AMD Ryzen 7 1700 vs Intel Core i5-1145GRE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1145GRE and AMD Ryzen 7 1700 occupy the same overall performance percentile (45th), with average benchmark scores of 2025 and 2015 respectively, yet they are fundamentally different processors for different jobs. The data shows the Ryzen 7 1700 wins both head-to-head benchmarks decisively, but the Intel chip is a mobile part with a much higher boost clock and newer process node. Choose the Ryzen 7 1700 for raw multi-threaded throughput in a desktop, and the Core i5-1145GRE only when the integrated graphics and mobile form factor are non-negotiable, as its compute performance trails significantly.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is the faster processor in every shared test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen scores 1414 against the Intel’s 705, a delta of -50.1% meaning the Intel chip is barely half as fast in that workload. The single-core result is closer but still favors AMD: 147 versus 99, a -32.7% deficit for Intel. There are zero wins for the Core i5-1145GRE across the head-to-head benchmarks, so the verdict for raw performance is simple: the Ryzen 7 1700 wins outright.

However, the decision is not purely about speed. The Core i5-1145GRE is a 28W mobile part with Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU integrated, while the Ryzen 7 1700 is a 65W desktop chip with no integrated graphics at all. If you need a system that runs without a discrete GPU, the Intel part is the only viable choice from this pair, despite its slower compute scores. The Ryzen 7 1700 also has an unlocked multiplier, making it the choice for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. For builders who prioritize multi-core rendering or compilation, the Ryzen 7 1700 is the clear pick; for compact, low-power systems with iGPU requirements, the Core i5-1145GRE has a purpose, but its performance is severely limited relative to the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-1145GRE is built on Tiger Lake-U, using Intel’s 10 nm process at 144 mm² die size, with 4 cores and 8 threads. Its architecture is Willow Cove-U, a mobile-first design with a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 uses the original Zen architecture (Summit Ridge), fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process with a much larger 213 mm² die and 4,800 million transistors. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Cache layouts differ notably. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a larger 16 MB shared L3. The Ryzen’s larger L3 cache and double core count are traditional advantages for multi-threaded workloads. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the AMD part supports only DDR4, though both use a dual-channel memory bus. The Ryzen 7 1700 has a specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Intel part lists no such figure. PCIe support also differs: Intel offers Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), giving the AMD part more expansion bandwidth in absolute terms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is limited to two Cinebench tests, but both show a dominant AMD win. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 1414, which is double the Intel’s 705. The delta of -50.1% means the Intel chip performs at less than half the multi-threaded level of the AMD part. This is expected given the Ryzen has 8 cores and 16 threads versus Intel’s 4 cores and 8 threads, but the magnitude is still striking.

In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 147 versus Intel’s 99, a delta of -32.7%. This is notable because the Intel chip has a much higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz on the AMD part, yet still loses by nearly a third. The older Zen architecture’s single-thread performance is clearly superior in this test, despite the newer process node and higher clocks on the Intel side. The data shows no other shared benchmarks, so these two results define the entire head-to-head comparison: AMD wins both, with no Intel victories.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1145GRE | AMD Ryzen 7 1700 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1500 MHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Zen |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 213 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 4,800 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2017-03-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $362 | $329 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The most consequential differences are core count, TDP, and integrated graphics. The Ryzen 7 1700 has double the cores and threads, which explains its multicore dominance. The Intel chip uses a quarter of the TDP (28W vs 65W), making it suitable for thin-and-light systems. The Ryzen has no iGPU, requiring a discrete graphics card, while the Intel part includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The AMD chip also offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, and its memory bandwidth is specified at 42.7 GB/s, though the Intel part’s is not listed.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins decisively. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1414 versus the Intel Core i5-1145GRE’s 705, a delta of -50.1% meaning the Intel chip is less than half as fast.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1145GRE win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. Across the two head-to-head tests (Cinebench R15 multicore and singlecore), the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins both. The Intel part has zero head-to-head wins.

Q: Can the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 run without a discrete graphics card?

A: No, it has no integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-1145GRE includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, so it can output video without a separate GPU.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145GRE boosts to 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 boosts to 3.70 GHz. Despite this, the AMD chip wins the single-core benchmark (147 vs 99 in Cinebench R15).

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-1145GRE’s multiplier is locked.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i5-1145GRE offers 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part provides more lanes, though the Intel part uses a newer PCIe generation.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins everywhere the benchmarks overlap. It dominates in Cinebench R15 multicore (1414 vs 705) and singlecore (147 vs 99). For any CPU-bound workload that scales with cores — rendering, video encoding, scientific computation — the Ryzen 7 1700’s 8 cores and 16 threads provide roughly double the multi-threaded performance of the Intel chip. Its larger 16 MB L3 cache and higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 1.50 GHz) further support sustained multi-threaded throughput. The unlocked multiplier also gives it a path to even higher performance, provided the user has adequate cooling for its 65W TDP.

The Intel Core i5-1145GRE has no benchmark wins, but it wins on platform characteristics. Its 28W TDP is less than half of the AMD part’s 65W, making it the only realistic option for fanless or low-power mobile designs. Its integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU means a system can be built without a discrete GPU, which the Ryzen 7 1700 cannot do. The Intel chip also supports LPDDR4X memory, which is common in thin laptops, and its 10 nm process node is newer than the AMD part’s 14 nm. For a compact, low-power system where the iGPU is essential, the Core i5-1145GRE is the only choice — but the data clearly shows the Ryzen 7 1700 is the far stronger CPU for any performance-focused build.