AMD Ryzen 7 1700 vs Intel Core i5-8279U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8279U and AMD Ryzen 7 1700 are two very different processors. The i5-8279U is a 28-watt mobile chip with integrated graphics, while the Ryzen 7 1700 is a 65-watt desktop chip with eight cores. The database records four head-to-head benchmarks, and the results are one-sided: AMD wins three of them, including both Cinebench tests and Geekbench multicore, while Intel takes a single win in Geekbench single-core. Despite that, the two CPUs sit at nearly the same overall percentile, with the Ryzen 7 1700 at 45 and the i5-8279U at 44, and their average benchmark scores are close: 2015 for AMD versus 1987 for Intel.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is the stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads. It leads by 55.2% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 39.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and 31.3% in Geekbench multicore. The Intel Core i5-8279U only wins Geekbench single-core, with an 18.2% advantage. For anyone running rendering, compilation, or other parallel tasks, the Ryzen 7 1700 is the clear choice. For single-threaded Geekbench performance, the i5-8279U has the edge, but that is the only test it wins. The Ryzen 7 1700 also has a higher average benchmark score (2015 vs 1987) and a slightly higher percentile (45 vs 44). The i5-8279U is a mobile processor (market segment: Mobile) while the Ryzen 7 1700 is a desktop processor (market segment: Desktop). If you are building a desktop, the data points to the Ryzen 7 1700. If you need a laptop part, the i5-8279U is the one that fits that form factor, but its performance is lower in most recorded tests.

Looking at the broader database, both CPUs sit in the same performance tier. The i5-8279U has a percentile of 44 and an average score of 1987, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B (1986, 0.1% difference) and the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 (1989, -0.1%). The Ryzen 7 1700 has a percentile of 45 and an average score of 2015, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1807B (2012, 0.2%) and the Intel Core i5-1145GRE (2025, -0.5%). This means that despite the head-to-head results, the two are not far apart in overall average performance, but the specific workloads tested show a clear advantage for AMD in most cases.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on a 14 nm process, but they come from different foundries: Intel for the i5-8279U and GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen 7 1700. The i5-8279U uses the Coffee Lake architecture (codename Coffee Lake-U) and packs 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen 7 1700 uses the Zen architecture (codename Zen, Summit Ridge) and offers 8 cores and 16 threads. The transistor counts reflect the difference: 2,300 million for Intel versus 4,800 million for AMD, with die sizes of 126 mm² and 213 mm² respectively. Cache hierarchies also differ: the i5-8279U has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 6 MB shared L3. The Ryzen 7 1700 has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 16 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher on the AMD part: 42.7 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s, though both use dual-channel DDR4. The i5-8279U includes integrated Iris Pro Plus 655 graphics, while the Ryzen 7 1700 has no integrated graphics. ECC memory is supported on the Ryzen 7 1700 but not on the i5-8279U. The i5-8279U is socketed in Intel BGA 1526 (mobile), while the Ryzen 7 1700 uses AMD Socket AM4 (desktop). The Ryzen 7 1700 has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-8279U does not. Production status: the i5-8279U is end-of-life, the Ryzen 7 1700 is active. Release dates: the i5-8279U launched on 2019-04-02, the Ryzen 7 1700 on 2017-03-01. The i5-8279U has a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.70 GHz) but a lower base clock (2.40 GHz vs 3.00 GHz).

Where Each One Wins

In the head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins three of four tests. It takes Cinebench R15 multicore with 1414 points against 634 for Intel, a 55.2% deficit for Intel. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 147 versus 89, a 39.5% deficit. In Geekbench multicore, AMD scores 5475 versus 3764, a 31.3% deficit. The Intel Core i5-8279U wins only Geekbench single-core, scoring 1209 against 1023, an 18.2% lead. The database also records additional Cinebench R20 and R23 scores for the i5-8279U (2643 and 6294 respectively), but no corresponding AMD results are present for comparison. So the recorded wins are clear: AMD dominates multi-threaded and even single-threaded Cinebench, while Intel has a single-core Geekbench advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 supports ECC memory (eccMemory: true), while the Intel Core i5-8279U does not.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U includes Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has an average benchmark score of 2015, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has 1987.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U was released on 2019-04-02, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 was released on 2017-03-01.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database includes four direct comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 1414, more than double the i5-8279U's 634. The delta is -55.2% for Intel, meaning Intel is 55.2% behind. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 147 against 89, a 39.5% deficit for Intel. In Geekbench multicore, the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 5475 versus 3764, a 31.3% deficit. The only Intel win is Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1209 against 1023, an 18.2% lead. These results show that the Ryzen 7 1700's extra cores and threads translate into large multi-threaded advantages, and even in single-threaded Cinebench it is ahead. The Geekbench single-core test is the one area where Intel's higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.70 GHz) appears to help.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-8279U | AMD Ryzen 7 1700 |

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

| Series | null | 1000 series |

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1526 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-U | Zen (Summit Ridge) |

| Generation | Core i5 (Coffee Lake-U) | Ryzen 7 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 2,300 million | 4,800 million |

| Die size | 126 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | false | true |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Pro Plus 655 | null |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2019-04-02 | 2017-03-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $320 | $329 |

| Multiplier unlocked | false | true |

| Part number | SREZ0 | YD1700BBAEBOX |