AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 vs Intel Core i7-8809G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8809G records an average benchmark score of 2307, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 records 2246. The Intel part sits 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-10400H and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 in the database, while the AMD part is 0.4% ahead of the Intel Xeon D-1715TER.

Q: How do the two processors compare in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 7766 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, against 7185 for the Intel Core i7-8809G. This represents a 7.5% advantage for the AMD processor, which is consistent with its lead across all six recorded benchmark tests.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8809G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel chip has a higher maximum boost clock by 0.50 GHz, yet it still trails in every single-core benchmark.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-8809G and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 have ECC memory support listed as false in the database, meaning neither chip supports error-correcting code memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 8 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core i7-8809G. The AMD chip also has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-8809G is classified as a Mobile processor and uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is a Desktop processor on the AMD Socket AM4 platform. The AMD chip also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel chip does not.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting different design philosophies from Intel and AMD during their respective release windows. The Intel Core i7-8809G is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 uses the Zen architecture with the Summit Ridge codename, also on a 14 nm process node, but manufactured by GlobalFoundries.

The core configurations are identical on paper: both have 4 cores and 8 threads. However, the cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The Intel chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This 2x difference in L3 capacity likely contributes to the AMD processor's consistent benchmark lead.

The memory controllers also differ, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 explicitly listed as dual-channel, while the Intel part's memory bus configuration is not specified in the database. Both support DDR4 memory, but the AMD chip has a documented dual-channel configuration. The Intel Core i7-8809G includes integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, a notable feature absent from the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, which lists no integrated graphics at all.

The transistor counts and die sizes reveal another difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 contains 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die, while these figures are not recorded for the Intel chip. The AMD processor also carries a part number (YD150BBBM4GAE) and belongs to the 1000 series, while the Intel part has no series or part number listed.

The release dates show the AMD processor arrived first, on 2017-06-28, with the Intel Core i7-8809G following on 2018-01-31. Both are marked as Active in production status, and both have a TDP of 65 watts, making them comparable in power envelope despite their architectural differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a remarkably consistent story, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 winning all six recorded head-to-head tests. The margins are tight but uniform, ranging from 7.3% to 7.6% across the board.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 782 against 724 for Intel, a 7.4% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: AMD at 110, Intel at 102, a 7.3% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD processor extends its multi-core lead to 7.5%, scoring 3261 versus 3017, while the single-core result shows 460 against 425, a 7.6% gap.

The Cinebench R23 results mirror the earlier tests. AMD's multi-core score of 7766 beats Intel's 7185 by 7.5%, and the single-core score of 1096 beats 1014 by the same 7.5% margin. The consistency across render workloads of varying intensity suggests the AMD architecture maintains its advantage regardless of thread utilization.

The Geekbench results, recorded only for the Intel Core i7-8809G, show a multi-core score of 4590 and a single-core score of 1401. These numbers cannot be directly compared to the AMD part since the database does not include Geekbench scores for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, but they provide context for the Intel chip's overall performance profile.

The percentile rankings place both processors in similar territory: the Intel chip sits at the 48th percentile against all CPUs, while the AMD chip sits at the 47th percentile. This near-identical percentile ranking, combined with the consistent benchmark deltas, indicates that the AMD processor's advantage is real but modest, not transformative.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields. The Intel Core i7-8809G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.70 GHz. This means the Intel chip has a 0.50 GHz higher maximum boost frequency, yet the AMD chip still wins every single-core benchmark, suggesting the AMD architecture extracts more instructions per clock at comparable frequencies.

The socket types are entirely different: Intel uses BGA 2270, which is a soldered mobile socket, while AMD uses Socket AM4, a desktop PGA socket. This difference aligns with their market segments, Mobile versus Desktop respectively. The multiplier unlock status also differs, with the AMD chip having an unlocked multiplier and the Intel chip locked.

The cache specifications differ at every level. Intel provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 1.5x the L1, 2x the L2, and 2x the L3 cache compared to the Intel part.

Integrated graphics represent a significant differentiator. The Intel Core i7-8809G includes Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, which is a substantial GPU integrated into the package. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 has no integrated graphics listed, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

The foundry and manufacturing details also differ. Intel fabricates its own chip on its 14 nm process, while AMD uses GlobalFoundries for the same 14 nm node. The AMD chip's transistor count of 4,800 million and die size of 192 mm² are documented, while these metrics are absent for the Intel part. The AMD processor is marked as part of the 1000 series, and its architecture is simply listed as "Zen" with the codename "Zen," while the Intel part is listed as "Kaby Lake" with the codename "Kaby Lake G."

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. It leads in all three Cinebench generations (R15, R20, R23) across both multi-core and single-core tests. The largest margin is 7.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core, and the smallest is 7.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core. This makes the AMD processor the clear choice for any workload that relies on CPU compute, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

The AMD processor also wins on cache capacity, offering double the L3 cache and larger L1 and L2 caches per core. For workloads that benefit from larger cache footprints, such as database operations or scientific computing, this advantage could amplify the raw benchmark lead. The unlocked multiplier on the AMD chip also provides flexibility for users who want to adjust frequencies, though the database does not record any overclocking results.

The Intel Core i7-8809G wins in the integrated graphics category, as it is the only chip with a GPU, specifically the Radeon RX Vega M GH. For systems that need a compact solution without a separate graphics card, the Intel part offers functionality the AMD chip cannot match. The Intel chip also has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which could theoretically benefit single-threaded workloads, though the benchmark data shows the AMD chip still wins in single-core tests despite the lower boost frequency.

The Intel chip also wins on market placement for mobile applications. Its BGA 2270 socket and Mobile segment classification make it suitable for laptops and compact all-in-one systems, whereas the AMD desktop chip requires a standard AM4 motherboard. The Intel part's release date of 2018-01-31 also makes it a newer design compared to the AMD chip's 2017-06-28 release.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 for pure CPU performance. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with consistent 7.3% to 7.6% margins, and it does so across multiple Cinebench versions that exercise different workload intensities. The AMD chip's larger cache hierarchy, higher base clock, and unlocked multiplier reinforce this performance advantage. For users building a desktop system where CPU throughput matters most, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the better choice based on the recorded measurements.

The Intel Core i7-8809G serves a different purpose. Its integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics and mobile socket make it the appropriate pick for compact systems or laptops where a discrete GPU is impractical. The higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz and slightly better average benchmark score of 2307 versus 2246 do not translate into wins in the head-to-head tests, but they show the Intel chip is competitive in the broader CPU landscape, sitting 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-10400H.

The percentile rankings tell a nuanced story. Both processors sit within one percentile point of each other (48th for Intel, 47th for AMD), and both are surrounded by similar rivals in the database. The Intel Core i7-8809G's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2134 at 0.5% behind and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 at 0.6% behind, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500's rivals include the Intel Core i7-10710U and Intel Core i5-9400. This indicates that neither chip is dramatically better than its immediate competition.

The choice ultimately depends on the use case. For desktop workloads where CPU performance is paramount, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the data-backed winner. For mobile or compact systems requiring integrated graphics, the Intel Core i7-8809G provides functionality the AMD chip lacks. The benchmark results are unambiguous: six wins for AMD, zero for Intel, but the specification differences mean the Intel chip still occupies a valid niche in the market.