AMD Ryzen 7 4980U vs Intel Core i7-8700B Comparison

The benchmark data presents a split decision between the Intel Core i7-8700B and the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U, with each processor claiming two wins in the head-to-head comparison. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U dominates the older Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel Core i7-8700B takes the newer Cinebench R23 tests. This indicates that workload and benchmark generation significantly influence which processor comes out ahead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory belongs to the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U in the Cinebench R15 multicore test. The AMD scores 1658 points compared to the Intel’s 1005 points, a massive 39.4% advantage. This is a substantial gap that shows the Ryzen 7 4980U’s 8 cores and 16 threads providing a clear throughput advantage over the Intel’s 6 cores and 12 threads in this particular workload. The Intel Core i7-8700B is not just slightly behind; it is trailing by a significant margin that indicates a fundamental performance disparity in this test.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U also wins the Cinebench R15 singlecore test, though by a smaller margin. It scores 182 points against the Intel’s 141 points, a 22.5% lead. This result is notable because single-core performance is often considered a stronghold for Intel architectures, yet the data shows the AMD part with a clear edge in this older benchmark. The AMD’s higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, combined with the efficiency of the Zen 2 architecture, appears to give it the advantage here.

However, the narrative flips completely when looking at the Cinebench R23 results. The Intel Core i7-8700B wins the multicore test with a score of 9977, versus the AMD’s 9164. This gives Intel an 8.9% lead. This is a significant reversal from the R15 multicore result, where AMD was ahead by nearly 40%. The data suggests that the newer R23 workload scales differently with the two architectures, likely favoring the Intel’s higher power envelope and potentially different instruction-level efficiency.

The Intel Core i7-8700B also takes the Cinebench R23 singlecore test, scoring 1408 against the AMD’s 1260. This is an 11.7% advantage for Intel. This result directly contradicts the R15 singlecore outcome, where AMD was ahead by 22.5%. The shift in the winner between R15 and R23 singlecore tests highlights how benchmark software updates can change the performance hierarchy, making it difficult to declare a universal winner in single-threaded tasks.

With two wins each, the head-to-head is tied. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the clear winner in the older Cinebench R15 suite, while the Intel Core i7-8700B is the clear winner in the newer Cinebench R23 suite. The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity, with the Intel averaging 3086 and the AMD averaging 3066. The Intel Core i7-8700B’s nearest rival, the Intel Xeon W-2133, has an average score of 3087, a 0% delta, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U’s nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3, has an identical average score of 3066.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on which benchmark generation you prioritize. If your workflow relies on software that is similar to Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the superior choice. Its performance in that test is overwhelmingly better, with a 39.4% lead in multicore and a 22.5% lead in singlecore. The data clearly shows that for older, multi-threaded applications, the AMD’s extra cores and threads provide a massive advantage.

Conversely, if your software is more representative of Cinebench R23, the Intel Core i7-8700B is the better option. It leads by 8.9% in multicore and 11.7% in singlecore. This suggests that for modern workloads, the Intel processor’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz and 65W TDP allow it to sustain performance better than the 15W AMD part. The Intel’s performance is more competitive in this newer test, even with fewer cores.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded performance in legacy applications, the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the data-driven pick. For users who run modern applications or prioritize single-threaded performance in the newest benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-8700B is the winner. The Intel’s wins in the R23 suite are more relevant for future-proofing, but the AMD’s wins in R15 are too large to ignore for compatibility with older software. Ultimately, the data does not support a single overall winner; it supports a workload-specific choice.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is clear: the Intel Core i7-8700B is built on Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U uses AMD’s Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. This process difference is significant, with the AMD part using a much smaller manufacturing process. The Intel chip has a die size of 154 mm², while the AMD chip is slightly larger at 156 mm², which is notable given the smaller process node.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Intel Core i7-8700B has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has 8 cores and 16 threads. This gives the AMD part a 33% advantage in core count. The cache hierarchies also differ. Both have a 64 KB L1 cache per core, but the Intel has a 256 KB L2 cache per core, while the AMD has a larger 512 KB L2 cache per core. For L3 cache, the Intel has 12 MB shared, while the AMD has 8 MB shared. This means the Intel has a larger pool of shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics are another point of differentiation. The Intel uses UHD Graphics 630, while the AMD uses Radeon Graphics 512SP. The AMD’s graphics solution is part of its Zen 2 APU design, which is optimized for mobile. The memory support also differs, with the Intel supporting DDR4 and the AMD supporting LPDDR4. The Intel’s memory bandwidth is rated at 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD’s is 34.1 GB/s, giving the Intel a bandwidth advantage.

The transistor count is a major divergence. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is listed with 9,800 million transistors, while the Intel Core i7-8700B has no transistor count listed in the data. This highlights the design differences, with the AMD chip integrating more complex functionality on a smaller node. The PCIe support also differs, with the Intel having Gen 3 with 16 Lanes (CPU only), while the AMD has Gen 3 without a specified lane count.

Specification Differences

The specifications show a clear split in power and form factor. The Intel Core i7-8700B has a TDP of 65W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has a TDP of 15W. This is a massive difference, indicating the Intel is designed for desktop use with higher power delivery, while the AMD is a low-power mobile part. The base clocks differ significantly, with the Intel at 3.20 GHz and the AMD at 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz). However, the boost clocks are closer, with the Intel at 4.60 GHz and the AMD at 4.40 GHz.

The sockets are incompatible: the Intel uses Intel BGA 1440, while the AMD uses AMD Socket FP6. This means they are not interchangeable in any system. The market segments confirm this, with the Intel listed as a Desktop part and the AMD as a Mobile part. The release dates also differ, with the Intel released on 2018-04-02 and the AMD on 2021-04-12. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $303, while the AMD has no launch MSRP listed.

The memory bus is dual-channel for both, but the supported memory types differ (DDR4 vs LPDDR4). Neither supports ECC memory. Both have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking. The part numbers differ (SRCX2 for Intel, 100-000000354 for AMD), and the production status for both is listed as End-of-life. The AMD is part of the 4000 series, while the Intel has no series listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-8700B has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD has a higher core and thread count.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The largest gap is in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U scores 1658 against the Intel’s 1005, giving the AMD a 39.4% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-8700B win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test with a score of 9977 (8.9% ahead) and the Cinebench R23 singlecore test with a score of 1408 (11.7% ahead).

Q: What are the TDPs of the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B has a TDP of 65W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U has a TDP of 15W. The Intel consumes significantly more power.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B is built on a 14 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is built on a 7 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U’s boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U is the clear winner for workloads that resemble Cinebench R15. Its 39.4% lead in multicore performance makes it the superior choice for older multi-threaded applications, such as legacy video rendering or batch processing. The 22.5% lead in singlecore R15 also indicates an advantage in older single-threaded tasks. This processor is for users who run established software that does not take advantage of the newer R23 optimizations.

The Intel Core i7-8700B wins in the Cinebench R23 suite. Its 8.9% lead in multicore and 11.7% lead in singlecore make it the better choice for modern applications. The higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz and higher TDP of 65W suggest it can sustain performance in demanding, contemporary workloads. This is the processor for users who run the latest software versions and need maximum performance in current benchmark generations.

The data shows a clear trade-off between power efficiency and raw performance. The AMD Ryzen 7 4980U’s 15W TDP makes it ideal for mobile or low-power systems, where its performance in R15 is exceptional. The Intel Core i7-8700B’s 65W TDP is suited for desktop systems where power is less of a constraint, and its R23 performance is superior. The choice is not about which is better overall, but which benchmark generation aligns with your specific software needs.