AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i5-8500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8500T and AMD Ryzen 7 1700X represent two very different philosophies for a desktop CPU, and the benchmark data reflects that split cleanly. The Intel chip is a low-power, efficiency-focused part with a 35W TDP, while the AMD chip is a high-core-count, multi-threaded workhorse with a 95W TDP. The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins the majority of head-to-head tests, but the Intel i5-8500T takes a decisive victory in one key single-threaded metric. This comparison is not about a clear winner, but about which processor's strengths align with your specific workload.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear victor in heavily threaded workloads. Its advantage is massive, not marginal. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537, which is a staggering 56.9% higher than the i5-8500T's score of 662. This pattern continues in Geekbench multicore, where the AMD chip scores 5584 compared to Intel's 4293, a 23.1% lead. The Ryzen 7 1700X also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test, scoring 154 against the Intel's 93, a 39.6% advantage. If your work involves video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, or any task that can utilize all available cores and threads, the data strongly favors the AMD processor.

The Intel Core i5-8500T's only benchmark win is in the Geekbench single-core test, where it scores 1187 against the Ryzen 7 1700X's 1100. This 7.9% advantage is significant for applications that rely on a single thread's performance, such as older games, certain spreadsheet operations, or lightly-threaded productivity apps. However, it is important to note that the AMD chip wins the other single-core test (Cinebench R15) by a wide margin, making the Intel's single-core supremacy inconsistent across different benchmark suites. The i5-8500T's primary advantage is not raw performance, but its 35W TDP, which makes it a far more power-efficient choice for systems where heat output and energy consumption are primary concerns.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm process node, but they are architecturally distinct. The Intel Core i5-8500T is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, manufactured by Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X uses the Zen architecture (codenamed Summit Ridge), produced by GlobalFoundries. These different designs lead to significant structural differences. The Ryzen 7 1700X features 8 physical cores and 16 threads, while the i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. This core and thread advantage is the primary source of the AMD chip's dominance in multi-threaded tests.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 9 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X also has a much larger physical footprint, with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors, compared to the Intel part which has no listed die size or transistor count in the data. Feature-wise, the AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. The AMD chip also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. Intel compensates with integrated UHD 630 graphics, a feature the AMD processor lacks entirely.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data provides a clear picture of the performance chasm between these two CPUs. The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where its score of 1537 dwarfs the i5-8500T's 662. This represents a 56.9% performance deficit for the Intel part, a massive gap that will be felt in any heavily-threaded application. The Cinebench R15 single-core test is also a decisive win for AMD, with a score of 154 versus Intel's 93, a 39.6% difference. This is particularly notable because it contradicts the expectation that Intel parts usually lead in single-threaded performance.

In the Geekbench multicore test, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X again takes the lead, scoring 5584 against the Intel's 4293, a 23.1% advantage. This is a substantial margin, though not as extreme as the Cinebench R15 multicore result. The Intel Core i5-8500T's only victory comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1187 compared to the AMD's 1100. This 7.9% win is the sole bright spot for Intel in the direct comparison, but it is a solid result that indicates the Intel architecture has a tangible edge in certain single-threaded workloads. The data shows that the AMD chip is the dominant performer overall, but the Intel chip is not without its merits in specific scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster for video editing and rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is significantly faster. In the Cinebench R15 multicore benchmark, it scores 1537, which is 56.9% higher than the Intel Core i5-8500T's 662. This indicates a substantial advantage in heavily threaded rendering tasks.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8500T have any performance advantage?

A: Yes, in the Geekbench single-core test, the Intel chip scores 1187, which is 7.9% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X's 1100. This suggests it may be better for applications that rely heavily on a single processing thread.

Q: Can I use ECC memory with these CPUs?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8500T does not have ECC memory support, as indicated in the specifications.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500T has a TDP of 35W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has a TDP of 95W. The Intel part is designed for significantly lower power consumption and heat output.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X overclockable?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The Intel Core i5-8500T has a locked multiplier and does not support overclocking.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500T includes integrated UHD 630 graphics. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X does not have any integrated graphics, so a discrete graphics card is required.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8500T | AMD Ryzen 7 1700X |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 6 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 213 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

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

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $399 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the choice straightforward for most users. If your priority is multi-threaded performance for tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or running virtual machines, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the only logical choice. Its 56.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 23.1% lead in Geekbench multicore are overwhelming advantages. The additional cores, threads, and larger cache make it a far more capable processor for demanding workloads. The active production status and support for ECC memory further enhance its appeal for professional and server-like applications.

The Intel Core i5-8500T should be selected only if its specific strengths are your primary concern. Its 35W TDP makes it ideal for a compact, low-noise, or power-constrained build where energy efficiency is more important than raw performance. The 7.9% win in Geekbench single-core is a real advantage for some applications, but it is a narrow edge in a single test. The lack of overclocking support and the end-of-life production status are also points against it. For any user who does not have a strict power budget, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the superior processor based on the performance data.