-point average score difference between the two reviewed chips is within the noise of their respective rival clusters, which makes the consistent 11% head-to-head margins all the more striking.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge at almost every architectural level, despite both being built on a 14 nm process node. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, from the 1000 series, fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i7-8559U uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically Kaby Lake-R, from the Core i7 generation, fabricated by Intel's own fabs. Both are 14 nm parts, but the transistor counts and die sizes tell different stories: AMD packs 4,800 million transistors onto a 192 mm² die, while Intel's die measures 123 mm² with no transistor figure listed in the data.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Core i7-8559U provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. That means the AMD part has 50% more L1 per core, 100% more L2 per core, and 100% more total L3. For workloads that benefit from large working sets, this cache advantage could explain part of the consistent performance lead.

Clock speeds and power targets reveal the fundamental design philosophy split. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 runs at a 3.50 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost, with a 65 W TDP. The Core i7-8559U operates at a 2.70 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, with a 28 W TDP. The Intel part is clearly engineered for mobile efficiency — its 28 W TDP is less than half of AMD's 65 W — yet it still loses every benchmark. This suggests that the Ryzen's higher sustained clock floor and larger caches deliver more consistent throughput, while the Intel chip's peak boost is likely short-lived under thermal or power constraints typical of thin-and-light laptops.

Socket and platform differences are absolute: AMD uses Socket AM4, a desktop-oriented socket with a user-replaceable CPU, while Intel uses BGA 1356, a soldered mobile package. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part does not. Memory support is DDR4 for both, but AMD specifies dual-channel while Intel's memory bus details are not listed. Neither chip supports ECC memory. The Intel part integrates Iris Pro Plus graphics; the AMD part has no integrated graphics listed. The AMD chip is a desktop market segment part; the Intel chip is a mobile segment part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 110 versus 99 (11.1% ahead). In R20, it scores 460 versus 414 (11.1% ahead). In R23, it scores 1096 versus 986 (11.2% ahead). This is despite the Intel chip having a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 leads by 11.2% in all three Cinebench multi-core tests: 782 versus 703 in R15, 3261 versus 2933 in R20, and 7766 versus 6984 in R23. Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the advantage comes from per-core efficiency rather than core count.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel Core i7-8559U has a TDP of 28 W. The Intel part is designed for mobile use with significantly lower power draw, yet it still trails in all measured benchmarks.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall market positioning?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has an average benchmark score of 2246, and the Core i7-8559U has 2225. Their nearest rival clusters are also similar, with the AMD chip's closest rival being the Intel Core i7-10710U at 2248 (-0.1%) and the Intel chip's closest rival being the Core i7-5775C at 2224 (0%).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR4 memory. The AMD chip is specified as dual-channel, while the Intel chip's memory bus configuration is not listed in the available data. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a larger cache at every level: 96 KB L1 per core versus 64 KB, 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB, and 16 MB shared L3 versus 8 MB. This means the AMD chip has double the L2 and L3 capacity.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a 3.50 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core i7-8559U has a 2.70 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. TDP differs by more than half: 65 W for AMD versus 28 W for Intel. The AMD chip uses Socket AM4 with an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip uses BGA 1356 with a locked multiplier.

Manufacturing details diverge as well. Both are 14 nm, but AMD's process is from GlobalFoundries with 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die, while Intel's is from Intel with no transistor count listed and a 123 mm² die. Cache sizes are smaller on the Intel side: 64 KB L1 per core versus 96 KB, 256 KB L2 per core versus 512 KB, and 8 MB L3 versus 16 MB.

The Intel chip includes integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics; the AMD chip has no integrated graphics listed. The market segments differ: AMD is Desktop, Intel is Mobile. Release dates are also different, with the AMD part launching on 2017-06-28 and the Intel part on 2018-04-04. The AMD chip has a part number (YD150BBBM4GAE); the Intel chip does not have one listed. Both support DDR4, and neither supports ECC. The Intel chip has a Geekbench multicore score of 4293 and single-core score of 1384, which are tests not present in the AMD chip's benchmark list.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for performance-focused buyers: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. Its 11.1–11.2% lead across all Cinebench tests, spanning three generations of the suite, is consistent and substantial. The AMD chip achieves this with a lower boost clock but higher base clock, larger caches, and a significantly higher TDP.

The Intel Core i7-8559U is the appropriate choice in one specific scenario: it is a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP, designed for laptops where power draw and thermals are the primary constraints. Its 4.50 GHz boost clock and integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics make it a more self-contained mobile package. However, the benchmark results show that this efficiency comes at a measurable performance cost.

For desktop users who can accommodate a 65 W TDP and an AM4 socket, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 offers superior performance across the board. Its unlocked multiplier also provides overclocking headroom that the locked Intel chip lacks. The Intel part's advantages are limited to its mobile form factor and integrated graphics — neither of which appears in the benchmark scores.

In terms of market standing, both chips sit at the 47th percentile, and their average scores (2246 versus 2225) are close enough that the overall averages suggest near-parity. But direct head-to-head testing tells a different story: the AMD chip wins every single test, and the margin is stable across all workload types. The verdict is straightforward — if performance is the priority and power envelope is flexible, choose the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500. If mobile integration and low power draw are non-negotiable, the Intel Core i7-8559U is the only viable option, with the understanding that it will lag in raw compute throughput.