AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS vs AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS reaches 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX tops out at 4.80 GHz. The Ryzen 5 PRO also starts from a higher base of 4.30 GHz compared to 3.30 GHz on the Ryzen 9.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Ryzen 9 5980HX scores 19,850 versus 19,742 for the Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS, a lead of 0.5%. Despite having two fewer cores, the newer Zen 4 architecture keeps the Ryzen 5 PRO within striking distance.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS has 1 MB of L2 cache per core, double the 512 KB per core found on the Ryzen 9 5980HX. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache and 64 KB of L1 cache per core.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS supports DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 31% higher than the 68.3 GB/s available on the Ryzen 9 5980HX with its DDR4 support.

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The Ryzen 9 5980HX wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS wins 7. The Ryzen 9's victories are mostly in multi-threaded and integer workloads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO dominates in single-thread and physics tests.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Ryzen 9 5980HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS does not. The Ryzen 5 PRO does support ECC memory, a feature absent on the Ryzen 9.

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Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads. The die size is 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS uses the newer Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm node. It has 6 cores and 12 threads on a slightly smaller 178 mm² die, but with far more transistors at 25,000 million. The transistor density increase reflects the architectural leap between generations.

Cache layouts differ notably. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of L3, but the Ryzen 5 PRO doubles L2 to 1 MB per core versus 512 KB on the Ryzen 9. The memory subsystem also diverges: the Ryzen 9 uses DDR4 with dual-channel 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 5 PRO moves to DDR5 with dual-channel 89.6 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 PRO also adds ECC memory support, which the Ryzen 9 lacks.

PCIe connectivity is another generational step. The Ryzen 9 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Ryzen 5 PRO offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. The sockets differ as well: the Ryzen 9 uses AMD Socket FP6, the Ryzen 5 PRO uses AMD Socket FP7. Integrated graphics move from Radeon Vega 8 on the Ryzen 9 to Radeon 760M on the Ryzen 5 PRO. The Ryzen 9 has an unlocked multiplier; the Ryzen 5 PRO is locked. Release dates are far apart: January 2021 for the Ryzen 9 versus April 2024 for the Ryzen 5 PRO.

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Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a remarkably tight contest. Across R15, R20, and R23, the Ryzen 9 5980HX wins every multi-core and single-core round, but by margins of only 0.5% to 0.7%. In R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 scores 2,000 versus 1,989 for the Ryzen 5 PRO, a 0.6% edge. Single-core R15 goes 282 to 280, a 0.7% lead. R20 multi-core is 8,337 versus 8,291 (0.6%), and single-core is 1,176 versus 1,170 (0.5%). R23 multi-core sees 19,850 against 19,742 (0.5%), and single-core 2,802 versus 2,787 (0.5%). The pattern is consistent: the older 8-core part retains a slim overall lead, but the 6-core Zen 4 chip is close enough that architectural efficiency nearly compensates for the two-core deficit.

The PassMark suite tells a more split story. The Ryzen 9 5980HX dominates in integer math with 89,772 versus 72,740, a 23.4% advantage. Data compression also favors the Ryzen 9 heavily: 310,694 versus 265,826, a 16.9% lead. Data encryption goes to the Ryzen 9 at 19,221 versus 17,387, a 10.5% margin. Floating point math prefers the Ryzen 9 as well, 50,223 versus 45,481, a 10.4% gap.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS strikes back in several tests. Single-thread performance is its strongest win: 3,858 versus 3,326, a 13.8% advantage. Physics results favor the Ryzen 5 PRO at 1,208 versus 881, a 27.1% swing. Find prime numbers shows the Ryzen 5 PRO at 73 versus 53, a 27.4% improvement. Random string sorting goes to the Ryzen 5 PRO, 35,472 versus 32,238, a 9.1% lead. Multi-thread PassMark is nearly even, with the Ryzen 5 PRO taking 23,569 versus 23,356, a 0.9% edge. Extended instructions are essentially tied: 21,212 versus 21,209, a 0% difference.

The overall benchmark average tells a balanced story. The Ryzen 9 5980HX sits at an average score of 31,495, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS averages 30,879. Both processors land at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen 9's nearest rivals are the Intel Core 7 240H at 31,483 (0% delta), Intel Core Ultra 5 225H at 31,508 (0% delta), and Intel Core i5-13500 at 31,510 (0% delta). The Ryzen 5 PRO's closest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F at 30,746 (0.4% delta), Intel Core i7-13700TE at 31,028 (-0.5% delta), and AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS at 31,074 (-0.6% delta).

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Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 4 nm |

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

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 178 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB per core | 1 MB per core |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Support | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Radeon 760M |

| Unlocked Multiplier | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2021-01-11 | 2024-04-15 |

Both chips share the same 45 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, 64 KB L1 per core, 16 MB shared L3 cache, and the AMD manufacturer label. The Ryzen 9 5980HX belongs to the 5000 series and the Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS to the 8000 series, reflecting their generational positions.

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The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX wins the majority of head-to-head tests, 10 out of 17, and holds the higher average benchmark score at 31,495 versus 30,879. Its victories in integer math (23.4% ahead), data compression (16.9% ahead), and data encryption (10.5% ahead) make it the stronger choice for compute-heavy workloads that scale with core count and raw throughput. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration clearly pays off in these scenarios, even against a newer architecture.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS, however, demonstrates clear strengths of its own. Single-thread performance is 13.8% higher, physics results are 27.1% better, and prime number finding is 27.4% faster. These outcomes align with its higher base and boost clocks and the Zen 4 efficiency gains. For workloads that depend on single-core speed or lighter parallel tasks, the Ryzen 5 PRO is the better fit. Its memory bandwidth advantage, 89.6 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s, and PCIe Gen 4 support also position it well for modern platform features.

The Cinebench results are nearly identical between the two, with the Ryzen 9 leading by margins under 1% across all six tests. This suggests that for mainstream rendering or encoding tasks, either processor delivers comparable outcomes. The Ryzen 5 PRO's two fewer cores are offset by its architectural improvements and higher clocks.

The Ryzen 9 5980HX is the pick for users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, integer-heavy calculations, and data compression or encryption workloads. It also offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS is the pick for users prioritizing single-thread speed, physics simulations, ECC memory support, and a newer platform with DDR5 and PCIe Gen 4. Its locked multiplier is a trade-off, but the higher base clock of 4.30 GHz and boost of 5.00 GHz compensate in bursty workloads.

Both processors sit at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals are separated by less than 0.6% in average score. The choice ultimately comes down to workload profile rather than overall capability. The database shows two well-matched mobile processors from different AMD generations, each excelling in distinct areas.