AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i5-8259U Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X dominates the multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i5-8259U takes a single narrow victory in one specific test. Across the four shared benchmarks, the Ryzen 7 1700X wins three, with the Intel chip claiming just one.

The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R15 multicore. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537, while the Intel Core i5-8259U manages only 667. That is a 56.6% deficit for the Intel part, meaning the AMD chip delivers more than twice the multi-core rendering performance. This is the largest delta between the two processors in any test, and it reflects the fundamental difference in core counts between them.

Single-core performance in Cinebench R15 also favors the AMD chip, though by a smaller margin. The Ryzen 7 1700X scores 154 versus 94 for the Intel Core i5-8259U, a 39% advantage. This is notable because Intel traditionally holds the single-threaded advantage, but the data here shows AMD ahead in this legacy benchmark as well.

Geekbench multicore results continue the pattern. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X posts 5584 points, compared to 4168 for the Intel Core i5-8259U. That is a 25.4% advantage for AMD. The gap narrows considerably compared to Cinebench R15 multicore, but the Ryzen 7 1700X still holds a commanding lead.

The Intel Core i5-8259U's sole victory comes in Geekbench single-core. It scores 1207, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1100. That is a 9.7% advantage for Intel. This result is consistent with expectations for a newer architecture with higher clock speeds in single-threaded scenarios, even if the overall benchmark averages tell a different story.

Looking at the aggregate benchmark scores, the two processors are remarkably close. The Intel Core i5-8259U has an average benchmark score of 2108, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X sits at 2094. That is a difference of less than 1%, placing both chips in the same percentile tier at 46% versus all CPUs. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce this parity — the Intel chip's closest competitor, the Intel Core i5-8500T, scores 2110 (a 0.1% delta), while the AMD chip's closest rival, the Intel Core i3-8350K, scores 2096 (a 0.1% delta). Both processors effectively occupy the same performance tier despite their wildly different architectures and core configurations.

# Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear choice for heavily threaded workloads. Its 8 cores and 16 threads give it a massive advantage in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it outperforms the Intel chip by 56.6%. Any rendering, video encoding, or compilation task that scales across cores will favor the AMD part. The Geekbench multicore result, a 25.4% lead, confirms this advantage extends to more general multi-threaded applications. For users running parallel workloads, the Ryzen 7 1700X is the obvious pick based on the data.

The Intel Core i5-8259U wins in precisely one scenario: Geekbench single-core. Its 9.7% advantage there suggests that lightly threaded applications — legacy software, certain games, or single-threaded productivity tools — will see better responsiveness on the Intel chip. However, the Cinebench R15 single-core result contradicts this, with AMD leading by 39%. This inconsistency makes it difficult to declare a definitive single-threaded winner across all workloads. The Geekbench result is the more modern test, so Intel's advantage there carries weight, but it is the only test where Intel leads.

For users who prioritize a balanced profile, the aggregate scores tell the real story. Both processors land within 14 points of each other on average benchmark score (2108 vs 2094), which is essentially a statistical tie. The Intel Core i5-8259U achieves this parity with 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X needs 8 cores and 16 threads to match it. This suggests Intel's per-core efficiency is superior, but AMD's raw core count compensates in multi-threaded tests.

The mobile versus desktop distinction is also critical. The Intel Core i5-8259U is a 28W mobile part, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is a 95W desktop processor. The Intel chip delivers near-parity in average benchmark scores while consuming far less power, which makes it the better fit for laptops and compact systems. The AMD chip, with its higher power envelope, is better suited for desktop builds where cooling and power delivery are less constrained.

# Architecture Differences

The architectural divergence between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i5-8259U uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-U variant, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, meanwhile, uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) from AMD's 1000 series, also built on a 14 nm process but manufactured by GlobalFoundries rather than Intel. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

The cache hierarchies differ markedly. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a much larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This gives the Ryzen 7 1700X a significant cache advantage, particularly in L3 capacity, which helps with data-heavy workloads. The die sizes also reflect the different designs: Intel's chip measures 126 mm², while AMD's is considerably larger at 213 mm². AMD's chip contains 4,800 million transistors, while Intel's transistor count is not listed.

Memory support is another differentiator. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration, but the AMD chip offers higher memory bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for the Intel part. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Core i5-8259U includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Plus 655), while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the Intel chip self-contained for basic display output, while the AMD chip requires a discrete GPU. The Intel chip is also not multiplier-unlocked, whereas the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Intel part uses the BGA 1526 socket (mobile), while the AMD chip uses the AM4 socket (desktop).

# FAQ

Q: Which processor performs better in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins all multi-core benchmarks. It scores 1537 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 667 for the Intel Core i5-8259U (a 56.6% lead) and 5584 in Geekbench multicore versus 4168 (a 25.4% lead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8259U win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins Geekbench single-core, scoring 1207 versus 1100 for the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, a 9.7% advantage. However, it loses Cinebench R15 single-core (94 vs 154).

Q: Are these processors in the same performance tier?

A: Yes, their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The Intel Core i5-8259U averages 2108, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X averages 2094. Both sit at the 46th percentile versus all CPUs.

Q: Do these chips support the same memory features?

A: Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration, but the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X offers higher bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) and ECC memory support, which the Intel chip lacks.

Q: Can the Intel chip work without a dedicated GPU?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-8259U includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Plus 655), while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: Is the AMD chip overclockable?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-8259U is not multiplier-unlocked.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8259U | AMD Ryzen 7 1700X |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1526 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen |

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

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 213 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,800 million |

| 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 | 38.4 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Plus 655 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-04-04 | 2017-03-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $320 | $399 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRCKBSRCUU | YD170XBCAEWOF |