AMD Ryzen 7 2800H vs Intel Core i5-8279U Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H outperforms the Intel Core i5-8279U across every single measured workload, though the margins are consistently narrow. The AMD part wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with deltas ranging from -9% to -9.3% in Intel's favor (meaning AMD leads by roughly 9% in each test). This is a rare case where a lower-TDP part (15W vs 28W) also delivers superior performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H takes a clean sweep, but the victories are not landslides. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 697 against Intel's 634, a 9% advantage. Single-core R15 shows the same pattern: 98 vs 89, a 9.2% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, AMD again wins multi-core with 2907 against 2643 (-9.1%) and single-core with 410 against 372 (-9.3%). The Cinebench R23 results mirror this exactly: AMD leads multi-core 6922 to 6294 (-9.1%) and single-core 977 to 888 (-9.1%).

The consistency is striking. Every delta falls between -9% and -9.3%, suggesting a uniform performance gap rather than workload-specific strengths. AMD's wins are broad-based, covering both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios. The Intel chip never scores higher in any test — winsA is 0, winsB is 6. For a user choosing between these two, the data says the AMD part is faster in every measurable way, but the difference is modest enough that real-world perception may vary depending on the application.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use a 14 nm process node, but they come from different foundries: Intel fabricates the i5-8279U in-house, while GlobalFoundries produces the Ryzen 7 2800H. The Intel part is built on the Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake-U codename), while AMD uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename. The Intel chip packs 2,300 million transistors into a 126 mm² die, whereas the AMD chip has no listed transistor count but occupies a substantially larger 246 mm² die — roughly double the silicon area.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. AMD doubles the per-core L1 to 128 KB and L2 to 512 KB, but shares only 4 MB of L3. This means AMD has more fast per-core cache but less shared cache for inter-core communication. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode; Intel lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while AMD does not provide a comparable figure.

The integrated graphics are another divergence: Intel pairs the CPU with Iris Pro Plus 655, while AMD includes Radeon RX Vega 11. Both are mobile parts with 4 cores and 8 threads, but the sockets are incompatible — Intel BGA 1526 versus AMD Socket FP5. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is off the table for both.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins everywhere in the benchmark suite, so the use-case split is straightforward. For any workload that relies on raw CPU throughput — whether single-threaded responsiveness or multi-threaded rendering — the data favors AMD. The Cinebench scores are the only benchmarks provided, but they cover both single-core and multi-core scenarios, and AMD leads in all six. The Intel i5-8279U has no benchmark win to claim.

However, context matters beyond raw CPU scores. The Intel part has a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.80 GHz) and a lower base clock (2.40 GHz vs 3.40 GHz), which suggests different power management behavior. The AMD chip runs at a higher base frequency but boosts less aggressively. The Intel chip's higher TDP (28W vs 15W) indicates it can sustain higher power draw, yet that does not translate into performance superiority in these tests. If a workload is not represented by Cinebench — such as certain GPU-accelerated tasks — the integrated graphics difference (Iris Pro Plus 655 vs Radeon RX Vega 11) could shift the balance, but no benchmark data covers that.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8279U | AMD Ryzen 7 2800H |

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

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 28W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1526 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-U | Raven Ridge |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 2,300 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 246 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 128 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 6 MB shared | 4 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Plus 655 | Radeon RX Vega 11 |

| Release Date | 2019-04-02 | 2018-05-29 |

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

| Launch MSRP | $320 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SREZ0 | Not listed |

The table above captures only fields where the two differ. Both have 4 cores, 8 threads, 14 nm process, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, and no unlocked multiplier. The AMD chip is older (released 2018 vs 2019) and remains in active production, while Intel's part is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H averages 2002 across all benchmarks, while the Intel Core i5-8279U averages 1987. AMD's percentile rank is 45, versus Intel's 44.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: AMD scores 6922 against Intel's 6294, a 9.1% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel chip has a 28W TDP, while the AMD chip has a 15W TDP. This is notable because AMD achieves higher performance despite the lower thermal envelope.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The differences lie in clock speeds, cache, and architecture.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: Intel has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while AMD has 4 MB. AMD compensates with larger per-core L1 (128 KB vs 64 KB) and L2 (512 KB vs 256 KB) caches.

Q: Is the Intel processor still in production?

A: No, it is marked as end-of-life. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is listed as active production.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: choose the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H if raw CPU performance is your only criterion. It wins every benchmark by roughly 9%, achieves a higher average score (2002 vs 1987), and holds a better percentile rank (45 vs 44). The lower TDP (15W vs 28W) makes its lead even more impressive, as it delivers more performance while drawing less power. The AMD chip also remains in active production, while Intel's part is end-of-life.

The Intel Core i5-8279U does retain some advantages: a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.80 GHz), more L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), a documented memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Its launch MSRP was $320, and it has a smaller die (126 mm² vs 246 mm²), which could matter for manufacturing efficiency. But none of these translate into benchmark wins.

For a user prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, AMD is the clear pick. For single-threaded responsiveness, AMD also leads, albeit by a similar 9% margin. The only reason to favor Intel would be specific platform requirements — the socket, integrated graphics, or PCIe configuration — none of which are validated by performance data in this pack. The verdict is decisive: the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is the better processor by every measured metric.