AMD Ryzen 7 3700U vs Intel Pentium Gold G5500T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and Intel Pentium Gold G5500T are two processors that, despite landing in the same 26th percentile of all CPUs, serve completely different purposes. The data shows a 4-core mobile APU from AMD going up against a 2-core desktop chip from Intel, and the benchmark results are decisively one-sided. This comparison hinges on core count, power envelope, and platform, rather than any subtle architectural parity.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark in the data is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, and the result is a landslide. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672 points, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T manages just 282 points. That is a delta of 138.3% in favor of the AMD part. In practical terms, the Ryzen 7 3700U delivers more than double the multi-threaded rendering performance of the Pentium Gold in this specific workload.

This massive gap is entirely predictable from the core and thread counts. The Ryzen 7 3700U offers 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the Pentium Gold G5500T is limited to 2 cores and 4 threads. Multi-core workloads scale with parallel resources, and the AMD chip has twice the logical threads to throw at the task.

For single-core performance, the data is less direct but still informative. The Ryzen 7 3700U scores 139 in Cinebench R15 single-core and 682 in Geekbench single-core. The Pentium Gold G5500T does not have a Cinebench R15 single-core result, but it scores 165 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 395 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel chip’s higher base clock of 3.20 GHz gives it a per-thread advantage, but the Ryzen 7 3700U can boost up to 4.00 GHz, which narrows the gap in short bursts.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The Ryzen 7 3700U averages 968 points, while the Pentium Gold G5500T averages 963 points. The AMD chip is only 0.5% ahead on average, but that figure masks the fact that the AMD part’s results come from heavier multi-threaded tests, while the Intel part leans on its single-core strength. The overall picture is clear: the Ryzen 7 3700U is the superior multi-threaded processor, while the Pentium Gold G5500T holds its own in lightly threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, and fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Pentium Gold G5500T uses the Coffee Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 126 mm².

Core configuration is the most obvious split. The Ryzen 7 3700U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5500T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Cache layouts also differ. The AMD chip provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip offers 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, also with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part’s larger per-core caches help feed its extra threads.

Power and platform are major differentiators. The Ryzen 7 3700U has a 15 W TDP and fits into the AMD Socket FP5, targeting mobile systems. The Pentium Gold G5500T has a 35 W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1151, marking it as a desktop part. The Intel chip supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but the Intel part lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the AMD part does not specify a bandwidth figure.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Ryzen 7 3700U includes Radeon Vega 10 graphics, while the Pentium Gold G5500T carries UHD Graphics 630. Both are capable of basic display output, but the AMD part’s Vega 10 is a more substantial integrated GPU, consistent with its mobile APU positioning. Production status further separates them: the Ryzen 7 3700U is active, while the Pentium Gold G5500T is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 3700U wins in every multi-threaded scenario. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result shows 138.3% more performance than the Pentium Gold G5500T, which translates directly to faster video rendering, code compilation, and any workload that can use more than two cores. The 4-core, 8-thread design is the clear choice for users who run parallel tasks on a laptop.

The Pentium Gold G5500T wins in lightly threaded tasks and efficiency per core. Its 3.20 GHz base clock is higher than the Ryzen 7 3700U’s 2.30 GHz base clock, and its single-core scores in Cinebench R20 (165) and Cinebench R23 (395) indicate respectable per-thread performance. For older software, basic office work, or web browsing that runs on one or two threads, the Intel chip does not feel sluggish.

The Intel chip also wins on memory bandwidth specification, listing 38.4 GB/s versus no figure for the AMD part. ECC memory support is another Intel advantage, which matters for users building a low-cost server or workstation that needs error-correcting memory. The Ryzen 7 3700U cannot be used in such a configuration.

The AMD chip wins on power efficiency. Its 15 W TDP is less than half of the Pentium Gold G5500T’s 35 W TDP, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where heat and battery life are critical. The Intel part is a desktop chip that expects a larger cooling solution and a power supply that can handle 35 W.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is significantly faster, scoring 672 in Cinebench R15 multi-core compared to the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T’s 282, a 138.3% advantage.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Intel Pentium Gold G5500T lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U does not specify a bandwidth figure.

Q: Can the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T use ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T has ECC memory support. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U does not support ECC memory.

Q: Why is the AMD chip’s average benchmark score higher than the Intel chip’s?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has an average benchmark score of 968, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T averages 963. The AMD part’s advantage comes from its 4 cores and 8 threads, which boost multi-threaded test scores.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core clock speed?

A: The Intel Pentium Gold G5500T has a base clock of 3.20 GHz with no boost clock listed. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has a base clock of 2.30 GHz but boosts up to 4.00 GHz.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has an active production status, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload and platform. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is the pick for anyone needing multi-threaded performance in a mobile form factor. Its 138.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core over the Pentium Gold G5500T is decisive, and its 15 W TDP makes it the only viable choice for a laptop. The 4-core, 8-thread design handles modern multitasking and content creation far better than the Intel part.

The Intel Pentium Gold G5500T is the pick for a desktop build where single-threaded responsiveness matters more than raw core count. Its 3.20 GHz base clock and single-core scores in Cinebench R20 (165) and Cinebench R23 (395) show it can handle everyday tasks without issue. Its 35 W TDP is acceptable for a desktop, and ECC memory support gives it a niche advantage for budget servers or reliability-focused builds.

Do not choose the Pentium Gold G5500T for heavy parallel workloads. The 2-core, 4-thread configuration is a bottleneck compared to the Ryzen 7 3700U’s 4-core, 8-thread setup. Conversely, do not choose the Ryzen 7 3700U if you need ECC memory or if you are building a desktop and want a higher base clock for single-threaded tasks. The benchmark data does not support the Intel chip as a multi-core performer, but it does support it as a capable single-threaded desktop processor.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 3700U | Intel Pentium Gold G5500T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | None |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen+ | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 126 mm² |

| Transistors | 4,940 million | None listed |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Memory Bandwidth | None listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 10 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2019-01-05 | 2018-04-01 |

| Launch MSRP | None listed | $75 |