AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split between two mobile processors with different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U wins 11 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 320 claims 6 wins. The AMD part delivers a decisive advantage in multi-threaded workloads, with its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 15456 coming in 149.4% ahead of the Intel processor's 6197. That margin is the largest recorded between the two chips in any test.

The Intel Core 5 320 takes the lead in several single-thread and specialized workloads. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4045 beats the AMD's 3563 by 11.9%, and its Cinebench R15 single-core result of 276 is 20.7% higher than the AMD's 219. However, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U counters with a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 916, which is 18.8% above the Intel's 771, and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2182 that leads by 13.3%.

The aggregate data places the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U at the 76th percentile among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 23709, while the Intel Core 5 320 sits at the 72nd percentile with an average score of 18023. The AMD processor's nearest rival by average score is the Intel Core i5-11500 at 23718, a 0% difference, whereas the Intel Core 5 320's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994, a 0.2% gap. The data indicates that the AMD chip competes in a higher performance tier overall.

For users prioritizing parallel workloads, sustained multi-core performance, and higher memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is the stronger selection. For workloads that favor lighter single-thread throughput, prime number calculations, floating-point math, and physics simulation, the Intel Core 5 320 delivers better recorded results.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U dominates in multi-threaded rendering and computation. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score of 1557 is 47.7% ahead of the Intel's 1054. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the AMD scores 6491 versus 5462, a 18.8% margin. The Cinebench R23 multicore gap of 149.4% is the standout result. Integer math performance also favors AMD heavily, with a PassMark integer math score of 56738 versus 32323, a 75.5% advantage. Data compression, random string sorting, encryption, and extended instruction workloads all go to the AMD part, with margins of 38.3%, 37.5%, 12.2%, and 16.2% respectively. The PassMark multithread score of 18218 beats the Intel's 15450 by 17.9%.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins in passmark find prime numbers with a score of 110 versus 66, a 40% advantage. Its floating-point math score of 42440 is 17.8% above the AMD's 34865. Physics simulation shows Intel ahead by 19.5%, with a score of 1221 against 983. The PassMark single-thread score of 4045 beats the AMD's 3563 by 11.9%, and the Cinebench R15 single-core result of 276 leads by 20.7%.

The pattern suggests the Intel processor uses its higher single-thread capability in specific math-oriented tasks, while the AMD processor leverages simultaneous multithreading and a larger shared cache to pull far ahead in sustained parallel work.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

Core and thread configurations differ substantially. The AMD processor provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel processor provides 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD's simultaneous multithreading explains much of its multi-core advantage. Base clocks also differ: the AMD runs at 3.20 GHz with a 4.90 GHz boost, while the Intel runs at 1.50 GHz base with a 4.60 GHz boost. The Intel part's lower base clock contributes to its lower power envelope of 15 W, compared to the AMD's 28 W TDP.

Cache layouts are notably different. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 320 has 192 KB of total L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD's larger L3 cache benefits multi-threaded workloads that reuse shared data.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes, while the Intel offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: the AMD uses Radeon 740M, while the Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD is available on AMD Socket FP7, whereas the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The AMD's release date is recorded as 2024-04-15, while the Intel's is 2026-04-15. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $340; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has an average benchmark score of 23709, which places it at the 76th percentile. The Intel Core 5 320 has an average score of 18023, placing it at the 72nd percentile.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U wins with a score of 15456, which is 149.4% higher than the Intel Core 5 320's 6197.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 320 win any single-core benchmark?

A: Yes. The Intel Core 5 320 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 276 against 219 (20.7% higher) and PassMark single-thread with 4045 against 3563 (11.9% higher). However, the AMD wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 916 against 771 (18.8% higher) and Cinebench R23 single-core with 2182 against 1926 (13.3% higher).

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 320 supports single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 320 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the 15456 score is 149.4% above the Intel's 6197. This result reflects the combined effect of 12 threads versus 6 and the larger 16 MB L3 cache. The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 47.7% margin with 1557 against 1054. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the AMD scores 6491 against 5462, an 18.8% advantage.

PassMark integer math heavily favors the AMD part, with 56738 versus 32323, a 75.5% margin. Data compression shows a 38.3% lead for AMD at 205703 versus 148779. Random string sorting gives AMD a 37.5% edge with 24797 against 18038. Extended instructions favor AMD by 16.2% (15410 versus 13262), data encryption by 12.2% (12319 versus 10984), and multithread by 17.9% (18218 versus 15450).

The Intel Core 5 320's largest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where its 110 score beats the AMD's 66 by 40%. Floating-point math goes to Intel by 17.8% with 42440 against 34865. Physics simulation favors Intel by 19.5% with 1221 against 983. PassMark single-thread gives Intel an 11.9% margin (4045 versus 3563), and Cinebench R15 single-core gives Intel a 20.7% margin (276 versus 219).

The Cinebench R20 single-core result breaks the pattern: the AMD wins 916 to 771, an 18.8% margin. The Cinebench R23 single-core test also favors the AMD, with 2182 versus 1926, a 13.3% margin. These conflicting single-core results indicate that the Intel chip performs better in the older R15 test, while the AMD chip performs better in the R20 and R23 tests.

Overall, the head-to-head data shows the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U winning 11 tests and the Intel Core 5 320 winning 6. The AMD's wins tend to be larger in magnitude, particularly in multi-core and integer workloads, while the Intel's wins are concentrated in specific math and physics tasks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clock speeds are 3.20 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel; boost clocks are 4.90 GHz and 4.60 GHz, respectively.

Thermal design power differs: the AMD is rated at 28 W, the Intel at 15 W. The AMD uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm from its own foundry. The AMD has 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die; no transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Cache configurations differ in structure. The AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel has 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB total L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: the AMD supports DDR5 dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC, while the Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe lanes differ: AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes, Intel offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 740M for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) for Intel.

Release dates differ by two years: the AMD is dated 2024-04-15, the Intel 2026-04-15. The Intel carries a launch MSRP of $340, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.